Jim Whelan, the Executive Vice President of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) also serves on the JDRF New York City Chapter’s Board of Directors.  Whelan and others are organizing the first local fundraising games which began in the Washington, DC area 26 years ago and now raise over $400,000 annually.

“It’s a cause near and dear to my heart, so it’s gratifying to see our industry come together this way,” said Whelan, whose teenage son Jack was diagnosed with Type One diabetes three years ago. “We hope that people will have some fun at the JDRF Real Estate Games and help us turn Type One into Type None.”

“JDRF is very fortunate to have enormous support from the New York real estate community – the energy around this event is consistent with the long tradition of engagement and generosity among New York’s real estate professionals,” said Grant Murray, Managing Director at Hines. Grant’s involvement is also personal as he serves as the JDRF New York City Chapter Board President in support his wife, who has been Type One for many years.

Adam Singer, Executive Managing Director at Savills Studley, founded The Games in 1990. “The New York real estate industry has supported JDRF for 40 years. The Games is another great step in our search for a cure for diabetes,” he said.

“JDRF is extremely grateful for the generous support from the New York real estate community. This is a great opportunity to get family and friends together whether you have Type One diabetes, know someone who does, or want to simply participate in an event that makes a huge impact on so many lives” said Kristin C. DiFoglio, Executive Director of the JDRF New York City Chapter. “We are grateful for the incredible support of the people of New York City who make it possible for JDRF to direct even more funding toward important T1D research for the 1.25 million people with this serious disease.”

A dozen ten-person teams from some of New York City’s top real estate companies will compete in seven events that include sand volleyball, a rock climbing relay and tug o’ war. Tower Power – a Jenga-like balancing game – dodgeball and Hot Shot basketball will round out the afternoon events. 

Participating teams include Tishman/AECOM, Brookfield, Cushman & Wakefield, Eastdil Secured, Hines, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, REBNY, Savills Studley, Related, Tishman Speyer, Two Trees and Vornado.

Other organizations that have pledged to support the event with donations to JDRF include CBRE, The Durst Organization, Jack Resnick & Sons, SL Green and The Rudin Foundation.

To participate in conversation about the JDRF Real Estate Games, use the hashtag #JDRFgames.