News Releases

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh officially announced today the opening of the hospital’s John G. Rangos Sr.–Massimo M. Trucco, MD, Diabetes Research Laboratory. The state-of-the-art lab is a dedicated resource for local investigators searching for a cure for Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.

The lab will be directed by Massimo M. Trucco, MD, Children’s Henry L. Hillman Professor of Pediatric Immunology and the director of pediatric research at the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute. It was constructed using part of a $3 million gift Mr. Rangos contributed to help speed the search for a cure. The remainder of the Rangos donation is being used for equipment and other lab expenses. The lab is located in the John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center at Children’s Hospital that was made possible by previous funding donated by Mr. Rangos.

The new 10,000-square-foot lab has a unique design that is intended to enhance creativity and teamwork. “Where possible, the laboratory was constructed with glass,” says Dr. Trucco. “This was done for practical and philosophical purposes. The sunlit atmosphere is very different from what you find in most modern laboratories,” says Dr. Trucco. In addition, the glass walls provide focus for the entire team. “We are all committed to one goal: finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes,” adds Dr. Trucco.

“John Rangos has always been a visionary and a very generous man,” says Ronald L. Violi, Children’s chairman and CEO. “This is one of his most meaningful contributions to date. Dr. Trucco might well be the investigator to find the cure for juvenile diabetes. And with John Rangos’ leadership and generosity, the cure will be a reality sooner than later.”

Type 1 diabetes is an acute disease that requires serious study if a cure is to be discovered. Dr. Trucco’s previous work has attracted national and international attention and has garnered tremendous financial support. Dedicated public and private funding for Type 1 diabetes at Children’s Hospital totals $35 million. Benefactors include the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health and other private donors. The Rangos gift marks the single largest contribution from any individual.

Contact:
Mike Laffin, 412-692-5016, Mike.Laffin@chp.edu