This year’s honoree for the Tampa Bay Gala is Darby Duncan & Family! Darby is a Managing Director at the Valdes Group at Merrill Private Wealth in Tampa and his wife, Diane, is a Senior Director of Rehabilitative Services at Abilities of Florida. The Duncan’s world was transformed more than 18 years ago when their daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). What was initially mistaken for the flu was quickly identified as T1D during a routine visit to her pediatrician. They were fortunate to catch it early, avoiding the hospitalizations that many families face upon diagnosis – this early intervention allowed them to learn how to do Hannah’s injections and test her blood sugar at home thanks to their Endocrinologist.

Every day since her diagnosis, managing Hannah’s blood sugar levels has been a continuous challenge for her family. The fear of dangerous lows, which can lead to seizures or even coma, or dangerous highs, which can lead to organ damage, has been a constant part of their lives. When Hannah was 8, she experienced a seizure in the middle of the night due to low blood sugar, highlighting the dangers of this disease. Balancing her blood sugar to remain in a healthy range has become a daily, hour-by-hour mission, crucial for her well-being and future.

Despite these ongoing challenges, technological advancements, like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and medical breakthroughs have significantly improved Hannah’s quality of life. What was once a daily struggle has become more manageable with better tools and treatments, though the mission to maintain a healthy balance continues.

The family’s involvement with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) began in 2006 with their first One Walk. Over the years, they have deepened their engagement, participating in galas and other events. Their children have also been active in volunteering, and the family has embraced various roles in supporting the cause.

Breakthrough T1D has played a pivotal role in their lives. From the start, they were provided with a supportive community for their family– through their local chapter, events, and social media, they were able to connect with others who understand their challenges, share experiences, and receive emotional support. Since those early days, their family’s interest has evolved into the research for better technology and potentially a cure. Breakthrough T1D’s long-term vision of a world without T1D, driven by its commitment to innovative research, continues to inspire hope and reassure families that they are not alone in this fight.

The family is particularly excited about this year’s Gala because it brings together a community that has supported them since Hannah’s diagnosis. The Gala is also an opportunity to celebrate the progress made, witness continued advancements in research and technology, and share hope for a future where T1D is a thing of the past. The Gala is more than just an event – it’s a testament to collective efforts to drive change and support ongoing research that can transform lives.

The Duncan Family’s key message for this year’s Gala is clear: continued research requires funding. “By investing in Breakthrough T1D, we are funding hope – we are providing the necessary tools for researchers to explore uncharted territories in science and medicine as well as supporting the development of therapies that can transform lives and potentially lead us to a cure.”

“Together, we can drive the research and make a profound difference,” says Darby Duncan. “Let us stand united in our commitment to this mission. Let us be the catalysts for change. And let us never lose sight of the goal: a world without type 1 diabetes!”