There's new hope in the battle against Type 1 Diabetes, the form that attacks young children. Now local researchers are taking a step closer to defeating the disease.

Four brothers are all rolling up their sleeves for science. They're participating in a multinational study being launched locally at the Benaroya Research Institute.  

"The goal of the study is to identify people, who are at risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes, and see if we can prevent them or delay the onset of their disease,” said Dr. Carla Greenbaum of Benaroya Research Institute.

Type 1 Diabetes is on the rise. The biggest increase is in children under five. Researchers want to know if a daily dose of oral insulin can offer protection. In a small preliminary study, the therapy proved safe. And in some people, it delayed the onset of symptoms by more than four years.     

If it works for kids in this large trial, it could be revolutionary. Kids with Type 1 Diabetes live with multiple daily insulin injections to manage their disease.

“Type 1 Diabetes requires every day, constant vigilance of that child,” Dr. Greenbaum said. “The child can't go on sleepovers, can't go to camp, can't even get to school without being sure that there's someone there that can take care of your child.”

Gabrielle Evans Lombe knows her sons are at higher risk because of family history. She has lived with diabetes since she was eight.

"I pray every day that they don't get it,” she said.

Scientists will take blood samples each year from the boys. If they find markers that signal diabetes is likely to develop, that boy will start on either insulin or a placebo as part of the study.

The oldest, Alexander, says it's worth it, to battle a disease that has no cure. And his family is committed to helping researchers until the youngest is grown.

“If we can prevent it, a lot of people will have better lives," Alexander said.

People can join the government funded study on oral insulin at sites all across the country, and internationally.    

Check out the above link or call 1-800-888-4187.