Thank you for clicking on the “Building and Construction Trades Department”.  Here we will share with you a little bit about the BCTD and how they got involved with the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

The Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO is an umbrella organization representing the collective interests of 13 unions that build North America’s cities and town – our roads and bridges – our electrical grid and our factories. 

Made up of more than 365 state and local councils, the BCTD and its affiliates were founded to uphold a standard of excellence that guarantees their work always outshines the competition in every trade, on every job.  After celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, the Department decided it was time to remind everyone of exactly what they stood for. 

Through its new “Value on Display. Everyday” campaign, the BCTD is redefining the construction industry and telling anyone who wants to know that they day-in, day-out performance of the union craftsman or women is unmatched for pride, productivity, and professionalism.

The construction site is not the only place where the BCTD continues to stand out.  For 24 years, union men and women have been working tirelessly to support the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation in its quest for a cure.  We’d like to take this opportunity to share with you the story of how it all began.

In 1984, a small of group of parents who’s children were suffering from Diabetes dreamed of building a state-of-the-art research facility.  It was their vision to create the largest research-focused center in the world.  It would be a center with one sole purpose: to find a cure for diabetes. 

When the leaders of the BCTD heard about these incredible parents, they made it their mission to make this dream a reality.  They called on union members all over the country to unite behind the cause.  The efforts began with the Dollars Against Diabetes Campaign, commonly known as D.A.D.’s Day.  Each Father’s Day Weekend, community members gathered on street corners in cities across America. They held Dad’s Day buckets and asked passing motorists to contribute anything they could. 

The local contributions were added to money raised on a National Level through the Labor of Love Golf Tournament.  Held every year during the AFL-CIO Legislative Conference, the tournament gathered labor leaders and national sponsors for a fun-filled weekend of sunshine.  Year in and year out, the tournament raised hundreds of thousands of dollars toward diabetes research.

And by 1994, the BCTD dream had become reality when the funds necessary to build the research had were raised. Now it was time to build. Union men and women from around the United States contributed their time and labor, physically constructing the Diabetes Research Institute, part of the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.  When given the opportunity to name this Institute anything they wanted, the union brothers and sisters passed up the opportunity for recognition.  All they asked was that a plaque be placed outside of the building, reading, “Built by the hands of the American people”

After 14 years of operation, the DRI continues to be the world leader in cure-focused research.  Filled with doctors, scientists, and researchers who are at the top of their field, the DRI is the world’s best hope for curing diabetes.  And each day, as those remarkable individuals enter the building, they are reminded of their friendship and the way people came together to take up the fight.

The plaque that is a reminder that the Diabetes Research Foundation is possible because of the collaboration between the DRI and the Building and Construction Trades Department.

Now, more than 40 million dollars in donations later, this partnership means so much to both sides, and working together, the DRI is confident they can find a cure to this disease. We thank you for your support.