Our Story
Komar, the largest sleepwear and intimate apparel manufacturer in the United States, created PJs for the Cure to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and kick-off National Diabetes Month. In an effort to effectively support the Foundation, Komar has chosen to take an active role and do what they do best— design, produce, and sell women’s and children’s pajamas to raise money to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
This program is unique in that Komar is donating 100% of every sale to JDRF to fund further research for a cure for this chronic disease that predominately strikes in childhood. The goal is to raise $1 million for JDRF by selling comfy cotton pajamas, available just in time for holiday giving.
The inspiration for PJs for the Cure originated with Charlie Komar, President & CEO of the 101 year old family company. Charlie explains, “In 1990, my wife, Liz, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. She was suddenly completely dependent upon synthetic insulin to keep her alive. She checks her blood sugar levels several times a day and is very careful of her eating habits and activities to ensure that she does not fall into a diabetic coma or worse. The realization of how serious her condition is and the dangers associated with it completely changed our lives.
“Shortly after Liz’s diagnosis, our family including our two young sons participated in “Ride for the Cure,” an eleven mile bike ride through New Jersey. Our son, Matty, three years old at the time, insisted on riding the entire eleven miles for the cause. Afterward, Matty saw Liz giving herself an insulin injection and burst into tears. ‘You mean I rode all that way and you still have it,’ he cried. ‘I thought you would be cured!’
“At the time, I was certain a cure was around the corner. Nineteen years later, Liz still has diabetes, though the treatment has advanced to include an insulin pump that has greatly eased her daily routine. Luckily, type 1 diabetes is largely not hereditary and Matty, now 22, is racing mountain bikes. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to help my wife and the millions of other sufferers of this terrible disease.”
About Komar
Founded by Charles Komar in 1908, Komar is the leading sleepwear and intimate apparel manufacturer. Komar believed one reputation is all you have, a motto which has been faithfully upheld by the third generation Komars running the business today. Komar continues the tradition of producing superior quality garments for all levels of distribution for women and children.
The company’s licensed brands include Donna Karan and DKNY, Liz Claiborne, Ellen Tracy, and Eileen West. Komar also owns various other brands, including Cuddl Duds. In addition, Komar produces affordable private label sleepwear for mid-tier and mass channels of distribution.
Currently, Komar is launching an environmental sustainability initiative in order to conserve our resources and continue to bring sleepwear and intimate apparel to all for generations to come. Komar specializes in supply management chain solutions including cross docking, pick and pack, and inventory warehousing.