Gift contributes to UI’s <em>For Iowa. Forever More.</em> fundraising campaign, which has reached $1.18 billion of its $1.7 billion goal

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Friday, January 17, 2014
Written by: UI Foundation

On Jan. 15, the brothers of Teresa (Sharer) Benoit presented the final installment of a gift from their sister totaling more than $1 million to the University of Iowa Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center. Jack Sharer and Michael (“Mick”) Sharer presented the gift to representatives of the FOE Diabetes Research Center in honor of Teresa, who had diabetes most of her life and passed away on March 28, 2013.

Four people, one holding a donation check
Jack Sharer (left), and Michael (“Mick”) Sharer (second from right), present the final installment of a gift totaling more than $1 million to Daryl Granner, M.D., and Kathleen Barbee of the UI FOE Diabetes Research Center. Photos by Jill Tobin, UI Foundation.

Teresa (Sharer) Benoit of Laurel, Iowa, was a patient at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and directed that a portion of her estate be given to further research of relevance to type 1 Diabetes at the FOE Diabetes Research Center. The center’s goal is to advance research into the causes, prevention and treatment of diabetes. E. Dale Abel, M.D., D.Phil., director of the FOE Diabetes Research Center, says: “In my first year at Iowa, I have had the opportunity to discover the remarkable support that Iowans give to the university and to medical research. This generous gift will make a tremendous difference in the search for a cure for diabetes and better treatments of its complications. We vow to work diligently to merit the confidence placed in us by Teresa and the Sharer family.”

Jack and Mick Sharer, with portrait of their sister, Teresa (Sharer) Benoit
Jack Sharer (left) and his brother, Michael (“Mick”) Sharer, with a portrait of their sister, Teresa (Sharer) Benoit. Teresa, who passed away on March 28, 2013, was diagnosed with diabetes at age 11, and struggled with the disease her entire life.

“Diabetes is a terrible, terrible disease, and our sister really struggled with it,” says Mick Sharer. “I’m convinced that the UI is doing the right things, and I hope that this gift will make a difference.”

The FOE Diabetes Research Center, which will be housed in the newly constructed Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building on the UI campus, will celebrate its grand opening this fall. The center currently has more than 100 investigators collaborating on diabetes research.

About the University of Iowa Foundation


The UI Foundation’s mission is to advance the UIand fulfill the aspirations of those it serves. The university’s dedicated contributors fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships, breakthrough research and life-changing health care to innovative facilities, community outreach and global education.

The UI and UI Foundation are conducting a historic comprehensive $1.7 billion fundraising campaign, For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa, which will secure the UI’s status as a world-class institution for future generations.

The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the University of Iowa. For more information about the foundation and the campaign, visit the foundation website.