Trustees

DRWF was established in the USA in 1993 by two people with a very personal connection with type 1 diabetes. Having two children diagnosed with the condition made for a commitment and dedication to the cause from Mike Gretschel and his business partner, John Alahouzos, that has never wavered and remains true to its original desire - to find a cure for diabetes.

In 1998, DRWF was incorporated and registered as a charity in the UK and has since become a recognised provider of awareness, educational support programmes and leading funder of diabetes research in the UK and around the world.

The DRWF Board of Trustees are an engaged and committed group of individuals who bring a significant level of expertise to the governance of the charity in the fields of law, business strategy and management, international fundraising, psychology, healthcare and education.

Michael Gretschel
Co-Founder
Chairman of the Board
Volunteer fundraiser for diabetes research for over 30 years

John Alahouzos
Co-Founder
Volunteer fundraiser for diabetes research since 1978

Jeffrey Harab
Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctor. Attorney-at-Law, 1979

Valerie Hussey
Retired Nurse, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

Rae-Marie Lawson
Retired Psychotherapist MA.Dip; CertEd., Walsall College, West Midlands. Rae was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than 30 years ago and experienced a debilitating lack of hypo awareness which impacted on all aspects of her life. She received two islet cell transplants at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism (OCDEM) which houses the DRWF Human Islet Isolation Facility in 2010 and has been insulin injection free since then.