Joseph Nozzolillo Memorial Foundation Surpassed $152,000 in Fundraising for UMass Diabetes Research
Date Posted: Friday, September 26, 2025
The Joseph “Nuzzy” Nozzolillo Memorial Foundation continues to make a meaningful impact on type 1 diabetes research at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE), surpassing $152,000 in total fundraising over eight years. The Foundation’s annual Nuzzy Memorial Golf Tournament is led by Joe’s family and friends, whose commitment remains rooted in both remembrance and progress.
His family and friends have remained closely connected to the UMass Chan DCOE, visiting research laboratories in Worcester multiple times to learn about the type 1 diabetes research their fundraising supports and its connection to clinical research at UMass Memorial’s Ambulatory Care Center, where Joe was a patient.
Joe was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly after his 10th birthday and received care through UMass Memorial Health, where he developed strong relationships with his diabetes care team. Over time, he faced significant challenges managing blood glucose levels and developed serious complications, including severe diabetic neuropathy. Joe passed away at age 31.
During their visits, DCOE Co-Director David Harlan, MD, has shared updates on the collaborative research he leads through the Breakthrough T1D Barbara D. Cammett Center of Excellence in New England.
“We had no idea all of this cutting-edge diabetes research was happening here in Worcester,” said Joe’s sister Leah during her first lab tour. “We knew my brother’s care team was excellent, but the more we learn about the research, the more hopeful we are that we’ll eventually see a cure for type 1 diabetes!”
Support from the Nuzzy Memorial Foundation directly advances our mission to better understand the underlying causes of diabetes and develop innovative therapies. Through the continued dedication of the Nozzolillo family and Joe’s friends, his legacy lives on in research aimed at improving the lives of people with diabetes.
