Total Raised
-
$51,033
Remember how fun it was to be on the couch with your friends, fire up your Nintendo console, and play video games late into the night? Heroes of Time captures that magic but adds in 33 talented creators, a massive audience, and creative fundraising. It’s all in support of Breakthrough T1D Play and our work to fund research that makes everyday life with type 1 diabetes (T1D) better and drives towards our north star: cures.
Heroes of Time By the Numbers
Total Views
-
255,000
Participating Creators
-
33
Average Gift Per Donor
-
$138.68
Minutes Watched
-
3.44 Million
Diet Cokes Consumed
-
Countless!
Meet the Creators
These creators—the 23 who participated in-person (above), plus 10 more remotely—joined forces to raise money for T1D cures, but they also literally joined forces during the stream with the 20-button controller! This deconstructed device gave each in-person participant control of one button, meaning they had to work closely together to progress.
Activating the Zelda community was a key component to the stream’s success, as this February marked the 40th anniversary of the franchise! This included an article on ZeldaUniverse.net and a Reddit post on the 3.28 million subscriber r/Zelda forum.
And, of course, there was a big celebration upon hitting the $50,000 mark!
Missed the stream? Even though Link has vanquished Ganon (for now), you can always join Breakthrough T1D Play and donate to support T1D cures!
Breakthrough T1D Ride is a charitable cycling event that has raised over $77 million for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, which has directly led to innovations like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and disease-modifying therapies that can slow the progression of T1D. Ride offers cyclists of every age and skill level the chance to fuel breakthroughs that drive toward cures and improve the lives of those with T1D.
If you’ve never biked before, participating can seem a little intimidating for a first-time rider. Luckily, you’ll be joining a community of people united by a common goal: funding the fight against T1D! We sat down with two riders that shared their perspective on Breakthrough T1D Ride, and some tips and tricks that can help you get started.
Ten Years of Pedal Power to End T1D
Karen Brancato is marking 2026 with her tenth Breakthrough T1D Ride, and it’s going to be a big one—she’s riding the maximum 100 miles on Amelia Island with the Trailblazer package, which has a goal of raising $12,500, the highest option available.
“My original plan was 10 rides, 10 years, $10,000. But the trailblazer package is $12,500, so it’s the closest package to my goal,” Karen said.
But Karen didn’t start out by riding 100 miles. Her brother has T1D—he was diagnosed in the 1970s—and ten years ago, he asked Karen if she wanted to Ride with him.
“That first year we were together, we rode short. But by year two, my brother and I rode a metric century together, which was a huge accomplishment!” she said. “I love the 62-mile rides, the metric centuries, I’ve done a bunch of them. You have enough fun on the bike, but then there’s still time for fun at the finish line.”
Why does she keep coming back?
“It’s not really a decision that I intentionally make, it’s a given that I’m going to sign up,” Karen said. “If I didn’t, something would be wrong!”
Instead, Karen sees where she plans to ride as the decision-making process.
“I’ve ridden in Burlington, La Crosse, Cape Cod, and this year, I’m going back to Amelia Island, which is kind of like my home ride,” she said. “I’m going to wear that 10-year jersey, and I feel like I should do it on Amelia Island.”
A New Diagnosis, Followed by Racking Up Miles
In 2024, Wendi Fellner was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but something didn’t feel right.
“Not all the pieces were fitting for that diagnosis,” she said. “As I learned more and more, I heard ‘Maybe you’re actually a type 1, and guess what—there’s this brand-new treatment out there that can extend the period of time before you need to be on insulin.’”
That brand-new treatment was Tzield, which was developed with Breakthrough T1D-funded research. Approved by the FDA in 2022, it’s a disease-modifying therapy that targets the T cells responsible for destroying insulin-producing beta cells, slowing down the autoimmune processes that cause T1D. Wendi started taking it in May 2024.
“I was my provider’s first patient to get it, so he was also pretty excited!” Wendi said. “I do take insulin now, but I feel like it definitely helped me ease into being able to take care of myself with this condition.”
She’s grateful that Breakthrough T1D-funded research made Tzield possible—she thinks it extended her honeymoon phase—and it’s the main reason why she embarked on her first Ride in 2024, the same year as her T1D diagnosis.
“I felt really lucky that this was coming together at the right time, so it’s definitely part of the motivation for doing these rides to raise awareness and keep on looking for things that make our lives better and, obviously, also for cures!”
There was also a family connection—Wendi’s grandfather had T1D, and unfortunately passed away from complications when she was young.
“When I was diagnosed myself, the world had really changed in terms of how you can care for yourself,” she said. “When I dug into it a little bit deeper, I saw that Breakthrough T1D was really at the core of a lot of those important changes, and I wanted to do something to help.”
Ride 101: Tips and Tricks
As a veteran rider, Karen recommends getting started on your fundraising early by breaking that big overall goal into smaller monthly goals. By taking this approach, it’s much more manageable, and by the time you’re ready to ride, your fundraising is at the finish line.
Karen recommends thinking of creative ways to make fundraising fun—for example, she recommends partnering with a restaurant to donate a percentage of profits on a specific fundraising day.
“People say ‘no’ too easily if you just ask for a donation,” Karen said. “But if you have some creative idea, they say yes.”
For her trailblazer goal this year, Karen is doing a March Madness-style game board—supports can purchase squares on a 10×10 grid at $20 a piece, and can potentially win prizes. But if you’re not sure where to start with your fundraising, Karen says it’s important to keep in mind that you can use these same ideas no matter what your goal is.
“I didn’t start out riding 100 miles or raising $12,500,” Karen said. “My first ride in 2017 was about 50 miles, and I barley raised the $2,000 minimum!”
Wendi agrees. If you’re feeling uncertain, she recommends starting out with My Ride, like she did, and setting a goal to switch to a destination later.
“It is intimidating to think about such a big event, and I feel like that was a good way for me to get my foot in the door,” Wendi said. “I could ride however long I wanted to, and there was no pressure…it was a way to help me build confidence that I could actually go for the larger goal.”
Joining a Community With One Common Goal
Karen and Wendi say that joining Breakthrough T1D Ride is really joining one big community—case in point, they actually shared an Airbnb at the Amelia Island, Florida Ride last year!
And Wendi says riding as a part of that community is a very empowering experience.
“Once you’re there, it’s like you’re almost carried along by your teammates and the other riders and all of the coaches that are there to cheer you along, to help you if you have trouble,” Wendi said. “I always come off every ride just feeling like man, I can do anything. I can take on the world, and we’re going to cure it!”
She says people interested in riding for the first time should contact their local Breakthrough T1D chapter, get connected with a Ride team, and be part of a community that shares one common goal: fuel breakthroughs and find cures.
“You can do a shorter ride, you can do 30 miles, you can do 60 miles, and it’s OK,” Wendi said. “And you have a lot of support—coaches that can help you, keep you motivated, and keep you riding regularly to be ready for it.”
Karen agrees.
“Chapters will help you with fundraising and training rides, and it’s so much easier than doing it alone,” Karen said. “It’s all about the smiles, not the miles. That is an expression that we use a lot, because if you’re not having fun, why are you doing it?”
In 2026, we’re taking Breakthrough T1D Ride to five locations: La Crosse, Wisconsin; The Cascades, Washington; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; and Amelia Island, Florida,
Not ready for an in-person event? You can join anywhere, anytime with Breakthrough T1D My Ride.
Breakthrough T1D Walk is a nationwide movement dedicated to raising type 1 diabetes (T1D) awareness and funding research. As the largest T1D walk, this event empowers individuals and teams to take action. But we couldn’t do it alone—our local volunteers make each event possible!
That includes Casey Adams, Corporate Committee Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Walk. His role? Securing corporate sponsors for the Walk and getting them interested in supporting Breakthrough T1D.
He got involved after his son, Henry, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 13, starting with a Walk team—Henry’s Home Run—three years ago before serving as Co-Chair in 2025 and 2026.
This year, they have raised more than $80,000 in corporate sponsorships, and Casey’s efforts aren’t over yet—nor are they limited to Walk. He also secured a generous $75,000 Fund A Cure Gift from the Keck Foundation and matched it with his own money to support research for T1D cures.
“I went to high school and college with Steve Keck, and his daughter has celiac,” Casey said. “We’d see each other at lunch here and there and started talking about these autoimmune diseases, so I slowly just started introducing him to Breakthrough T1D and asked if they would consider a grant or a donation, and he said they would.”
“Without being involved in Walk, I wouldn’t have thought to reach out to Steve and the foundation for this ask. They’ve done a lot with funding different medical research…so it was a good fit for them,” Casey added.
Casey says this year’s Los Angeles Walk was the most fun of the three he’s participated in.
“Our team had a lot of great turnout of people coming to support us—a lot of my son’s high school baseball teammates came out—and I was able to get up on stage and speak for a bit, which I haven’t done in the past,” Casey said.
In 2027, Casey wants to increase the size of the corporate committee so they can reach more potential donors. He also hopes to solidify the existing partnerships and sponsors they’ve secured.
“We want to keep adding the number of sponsors and have them commit to supporting this cause long-term,” Casey said. “We want those to be year in, year out support.”
And he’s got some advice for people thinking about becoming volunteers, in any capacity.
“If people are feeling hesitant about getting involved, just take the plunge!” Casey said. “It’s a little bit of work, but it’s also a lot of fun—it’s rewarding and it makes a big difference.”
Interested? Find a Walk in your area and sign up to volunteer!
On April 26, 2026, thousands will run the TCS London Marathon. For three runners, the day means far more—they’re running for family, remembrance, and hope.
For actor Luke Macfarlane and his partner Hig Roberts, along with Hig’s siblings Cassady and Dylan, every step continues a legacy.
This April, their family will run the London Marathon and raise their voices in honor of their late brother, Murphy, who passed away from type 1 diabetes (T1D) complications.
For them, this race has a deeper significance: It’s a tribute.
It’s a promise.
And it’s a call to action.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Murphy Roberts was just 11 years old when he was diagnosed with T1D. Before then, his family had little firsthand understanding of the disease. After his diagnosis, everything changed.
Like so many families, the Roberts quickly learned that T1D does not affect just one person—it changes the rhythm of an entire household. There are blood sugar checks, sleepless nights, constant vigilance, and the awareness that it is a disease that must be managed 24 hours a day.
The family rallied around Murphy from the beginning while also working hard to protect his independence. He learned early how to advocate for himself at school, at ski practice, and in daily life. And through it all, he refused to let T1D define him.
A Life Full of Adventure
Murphy loved Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and everything mountain life has to offer— skiing, biking, hiking, rivers, trails, and long days outside. His older brother, Dylan Roberts, describes him as a “classic Steamboat kid,” someone known and loved across their close-knit community.
Cassady remembers her younger brother Murphy as spontaneous, adventurous, funny, and fiercely determined—someone who would disappear onto a trail or get caught up on a bike ride simply because he loved being out in the world. Hig recalls how physically driven and goal-oriented Murphy was, always up for a challenge and often taking things one step further than everyone else.
That spirit is something his family still carries with them today.
Turning Grief into Purpose
In one cherished family memory, Murphy jumped into Cassady’s first marathon to run beside her and cheer her on to the finish—an image that now feels especially fitting as his family takes on this year’s London Marathon in his honor.
“He wanted to support his sister and get her to the finish line,” Dylan said. “That’s one of the final memories I have of Murphy.”
Years later, that support has come full circle.
When Hig, Cassady, and Luke decided to run the London Marathon with the Breakthrough T1D Run team, they saw it as a meaningful way to honor Murphy while helping create a future where no family faces the same loss.
“Running a marathon is hard, and the training takes a lot of time,” Cassady said. “But it’s a tangible way to raise money for something that really mattered to Murphy and is improving the lives of people like him.”
Luke, who has a family connection to diabetes research through his grandfather’s friendship with Sir Frederick Banting, says supporting this cause felt natural from the start. Becoming part of Hig’s family gave that connection new meaning.
“The more I’ve gotten to know Dylan, Cassady, and their mom and dad, so much of them is shaped by the loss of Murphy,” Luke said. “I’m very grateful to be part of it and to help honor his memory and keep his name alive.”
Breakthrough T1D Run is More Than a Race
By joining the Breakthrough T1D Run team in the London Marathon, the Roberts family and Luke are helping raise critical funds and awareness to accelerate progress. The Breakthrough T1D Run program unites runners around the world who believe every mile can help fuel breakthroughs.
Participants run in major marathons, community races, and personal challenges—all with one shared goal: creating a future where type 1 diabetes no longer exists.
Every mile a runner logs helps power research, advocacy, and support for the millions of people worldwide living with T1D.
For Hig, Cassady, and Luke, those miles honor Murphy’s memory and carry his spirit forward.
Finding Community
Hig says being around runners who live with T1D is both humbling and inspiring.
“To really see firsthand how people who are living with this disease tackle something as crazy as a marathon is incredibly eye-opening,” he said. “It makes me feel very close to Murphy.”
As Luke sees it, the marathon is not only a physical challenge but also a reflection of resilience itself.
“When it gets really hard,” he said, “I just sort of go, ‘Wow, this is hard,’ but keep going.”
That mindset resonates deeply in the T1D community, where perseverance is part of everyday life.
And that is one reason this run means so much to the family—they are joining a community that understands that every mile can help power progress.
Join the Movement
Cassady, Hig, and Luke are running for Murphy, and for breakthroughs that improve life now—and for the cures we still need. As the London Marathon nears, the family hopes their journey inspires others to take action.
Whether it’s running, donating, or sharing their story, every effort helps move our mission forward—because this is more than a race. It’s a movement, and every mile brings us closer to cures.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
August 13-16, 2026
Set against the stunning backdrop of Wisconsin’s bluffs and the mighty Mississippi River, this ride begins in La Crosse and spans three states. Perfect for families and beginners, this Ride offers a variety of distance options and breathtaking Midwest views that are sure to leave a lasting impression!
“This Breakthrough T1D community embraced us right away. We started back in 2019 when my daughter was diagnosed. Right away it was the family you never knew existed, but you’re happy that they did. They bring you in right away and let you know that the struggles you go through on a daily basis are shared. They’re not unique to you. That gives you just a little bit of hope.“
The Cascades, Washington
August 27-30, 2026
Experience the untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the inaugural Breakthrough T1D Ride in The Cascades! Starting in Cle Elum—just east of Snoqualmie Pass—this breathtaking route weaves through pine forests, mountain valleys, and crystal-clear rivers. With crisp alpine air and panoramic views at every turn, riders will find both serenity and exhilaration in equal measure. Choose your distance and immerse yourself in the wild, rugged magic of Washington’s Cascade Mountains with this inaugural Ride!
*We are quickly working to finalize our routes for the Cascades—they will be announced as soon as possible and will be added to our 2026 Ride with GPS collection! You can expect elevation similar to Coeur d’Alene at about 3,800 feet.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
September 24-27, 2026
Discover the scenic charm of New England for Breakthrough T1D’s second ever Cape Cod Ride! This picturesque cycling event offers a blend of flat roads, ocean breezes, and the iconic coastal vistas that make Cape Cod a cyclist paradise. With route options extending up to 100 miles, riders of all abilities can enjoy winding through quaint seaside villages, salt marshes, and sandy beaches. Whether you’re captivated by the historic lighthouses or the endless horizon of the Atlantic, this is a Ride that promises unforgettable memories!
“My brother was diagnosed with T1D almost thirty years ago, when he was nine years old. Life was never easy for us growing up. And yet, my brother is one of the most positive people I know. If he can do what he does every day and come through with a smile, then I can ride for a cure in his honor.”
Austin, Texas
October 29-November 1, 2026
Saddle up for a one-of-a-kind Texas experience with the Breakthrough T1D Ride in Austin, back for the first time since 2002 with a new route! Nestled in the heart of Hill Country, this Ride features rolling terrain, sweeping vistas, and a perfect mix of challenge and charm. Riders will pedal past live oak–lined roads and quiet ranchlands—capturing the vibrant spirit that makes Austin truly unique. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned cyclist, you’ll find plenty of Texas hospitality along the way!
*We are quickly working to finalize our routes for Austin—they will be announced as soon as possible and will be added to our 2026 Ride with GPS collection! Riders can expect rolling hills with elevation gains of about 3,500 feet.
Amelia Island, Florida
December 3-6, 2026
Experience the natural beauty of Northeast Florida on the Amelia Island Ride. Riders will be treated to flat roads, trees draped in Spanish Moss, and sweeping ocean views as they explore this stunning destination. With route options ranging up to 100 miles, cyclists of all levels can enjoy scenic rides through pristine beaches, marshlands, and maritime forests. With vistas like these, the Amelia Island Ride is one you won’t want to miss!
“My first Ride was Death Valley in December 2001, and I found a whole new community to be inspired by. I was in awe watching riders with T1D accomplish this challenging physical task—and doing it better than me. I was young and fit back then and they still left me in the dust. I did another Ride in 2003, and I knew I’d be back for more.”
My Ride
Your way, your day!
With Breakthrough T1D My Ride, you have the flexibility to join a local ride in your area or create your own mileage and fundraising challenge. You will still receive guidance from coaches and your local Breakthrough T1D chapter to help you reach your goals.
The holiday season is upon us! That means dreaming of snow, gifting, and delicious meals with loved ones, although type 1 diabetes (T1D) can make that last part a little trickier (see our holiday guides, which offer helpful tips and carb counts for popular foods across cultures).
Some members of the Breakthrough T1D community are using this time of year to bring in a different gift—funding, which powers the innovations making everyday life with T1D better and brings us closer to making the condition a thing of the past.
It’s all possible thanks to Breakthrough T1D’s Your Way fundraising program, which puts you at the controls with your custom campaign idea, while we handle all the tools, resources, and support you need to make it happen.
Sweet treats for a cure
When Cara Hills was growing up, her mother baked cookies for Christmas every year.
“My mother is an incredible baker and cook, there really isn’t anything that woman can’t do in the kitchen,” Cara said. “I loved baking too, and took on the same tradition.”
Each year, Cara would throw a holiday party and send everyone home with a bag of cookies. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that was off the table. So, Cara says, she decided to keep baking but would instead sell the cookies to raise money for Breakthrough T1D.
Her youngest daughter, Harper, was diagnosed with T1D in 2017, at just 2 years old—and six months later, Cara’s mom Marianne was also diagnosed with T1D at 63 years old
“Living with T1D means there are no days off and there is no cure, but there is hope,” Cara said. “We wouldn’t make it through without this hope and without the promising progress being made towards finding a cure, which is made possible by the funding from Breakthrough T1D.”
She’s now kicking off year five of Baking to Beat the ‘Betes and is aiming to surpass last year’s numbers—2,172 cookies and over $17,000 raised—with a new goal of $20,000. So far, Cara and her husband Mark have made 877 cookies, and their nanny Jackie has made another 700.
“Based on donations to date, I have at least 400-500 to go, but there are a lot of people that donated last year that haven’t yet donated,” Cara said.
This year, they have two sizes available—a medium cookie box for donations between $50 and $250, and a large box for donations over $250. And each box comes with a homemade Christmas ornament, too.
Lighting up the night
Brandi Stewart’s daughter, Katherine, was diagnosed with T1D on June 14, 2011, when she was five years old. Brandi says that day changed their lives and split their world into “before” and “after,” and that’s why they created Christmas Lights for a Cure to raise money for Breakthrough T1D each holiday season.
“They are not only researching for a cure, but developing new technology to make type 1 diabetes easier to live with,” Brandi said.
The family typically raises at least $10,000 annually with the elaborate, coordinated light and music display outside their house, complete with fireworks (it even has a location pin on Google Maps)!
This year, things kicked off on Monday, December 1 with a taco truck, donuts, and hot chocolate outside the Stewart’s home in Highland, Utah—and the lights will be on from 5:30 to 10 p.m. every day until the end of the month.
The Stewarts are not alone in showing their holiday spirit to support Breakthrough T1D—a newly diagnosed family in San Luis Obispo, California, is following in their footsteps this year! Melissa Gutierrez Hellewell’s daughter Mía started her T1D journey on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, and they’ve turned their Christmas Candy Cane Lane Light Show into a fundraiser honoring her with a goal of $2,200.
And don’t worry—you can also get in on the action by starting a Breakthrough T1D Your Way fundraiser of your own. You’ll be joining a community united by the bold vision of a world without T1D!
You rode. We cheered you on. Together, we fueled type 1 diabetes (T1D) breakthroughs.
1,600+
Total number of Riders in 2025
9
Countries represented for Ride 2025
200+
Ride volunteers in 2025
5
Ride locations explored in 2025
$8.2 million
Total dollars raised by Ride in 2025
12
Ride 2025 Corporate Teams
Our Riders are united by a common goal: a world without type 1 diabetes.
The passion of our community is unparalleled. We made a leaderboard of our top fundraisers.
Top Fundraisers in 2025
Joseph Mure
Karen Case
William Freeman
Patrick McFeeley
Lyn Stubblefield
Top Chapter Teams in 2025
Illinois Chapter
Wisconsin Chapter
Greater New York Metro Chapter
North Carolina Chapter
Pacific Northwest Chapter
Top Corporate Teams in 2025
Medtronic
Novo Nordisk
Hy-Vee
Transcarent
Chesapeake Community Advisors
Breakthrough T1D Ride is more than cycling—it’s a movement to cure type 1 diabetes.
I am truly humbled by the dedication of this community.”
Thanks to organizations like Breakthrough T1D, managing type 1 diabetes is easier than it’s ever been. But it’s still an all day, every day disease. After five decades, I am ready for a cure.”
I couldn’t be prouder to stand with this community and help pave the way for cures.”
My dad has been riding with Breakthrough T1D since I was diagnosed. Together, we’ll all get closer to creating a world without T1D.”
Join us in 2026 as we Ride toward a future without T1D!
Forrest Johnson is no stranger to endurance. An avid runner, he’s completed 56 marathons, including one in every U.S. state and three of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. But when his four-year-old daughter Mary Blair was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2016, every step took on a new purpose—to run for Mary Blair and for everyone living with T1D.
It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, and Forrest marked the occasion by embarking on a globe-spanning, 184-mile sprint with The Great World Race: seven marathons across seven continents in just seven days. He fundraised for breakthroughs with Breakthrough T1D My Run the whole way, too!
Things kicked off on Saturday, November 15, with a frozen runway dash in Wolf’s Fang, Antarctica, followed by contests in Cape Town for Africa, Perth for Australia, Abu Dhabi for Asia, Algarve for Europe, and Cartagena for South America before the North American finisher on Friday, November 21, at sunny South Beach in Miami.
Lisa Fishbone Wallack, Chair of Breakthrough T1D’s International Board of Directors, met Forrest at this year’s Chicago Marathon and is excited to cheer him on.
“Our community lifts one another up every day,” Wallack said. “Forrest’s intercontinental journey putting in the miles for T1D is an extraordinary example of the dedication and resilience of our community.”
Ready to race
This isn’t Breakthrough T1D’s first brush with intercontinental track-and-field (in 2019, Eric Tozer became one of the first people with T1D to complete the race) but Forrest carried the strength of his family and the hopes of countless others who dream of a world without T1D to all seven continents. And he says being a parent to a child with T1D is a lot like running a marathon—preparation is key but so is expecting the unexpected.
“Whether it’s a hot race or rain, an insulin pump malfunction or a stubborn low that won’t come up; you must be prepared for adversity, and you have to have the mindset that you will persevere,” Forrest said. “No matter what, quitting is not an option.”
Backcountry beginnings
When Mary Blair was diagnosed in 2016, Forrest was in the backcountry at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
“The camp sent a ranger to track our group down and told me I needed to call home immediately,” he said. “I was devastated. I remember standing on top of a rock at a high point trying to get a cell signal.”
“Mary Blair was a healthy, happy, perfect four-year-old and it was extremely frustrating that there was nothing I could do to fix it,” he added.
Almost a decade later, Forrest has some advice for parents navigating a recent diagnosis.
“Take a deep breath. It’s going to get better, but not tomorrow,” he said. “Life will eventually improve and there will be a new normal.”
Giving yourself grace
He also stresses the importance of “giving yourself grace” to process the emotions that naturally come as a part of learning your child is now living with T1D.
“It’s OK to be mad and it’s OK to be frustrated, for a while, but you have to turn the corner and channel the negative emotions for good,” Forrest said. “The children that live with T1D are resilient and tough. This resiliency and toughness can lead them to very successful paths. This is my hope for Mary Blair, and for all the children living with T1D.”
And that resiliency and grit is the fuel Forrest uses when running to push through “the wall” and keep moving forward.
“There are no days off with T1D and Mary Blair teaches me to show up every single day and every single mile,” Forrest said. “I apply this principal to running and take the mindset that I will persevere no matter what.”
Plus, Forrest says, momentum breeds confidence—and that helps you reach the finish line.
“This is exactly how I think about the great work Breakthrough T1D is doing,” he said. “Each step, each breakthrough is getting us closer and closer to our goal of a world without T1D. It’s not a question of if it will happen, but a question of when.”
Join a community that’s passionate about dedicating their miles towards mission and register today!
Breakthrough T1D Your Way lets you put your time, talent, and creativity to work to help create a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). You name it, we support you!
Whether it’s through a special occasion, athletic event, memorial, or your own unique idea, Breakthrough T1D gives you the tools and tips you need to fundraise—your way—for T1D research.
Meet some members of the T1D community who are fundraising their way to advance research breakthroughs:
Punts for the Cure
Connor Stutz’s father and sister both live with T1D, so he grew up witnessing firsthand the 24/7 battle they face. As a punter for the UConn Huskies, he’s using his platform to raise awareness and support.
“I’m dedicating every punt, every yard, and every moment of my season to them,” Connor said. “Their strength inspires me every day.”
He set a fundraising goal of $1,700, in honor of his jersey number 17.
“My job is about precision, fighting for field position, and putting my team in the best possible spot to win,” he said. “This season, I’m taking that same fight to a cause that’s deeply personal to me and my family: finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.”
Not Just Brunch
Not Just Brunch is an event founded in 2021 by Tosin Smith-Adesanoye, MD. It has a simple yet powerful vision: to create a space where women can gather in grace, support one another, and grow into the fullness of who they are as daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, friends, and leaders.
This year, the annual celebration is about more than just togetherness, it is about purpose. Dr. Smith-Adesanoye’s daughter, Fara, was diagnosed with T1D when she was 6 years old. “Living with T1D has taught me strength, resilience, and the power of support,” Fara said. “Breakthrough T1D gives people with T1D the chance to live full, empowered lives”
Not Just Brunch hopes to raise $100,000 for T1D cures.
LBI House Tour for T1D
Patrick and Monica Moeller, who have a son and extended family living with T1D, love to tour homes as a hobby. They turned this passion into their first Breakthrough T1D Your Way fundraiser.
Supporters toured various beach houses on Long Beach Island in New Jersey, getting an inside look at the stunning residences that capture the essence of the area and its architecture. Their 2025 fundraising event was such a success, they’re already planning for next year!
Join a community united by a bold vision: a world without type 1 diabetes
Breakthrough T1D Walk is a nationwide movement dedicated to raising awareness of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and funding research to improve life with T1D while driving toward cures. As the largest event of its kind, it empowers individuals and teams to take action for the T1D community.
Our corporate teams are instrumental in our mission to make T1D a thing of the past. Campi Dental, located in Wall Township, NJ, is staying true to its own mission of community support by participating in their local Breakthrough T1D Walk for the first time this year.
Campi Cares
Giving back is part of Campi Dental’s DNA, rooted in a legacy that began with their founder, Dr. John Campi. His passion for service set the standard that continues to inspire the team today. “As a family-owned practice now in its fourth generation, we’ve always believed that caring for people extends outside the walls of our office,” said Cheryl Campi, VP of Operations. “Supporting causes that improve lives naturally aligns with the values Dr. John instilled in us.”
Campi Cares is the philanthropic arm of Campi Dental. “It’s our way of giving back to the communities that have supported our practice for over 90 years,” Cheryl said. “For us, dentistry goes beyond teeth; it’s about creating a healthier, stronger community.”
A personal cause
Campi Dental’s support of Breakthrough T1D is also personal. The family recently welcomed a new member, Aria, who married Jack Campi this past May. Aria was diagnosed with T1D when she was 13 years old and has lived with the daily challenges of it for nearly a decade. “Her courage, positivity, and determination to live her life unlimited by her condition truly inspired us,” Cheryl said. “Sponsoring Aria in the Breakthrough T1D Walk was a natural decision; we wanted to rally around her, raise awareness, and help advance research towards a cure.”
Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed appreciation for Campi Dental’s openness in sharing Aria’s story and connecting the practice to such a meaningful cause. “Several have told us that they or their loved ones are affected by diabetes, and they feel proud to see their dental office taking an active role in raising awareness,” Cheryl said. “It has sparked conversations, encouragement, and a sense of togetherness beyond dental care.”
Join the movement to transform life with type 1 diabetes!
Your story matters
Living with T1D looks different for everyone. We want to hear your story: the highs, the lows, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the people who have supported you on your journey.
