Building & Construction Trades Department

Dollars Against Diabetes is an annual campaign organized by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO. With the help of State and Local Councils around the country, the D.a.d.’s Day campaign has been able to donate over $21 million dollars to the Diabetes Research Institute, located at the University of Miami in
Miami, Florida.


How it Began

• D.a.d.'s Day was created in 1987 by the AFL-CIO in an effort to help a small group of parents with children suffering from diabetes.
• These parents dreamed of building a state-of-the-art research facility that would focus on finding a cure for the disease.

Recognition for Dollars Against Diabetes

• The D.a.d.'s Day campaign has been recognized on a nation level by U.S. Senators, Cabinet members, Governors, and even the President of the United States.

Making Dreams Come True

• Through bucket collections, walkathons, motorcycle rallies, golf tournaments and more the Building and Construction Trades Community raised the funds necessary to build the Diabetes Research Institute.
• The Diabetes Research Institute was built 100% union and opened its doors in February of 1994. It is now recognized internationally as the most advanced research center of its kind.

Continuing to Contribute

• The BCTD, AFL-CIO did not stop when the construction of the DRI was complete. Community members and supporters have continued to raise money in hopes of finding a cure for diabetes.
• To date, the D.a.d.'s Day campaign alone has raised over $21 million dollars for diabetes research. The BCTD, AFL-CIO has contributed over $40 million total.

About Diabetes

• Diabetes is the only disease in America that continues to inflict and increasing number of people. Today, over 24 million Americans suffer from this life-threatening disease. Caused by the bodies inability to create or effectively use it’s own insulin, diabetes is a disease that must be managed every day of it’s victims life. Through insulin shots and diet modification, many people are able to control the disease. However if untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, amputations, coma and even death. For more information about diabetes visit www.diabetesresearch.org.

D.a.d.’s Day 2009

• This Father’s Day Weekend you can make a difference in the lives of the 24 millions Americans suffering from diabetes. Help carry on a union tradition by supporting your communities D.a.d.'s Day event. Every dollar raised brings us a step closer to finding a cure for diabetes.