The battle against juvenile diabetes is getting an important boost from the Mehlville School District, according to a district news release.

Every school in the district agreed to hold a walk, or another fundraiser, to support research efforts, and the total amount raised for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, or JDRF, has exceeded $15,000, the release stated.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that helps turn food into energy. While its causes are not entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved, the release stated.

JDRF is driving research to improve the technology used to monitor blood sugar levels and deliver the proper doses of insulin, as well as research that will ultimately deliver a cure.

Across the country,15,000 children will be diagnosed with juvenile diabetes this year, which underscores the district’s commitment to raising money for JDRF.

Washington Middle School is the top fundraiser in the district this year, with a total donation of $2,040.