2013 Award Recipients
Thomas Sr. & Jacqueline McInerney

The 2013 Promise Ball marks the 14th year in which the Jane Jospey Cobb Promise Award
will be presented. This award is bestowed to individuals and/or corporations who have
distinguished themselves in advancing the mission of the JDRF through their support
of research and education about research.

We are pleased to recognize the following past recipients who have received this honor:

2012: Ron & Carol Dooley
2011: Tim & Jean Jennings
2010: Mrs. Rita C. Haddow
2009: Mr. Martin Shoushanian
2008: Cynthia & Edsel B. Ford II
2007: Mr. Jim Queen
2006: David & Jennifer Fischer
2005: Mr. Jack Haire
2004: Mr. James A. Hiller
2003: Heart of Gold – Marilyn Berman
2002: Heart of Gold – Estelle & Philip Elkus
2001: Heart of Gold – Betty Collens
2000: Heart of Gold – Helen & Norman Wachler

In 2010 the JDRF Metro Detroit & SE Michigan Chapter also presented
a special Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Fred Whitehouse,
Henry Ford Health System, for his long and exemplary service to
the diabetes community.

History of the Jane Jospey Cobb Award

Jane was one of the founding members and past board president of the Metro Detroit Chapter. Jane died in 1997 at the age of 53 from diabetes complications. Diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 20 month, she lost her sight at age 23. Jane has two adopted daughters, Allison and Anne, and was married to Robert Cobb.

Jane was a graduate of the University of Michigan. She was a dynamic individual with a terrific memory, mathematically inclined and always ready to learn something new. She enjoyed all the gadgets that had been developed to assist the blind in their daily living.

She opened a boutique in the Somerset Mall specializing in travel items. Later she operated a specialty upscale gift basket store in the Prudential Town Center. In her late forties, Jane became a student in Detroit Receiving Hospital’s Visually Handicapped Services Program. She was anticipating going back to school to earn a Master’s degree in English and Psychology and wanted to be up-to-date in the latest technology available to assist the blind. Jane died before she could realize these goals.

This award is in memory of Jane L. Jospey Cobb, a founding member of the JDRF-Metro Detroit & S.E. MI Chapter who, through her outstanding service, enabled the chapter to raise millions of dollars for diabetes research. She is remembered as a courageous woman whose remarkable dedication, passion for research and indomitable spirit continue to be an inspiration to all.