In 2017 my wife Cheri and I met Kirstie and Justin Bradway and their son, Gavin. Kirstie told us that, “ My husband Justin lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and from the day my oldest son was born, I’ve lived in a constant state of paranoia that one of our children would also develop diabetes.” Then on September 20, 2015, Kirstie’s greatest fear became a reality when at just 2 1/2 years old, Gavin was diagnosed with T1D.

The Bradways had no choice over diabetes invading their house, but they made the decision to own it and take control. Thanks to JDRF funded research, Gavin was able to go to kindergarten wearing his continuous glucose monitor so he could focus on his ABCs instead of his BGs (blood glucose).

Then, in 2019, just a day after Christmas, Gavin’s older brother Trevor told Kirstie that lately he had been peeing a lot and had been really thirsty. Just to see, they checked his BG. A normal BG is around 90. Trevor’s read 600. Kirstie told us, “It’s like my whole world stopped moving in that moment. The terrified look on my little 8 year old’s face is something I will never forget. He knew exactly what that number meant and there was absolutely nothing I could do to make it go away. Trevor isn’t an affectionate person. He doesn’t hug, he doesn’t cuddle, he doesn’t hold your hand. When that result of 600 came up, he lunged into my arms so fast and squeezed me tighter than he has ever done before. My heart shattered into a million pieces.” Gavin helped Trevor immensely and was a huge support as Trevor now also had to wear an insulin pump on his body 24/7.

In less than one year later in September 2020, Kirstie shared with us some more news. “My sweet baby girl. My best friend. My little sidekick in everything I do. The last one of all 3 of our babies I thought would be spared this terrible disease that consumes so much of our lives already. Savannah’s bloodwork came back, and she tested positive for 3 out of the 4 autoantibodies markers for T1D. There is a 95%+ chance that our girl will eventually end up getting type 1. It hasn’t ‘officially’ happened yet but knowing that there is a less than 5% chance of her not getting it is completely earth shattering to us. Her pancreas could slowly stop working in a month or it could stop in 2 years. There is no way for us to know. We both know this isn’t the end of the world. We see our boys living their best life and he himself living his, but the fact that our last and final baby most likely won’t be spared this lifelong disease doesn’t even seem imaginable right now.”

In 2022, thanks to supporters like you, the T1D community got a huge win! The first disease-modifying therapy for individuals at-risk for developing T1D was approved by the FDA. Under the brand name, Tzield, this therapy addresses the autoimmunity behind T1D and can delay the onset of T1D in at-risk individuals. This breakthrough helps further accelerate the pathway to cures and just a few months ago, in April, Savannah received this treatment.

Kristie shared, “When I tell you I have the toughest, bravest and strongest kids I know, I 100% mean it. They go through so much medically and I couldn’t be more proud of them and to be their mom.”

Today, Breakthrough T1D is leading the way to more effective solutions. Tomorrow, we will make T1D a thing of the past. Always, Breakthrough T1D is guided by a single purpose: As we drive toward curing T1D, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.

Please consider a donation towards Fund A Cure, in honor of the Bradway Family. 100% of your Fund A Cure donations go to Breakthrough T1D and its mission to cure, prevent, and better treat type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Thank you,

Rich Rosen