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, including $18,000 raised in 2025 alone. 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.
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 later developed serious complications, including severe diabetic neuropathy. He passed away at age 31.
His family and friends remain closely connected to the DCOE, gaining firsthand exposure to the research their fundraising supports. Visits to our research laboratories have provided deeper insight into how contributions are advancing scientific discovery—and reinforced their shared belief that continued investment can lead to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Support from the Nuzzy Memorial Foundation directly advances the DCOE’s 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 the work being done every day to improve the lives of those living with diabetes.
They have toured the UMass Chan DCOE research labs in Worcester multiple times to learn about the T1D research being conducted in conjunction with clinical studies at UMass Memorial’s Ambulatory Care Center, where Joe was a patient.
Dr. David Harlan, DCOE Co-Director, is greatly appreciative for their ongoing support, and has met the group on several occasions to describe the collaborative efforts that he also leads as Director of 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!”
“We want the money we raise to stay local and help other people being treated for diabetes at UMass Memorial,” said Joe’s brother Jonathan. “We appreciate all they did for him.”
Michael Brehm, PhD, DCOE co-director, who lives with T1D himself, explaining how our scientists have recently uncovered new insights into T1D development.
