On April 12th, 2025, the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare wasn’t just filled with family and friends from Breakthrough T1D. It was filled with purpose, power, and celebration. Nearly 80 of our most dedicated fundraisers, families, friends, and changemakers came together to honor a record-breaking year in our peer-to-peer programs. 

Together, you raised an incredible $3.4 million, and every single dollar is a step closer to a world without type 1 diabetes. 

We kicked things off with a heartfelt welcome and a beautiful speech from Youth Ambassador Caitlin Vengazo, whose fundraising journey since her 2017 diagnosis has raised over $75,000 and inspired a movement of storytelling, and impact. Caitlin reminded us that educating our network is just as powerful as mobilizing it, and that sharing the “why” behind our fundraising transforms lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, Executive Director Michael Mayberry took us on a journey through the past, present, and future of T1D research. He reminded us of just how far we’ve come, and how close we truly are to a cure. His update on Project ACT and the breakthroughs in cell therapy trials were nothing short of inspiring. “There has never been a more exciting time to join our mission,” he said, and the whole room felt that. 

The 2025 Peer to Peer Awards 

We know our community doesn’t do it for the spotlight, but we couldn’t resist shining one anyway. This year’s award winners moved mountains and mobilized communities. Let’s celebrate them again! 

Rookie of the Year: Avery’s Awesome Army 

The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes 1st or 2nd year fundraisers within our programs who answered the call to get involved with Breakthrough T1D by fundraising, volunteering, and making a lasting impact in the T1D community.

 

A new diagnosis didn’t stop this Central Illinois family, it activated them. In one year, Avery and her family raised $4,500, created the cutest Walk shirts, volunteered at multiple events, and became Youth Ambassador stars. Their impact? Unforgettable. 

Unstoppable Award: Peggy Kepple of Alex’s Army 

The Unstoppable Award recognizes a team or participant that embodies the true meaning of this sentiment. Regardless of year, program, or fundraising goal, they will get involved with our organization anyway they can – to raise funds for turning type one into type none.

With more than $225,000 raised, Peggy’s leadership spans multiple Walk chapters and an annual keg party walk after party (yes, really!). She embodies fundraising with joy, intention, and community. 

Going the Extra Mile: Jeff and Vicki Goodall, Team Left Eye 

The Going the Extra Mile Award recognizes a team or fundraiser that shows success in thinking outside the box. They put the FUN in fundraising and making a big impact with their creative ways to engage their network and smash their fundraising goals. 

This power couple makes fundraising FUN with their annual “Save Jeff’s Left Eye” Trivia Night, raising over $23,000 this year. They even help other teams grow through the Ford Family Sponsorship program. Talk about going the extra mile! 

Passion to Mission: Phil Kiraly 

The Passion to Mission Award recognizes a team or individual dedicated to our mission whole heartedly, and through the power of storytelling, they have used their voice to fundraise for breakthroughs because they know that one day, there will be a cure.

 

Phil raised over $8,000 in 30 days and engaged 1,000+ people on social media through radical transparency and deep commitment. His speech? There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Truly a moment we will never forget.

Change Maker: Coach Steve Schmieder 

The Change Maker Award honors the hard work and dedication of a volunteer who impacts our mission and leads others to follow in their footsteps.

Two rides in one year? Just another challenge Coach Steve embraced. His dedication to training, recruitment, and constant community support makes him a pillar of our Ride program and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate him. 

The Energy Was Electric! 

Between award moments, we kept the momentum going with Idea Incubators, our interactive table topics hosted by staff, volunteers, and experts. From learning how to start a Your Way fundraiser, to managing T1D during exercise, to storytelling tips from the best in the game (shoutout to Peggy Kepple!), these tables sparked action, ideas, and community. 

Our 2024 Program Impact: 

• $1.78M raised by Walks alone 

• 5,500 Walkers across Illinois 

• 500 Teams 

• 229 V1P walkers (over $1,000 raised each!) 

• Team Illinois Ride: $870,000+ raised, 136 Riders 

• Team Illinois Run: close to $450k+ raised  
• 13 Your Way Events: $250,000+ raised 
• Top Corporate Walk Teams: RLI, Prinova, Aldridge with over $100K combine

Top Individual Fundraisers 

• Ride: Karen Case, $152,449 – La Crosse Ride 

• Run: Katie Rankin, $26,112 – Bank of America Chicago Marathon 

• Walk: Katrina Meckes, $23,184 – Chicago Suburbs Walk 

• Your Way: Katie Beckett, $23,158 – Diabetes Awareness Month 

And of course, our corporate sponsors, who together contributed over $615,000 to the Peer to Peer programs in 2024. Their leadership continues to power our breakthroughs. 

What’s Next? 

The message we left everyone with was clear:
The future is bright. The cure is closer than ever. And most importantly, we’re in this together. 

Whether you recommit to another fantastic walk year, join a committee, or try something new in 2025, just know, we appreciate you. Every step you take, every mile you ride, and every story you tell brings us one step closer to the finish line. 

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. We can’t wait to see what you do next. 

Let’s get ready for another record-breaking year. 

GO TEAM!