Establishment of the foundation

The Rolf Luft Foundation for Diabetes Research was established in 2004 by Professor Rolf Luft and Professor Kerstin Brismar and has as its main goal to support diabetes research.

In 2004, the state and major research funds invested too little in diabetes research in Sweden. To improve the situation for diabetics and reduce the risk of sequelae, more research is required. For this reason, the foundation was formed. The foundation’s primary goal is still to support research into diabetes and its sequelae.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also be accompanied by a number of health problems (sequelae), so-called late complications. Some of the health problems that people with diabetes often suffer from are: cardiovascular disease, stroke, nerve damage, eye damage, kidney problems, reduced circulation and hard-to-heal wounds. Diabetes is thus a complex disease that requires both basic research and clinical translational research to be able to provide successful care in different ways.

Fortunately, many significant advances have been made in the last 20 years, and the treatment of diabetes has improved significantly, thanks to intensive research. But the disease still causes great suffering for those affected. The disease also entails large costs for society in the form of healthcare etc. Thus, there is still a need for more research to reduce the risk of the onset of diabetes and its sequelae, as well as to improve the living conditions of those affected.