Breakthrough T1D Southern California & Hawai’i December Newsletter

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Save the Date for the Orange County One Night Gala

Under the leadership of Co-Chairs, Michi Arena, Cathie Lawler and Bill Peters, the 2025 One Night Gala will take place at the elegant Pendry Newport Beach on Saturday, March 15th, 2025! We are thrilled to share that Linda Young, along with the entire Elite OC Productions team, for her numerous contributions to Breakthrough T1D for 10 years!

We are trying to secure as many sponsorships as we can before December 31st. The research advancements that have been made are not possible without your support, and we ask that you please consider supporting us this year; all that is required at this time is your commitment, and funds can be paid at a later date. To review sponsorship opportunities, you can view our packet HERE; to secure your commitment, please email Alex Hines.

For more information, or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit our website. If you are interested in joining our committee, please reach out to Alex!

Save the Date for the San Diego One Night Gala

Please join event chairs Megan Faulkner and Katie Mardikian for a night of groove and giving. The 70’s themed evening will include a silent and live auction, our meaningful Fund a Cure program and a live tribute band, featuring music by The Doors.

Come celebrate with us on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at Pendry San Diego and let’s “Break on Through to the Other Side” of type 1 diabetes!

For more information, or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Haber.

Thank You Orange County!

Our Breakthrough T1D Walk Orange County was a huge success! Walk Day was better than we could have imagined, and it’s all because of you. The weather was beautiful and we met so many great families and friends. The event has raised over $510,000 and counting. Thank you for your hard work fundraising and support of the T1D community.

A special shout out to this year’s top fundraising teams, THANK YOU!
#1 Overall Fundraiser: Evan’s Evangers $59,268
#1 New Family Team: Team Brooks $13,313

We would also like to give a huge shout out to all of our sponsors of this year’s  Walk:

Please remember that your link to your team is still active, so you can continue fundraising! We will be accepting donations until December 31st.

Checks can be mailed to:
Breakthrough T1D Southern California Chapter
ATTN: OC Walk
P.O. Box 5070
Hagerstown, MD 21741-5070

Thank You San Diego!

Thank you to our walkers, sponsors, community partners, and volunteers! You made this year’s Breakthrough T1D Walk San Diego AMAZING!  We are so grateful that you are a part of our Walk community. Thank you for making an impact on the lives of everyone living with T1D!

Congratulations to our Top Teams:

Top Fundraising Team: T1DX2

Top and New Family Team: Jack’s Pack: Driving Towards a Cure

Top Corporate Team: Tandem Diabetes Care, San Diego

Please remember that your link to your team is still active, so you can continue fundraising! We will be accepting donations until December 31st.

Checks can be mailed to:
Breakthrough T1D Southern California Chapter
ATTN: SD Walk
P.O. Box 5070
Hagerstown, MD 21741-5070

Thank You Imperial Valley!

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 6th Annual Breakthrough T1D Community Walk Imperial Valley on November 16th! It was an incredible morning of making connections, visiting diabetes vendors, and having fun!

A huge shoutout to Stephen and Matthew Jaime for leading the charge to make this event happen! And to all of our wonderful volunteers who did everything from set-up to tear-down and all the things in between. We appreciate you!

Breakthrough T1D Walk

The Breakthrough T1D Walk brings together thousands to support a brighter future for those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It’s a chance for individuals, families, businesses, and communities to make a real impact. Join us at one of our Southern California Walks—choose your location and register today!

 

  • Los Angeles Walk, Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
  • Temecula Valley Walk, Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at the Maurice Car’rie Winery
    • This walk is graciously sponsored by Pechanga Resort & Casino! Registration information coming soon. For any questions, contact Catrina Cooper.

Encourage your friends and family to join your team for this fun, impactful event. Together, we are a force for change. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support. We can’t wait to walk with you!

Breaking news! This year the Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Fore the Kids Golf Classic is moving to a new venue! Please save the date and join us on Monday, June 16th at Monarch Beach Golf Links. Monarch Beach Golf Links is an intriguing Orange County, CA, layout – one of only a handful of oceanfront golf courses throughout California. For sponsorship information or to be part of the Golf Planning committee chaired by Torrey DiRoberto and Jenny Rodriquez please reach out to Lauren Christ.

 

 

The 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress will be held July 7–9 in Washington, D.C., bringing together over 160 youth (ages 4–17) from across the U.S. and beyond. Participants will engage with Members of Congress and Federal leaders to share their experiences with T1D and advocate for important issues.

Applications are open online now through December 8, 2024, here.

Orange County Community Summit

 

The Breakthrough T1D Community Summit is an educational and networking opportunity for all those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). This year, the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit will bring our community together to learn from T1D experts, hear about the latest breakthroughs in T1D research, meet vendor exhibitors, connect with others impacted by T1D, and more. We look forward to having you join us! Registration is required – sign up here.

Breakthrough T1D Ride

 

Congratulations to all the Death Valley Riders: Caroline Baber, Chloe Dufty, Richard Dufty, Keith Fischer, David Fleshler, Elizabeth Fleshler, Marisa Fried, Jane Gagne, Stephanie Santos, John Stoner! The Death Valley ride was October 24-27, 2024, and Chloe Dufty was celebrated and recognized in Death Valley as the solo Youth Rider at the event! She received the Junior Ride Champion Jersey!

Dad, Richard Dufty, shared a little bit about Chloe and her connection with Breakthrough T1D:

“Chloe has always enjoyed participating in the Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF events, whether it be as a youth ambassador attending various events, the JDRF walk, the annual gala, and most recently, Chloè really loved coming to the ride in Death Valley. She enjoyed volunteering at the final station of the ride for the 2023 ride and meeting lots of fellow T1Ds along the way.

During the ride weekend she started asking questions like “so how far do you think I could ride”, and “I think it would be a lot of fun”, and finally “dad I want to ride with you next year”.

Like with anything Chloe does that is important or special to her, she has been a little nervous but continues to be excited and face the challenge head on!

So here we are 8 years after the first ride she went to watching her dad and coloring posters of encouragement as a 6-year-old, Chloé who turned 14 in early October and participated as a rider in her first ride at Death Valley!”

Richard adds, “I’ve always been so proud of how Chloé has faced, lived, and embraced her T1D.  She has never let it define her, or let it stop her from doing anything she sets her mind to. She accepts the challenge with determination and grit, and this first bike ride for Chloé is no different, and I couldn’t be happier or more proud to be riding together with her – the little girl I started riding for is now the young woman riding with me.”

Congrats to Chloe!

 

Honolulu Marathon Weekend

The Merrie Mile is a fun one-mile race in Waikiki, followed by a beach party. Kids of all ages can participate, as long as they have a registered adult with them. The course, named after King Kalakaua (the “Merrie Monarch”), begins near Kapiolani Park and finishes at Queens Beach. After crossing the finish line, participants are invited to a beach festival for medals, food, and drinks.

Click here to learn more and secure your spot! If you have any further questions, please contact Chelsee Schipper.

Since its founding over 25 years ago, the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) has provided nearly $3.5 billion for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, leading to major breakthroughs like automated insulin delivery systems and therapies that delay T1D onset. Currently, the program funds $160 million annually to the NIH, but this support expires on December 31, 2024. T1D advocates in Congress are rallying support to renew the program, and we need your help to urge your Members of Congress to sign onto bipartisan letters supporting this vital funding.

Your voice and advocacy are crucial in securing continued federal investment in T1D research, helping to make our vision of a world without T1D possible. Urge your Members of Congress to sign the SDP letters of support TODAY!

Upcoming Chapter Events

In Person Events

  • T1D Family Holiday Celebrations
    • Santa Monica – Join others living with T1D and their families on Saturday, December 7th, 2:30-4:30pm,  at the Santa Monica Main Library. Register here.
    • Santa Barbara – Join us at the Grace Fisher Foundation for a morning of arts and crafts, coffee, and connect with other families impacted by T1D on Saturday, December 7th, 10am-12pm. Register here.
  • Kendra Scott Holiday Giveback – 20% of all purchases will benefit Breakthrough T1D! Shop in store on December 6th at 4309 La Jolla Village Drive, Ste 2330, San Diego or online through December 7th using code GIVEBACK-IEDMH. More information here.
  • San Diego East County In-Person Coffee – December 19th, 7pm. Starbucks, 2740 Fletcher Pkwy., El Cajon. Register here. 

Virtual Events