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!

It’s now part of my morning routine, but not in the way most type 1 diabetes (T1D) parents would expect.

I grab my phone, open the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) app, and squeal with delight while wiping a strange salty substance from my eyes.

Because, just about every morning, I see something I thought would never be possible in my daughter’s 28 years of living with T1D: a perfectly straight line, totally in range.

It feels—and I not only don’t use this word lightly, but I’ve also never actually used it for a diabetes breakthrough before—transformational.

Starting a new T1D tool

My daughter, Lauren, diagnosed with T1D at age 6 and now almost 34, was late to the game when it came to automated insulin delivery (AID) system adoption. But, about three months ago, she–as her amazing adult endocrinologist kept telling me she someday would when she was ready–decided to give it a try. She chose one of the new, snappy automated insulin delivery systems as her newest tool after a seven-year pump break using pens and a CGM. 

She was nervous. She’d experienced some tough years of burnout in the past and had long connected that with using a pump. She was hopeful, but skeptical. 

It took her about 24 hours to realize this was truly worth it. And it took me about as much time to feel saved. Saved!

And here’s the cool thing: As long-time JDF, then JDRF, and now Breakthrough T1D volunteers, we absolutely saved ourselves.

That’s because, raising our hands from nearly the start (we attended our first Walk a year after her diagnosis), we were able to not only dream of what could be, but also make it happen.

There’s power and beauty in that, at a level I didn’t anticipate. And that’s the story I want to share. How we, just an average American family impacted by T1D, were able to lead, push, advocate, and win our way to access to smart devices like automated insulin delivery systems. We helped create a solution.

I should preface this with a fact: I’ve never been one to worry about my daughter. I attribute that to having raised her before technology and before the internet. We learned to trust and know that sometimes things go awry, but we can fix them.

But all T1D parents worry. Me? I worried about way, way down the road. Would she be okay in her midlife and later? I wasn’t sure.

Fueling breakthroughs from the ground up

Nearly 20 years ago, I was at an International Board of Directors meeting when then member Jeffrey Brewer had what I call his “pound the shoe on the table” moment. He offered $1 million with the stipulation that we, as an organization and as people passionate about a cure, also focus on creating technology to help people live better with T1D.

I was all in. 

As National Advocacy Chair at the time, I helped our organization find funding and people for the original CGM trials. (Did you know no one else would do it, so we just did it ourselves with such great success that industry jumped on board?) We also fought for coverage—we literally found a person in every major insurance plan and filled out paperwork to get the first person covered in each, setting the precedent and swinging the doors open for all (well, almost all; insurance is a work in progress). 

We did the Walks—our team, “Got Islets,” was one of the most successful in the nation. Then my daughter and I did the Rides, with our many friends continuing to donate after decades of us asking. Being directly involved gave me a voice in where funding went and how we focused our efforts. To me, tools that lessen the daily, hour-by-hour burden just made sense.

But, until a few months ago, it lived only in my imagination. While we’d always been early adopters (Lauren was the first young child in our state to go on a pump and one of the first in America to go on a CGM), as I said, it took time for her to be ready for this.

Little victories add up to big outcomes

Friends, it’s not a fever dream. This is real, and it’s spectacular. My daughter’s A1c fell quickly to nearly non-diabetic range. Her other labs are, as her endocrinologist said, “those of a person without diabetes.” 

But more than that: She feels great! “Mom,” she told me the other day, “this sleeping all night thing? It’s pretty great!”

She feels more focused and refreshed—and since she works in advocacy fighting for coverage and treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, that matters. 

A Soul Cycle and Pilates enthusiast, she’s finally solved her workout dilemma. Before the automated insulin delivery system, her pattern was this: work out hard, crash low, eat all the carbs on the planet, marinate in remorse. Now? Activity mode works like a charm for her. No more blood sugar crashes, and way more workout satisfaction. Post-workout, she marinates in the feeling of success. The little things are the big things.

Finding our voice for powerful change

When we talk about my daughter’s improvements (and they’re such a big deal, we talk about them a lot!), we always go back to how we helped make this happen.

Like any long, long-term relationship, the organization and I have had our ups and downs. But I realize this: Had I not stumbled upon that Walk in 1998 (thank you, Marshall’s employee, for asking me if I wanted to give a dollar to help cure diabetes. Look what you did!), we may not have found our power, our voices, and our ability to bring positive change. And that feeling of having been a part of bettering her life firsthand? It’s incredible. We found power in what felt like a powerless future.

By the way, that “we” is more than my family. Every time I bump into friends who are long-time donors to this cause, I click on my phone, show them her in-range chart, and cry as I tell them, “YOU did this for us. YOU made this happen. I promised you every time you donated, I’d never just let your money go into a black hole. Here’s the proof. You did this for my kid.”

And me? An average suburban mom, given what seemed on day 1 to be an unbearable burden? Rather than give in to that, Breakthrough T1D helped me rise from it.

If you see me around, ask me to show you the graph I looked at that morning. When that salty substance leaks down my cheeks, know those are tears of joy.

And of thanks. We did what every parent dreams of: me, my friends, and Breakthrough T1D changed my child’s life for the better. This mom is over the moon. I cannot wait to see what the next generation of T1D parents and people living with T1D make happen. Because it’s truly in our hands. 

We are our own solution. And from this view, that feels pretty darn great.

When Charlie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in February 2015, he was just 22 months old. His family had recently moved to a new state, far from the support network they once knew, and were navigating not only the complexities of a T1D diagnosis but also other serious medical challenges that required constant care and vigilance.



Charlie couldn’t walk independently, and his respiratory issues meant every day carried a little extra weight. Ashleigh, his mom, was a stay-at-home parent at the time, managing life with Charlie and his sister, Violet. The early years were isolating—a new town, a new diagnosis, a new reality. But in May of 2017, something changed.

Finding a community of support

Ashleigh came across a Walk organized by Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) and signed up on a whim. She didn’t expect much. But when the day came, the support was overwhelming. That single act—joining the Walk—sparked something powerful. From that first event, Charlie’s Checkers was born.

Their extended family rallied around them, and a growing community formed. Since their first steps as a Walk team, Charlie’s Checkers has grown into a mission-driven force, fueled by love, resilience, and a fierce commitment to helping other families impacted by T1D.

Together, they’ve raised nearly $100,000 to help fund research to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes.



Charlie himself didn’t care much about the Walk—as long as he got to enjoy the ride around the lake in his wagon, he was content. He was a kid who took his time warming up to people, but once he did, he carved out a permanent place in their hearts. To know Charlie was to love him.

A legacy that lives on

In June of 2023, Charlie developed sepsis and was hospitalized for over three weeks. On July 1, 2023, he passed away from complications. He was ten years old.

Today, Charlie’s Checkers continues—no longer just walking in his honor, but in his memory. The mission remains the same: to support Breakthrough T1D’s work in driving awareness, education, and critical research. Through heartbreak and healing, Charlie’s legacy lives on in every step his team takes.



And they’re just getting started.

By Ashleigh Sand, Charlie’s mother

Living a full and healthy life with type 1 diabetes (T1D) became clear to Matt Edgington when he was a teenager. He had been living with T1D since the age of 4, but his teenage years brought frustration and burnout. He didn’t check his blood sugar enough or administer the right amounts of insulin, resulting in a less-than-ideal A1C. “Coupling hormones with an attitude-filled teenager was just a recipe for disaster,” he said. “I wish I could say that was some kind of wake-up call, but it really wasn’t.”

Around that time, Matt started riding mountain bikes with his older brother and friends. That was the start of a major shift in his life. “As I started to ride more, everything just started to click: the better my blood sugar was, the better I was able to ride. The more I rode, the easier it was to control my blood sugar. It became a revolving door that had a huge impact on my life.”

Team Mattman

When Matt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it didn’t entirely come as a surprise. His father, Ruedy, was diagnosed with T1D in 1970 at age 12 (and told by his doctor that he wouldn’t live to be 18!). “It was obviously horrible for them, but it wasn’t like this brand new, unknown thing,” Matt said. “My dad had been managing his T1D for 30 years at that point, and my mom was familiar with the day-to-day life of it.”

The Edgingtons immediately got involved with Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF), starting a Walk team, Team Mattman, in their Reno, NV, chapter that continued for the next 14 years. “That was, hands down, my favorite day of the year, every year,” Matt said. “I used to autograph everyone on my team’s shirt!”

Grabbing fundraising by the handlebars

As Matt got older, the Edgington family started looking for new ways to support the T1D community. “We still had a desire to be involved and continue to raise money, so, as a cycling family, our efforts naturally rolled over right into doing Rides,” Matt said.

Breakthrough T1D Ride also felt like something he could stamp as his own way to raise money and awareness for type 1 diabetes after his family had led efforts for so many years. “Riding at the front with the fast riders, and now being a Ride coach, feels like the first contribution that I am making on my own to the organization,” he said.

Ride coaching was a natural evolution for Matt, who now lives in Utah. “It’s the most outdoorsy community I have ever been around, so it felt like a huge opportunity to grow the Ride program here,” he said.

To date, Matt’s parents have done more than 25 Rides. This year will mark Matt’s 15^th Ride.

Confidence through cycling

Cycling has given Matt confidence he never imagined. He recently completed a 100-mile mountain bike race in Leadville, CO, and considers that his biggest T1D success. “Training and completing that ride was a huge statement that a person living with type 1 diabetes can do anything.”

But to Matt, now more than 25 years into his T1D journey, there is still no cycling event quite like the Breakthrough T1D Ride. “It’s an inspiration: the people with T1D all on their bikes fighting for the same cause.”

Written by David Corsaro, Matthew’s father

Why do we walk? We walk because of a memory.

We may never lose the memory of sitting in a hospital room when the doctor told us that our 15-month-old son Matthew, a baby with his entire life in front of him full of open possibilities, had type 1 diabetes (T1D). We were told he would spend the rest of his life monitoring his blood sugar, receiving insulin, and being very aware of things that many of us never have to think about, like his glucose level and beta cells in his pancreas.

When we were connected with Breakthrough T1D, it was an awakening. We met people going through the same roller coaster of emotions that we were. We met people who told us, “We understand,” in a way that our family and friends could not.

The road also travels both ways. We have been fortunate enough to speak to the parents of newly diagnosed children and look into their eyes. We have been able to provide a comforting word or hug to someone who felt the same way we did after diagnosis.

Within one month of Matthew’s diagnosis, we signed up for the Breakthrough T1D Walk. Instead of feeling helpless because there is no cure, we looked at it as discovering a new cause that we had to fight for. It was something that was within our control to help make his life better.

So why do we walk with Breakthrough T1D? Because of a memory.

A memory of Matthew standing on stage at the Breakthrough T1D Walk, watching him take the microphone to start the event countdown.

But most of all, we walk because of the memory of Matthew saying, “I wish I did not have diabetes,” and knowing that the research funded by Breakthrough T1D will improve his way of life and take us a step closer to his wish of finding cures.

Breakthrough T1D Walk is a nationwide movement where thousands rally to transform the future for those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). As the largest global event for the T1D community, Walk brings together those impacted by T1D to celebrate, educate, and fundraise for T1D research.

There are many ways to participate in a Breakthrough T1D Walk, from forming a friends and family team to starting a corporate team or building a virtual team! Meet three teams that are changing the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, one step at a time.

Stronger Together: The Power of Family

Oliver Christy was two years old when he was diagnosed with T1D in 2010. His family immediately jumped into action and started the Breakthrough T1D Walk team, Jolly Ollie, to raise funds for T1D research.

“I love the sense of community at the walk,” Oliver’s mom Karla said. “It was nice to not have people staring at us when we gave Oliver a shot of insulin so he could eat a snack. We watched someone change their pump site right out in the open!”

Because first-degree family members are at an increased risk for developing the condition, Oliver’s siblings, Miles and Stella, were screened shortly after their brother’s diagnosis. Stella had no T1D autoantibodies; Miles had one. The Christy family spent the next several years cautiously optimistic.

Then, in 2019, Stella was diagnosed with T1D after being admitted to the hospital with a blood glucose reading of over 900. Since Team Jolly Ollie no longer worked, the family changed the team’s name to Stronger Together.

Earlier this year, Miles was diagnosed with T1D. Whereas Oliver and Stella were diagnosed in Stage 3 (symptomatic) T1D, thanks to early detection, the doctors identified the condition in Miles at an early stage, avoiding a scary emergency diagnosis like his older siblings.

Most recently, the mother of one of Oliver’s friends was diagnosed with T1D in her 40s. The Christy family has more reasons than ever to be Stronger Together. “T1D can feel like an island sometimes,” Karla said. “The Walk is a reminder that we have a support group. It takes a village, and I am thankful for ours.”

Team Lilly: A Corporation That Cares

Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care for over 100 years, since launching the first commercially available insulin in 1923. As a valued Breakthrough T1D partner since 1997, Lilly has raised millions through various initiatives and donated millions directly to research. 

The Breakthrough T1D Walk is an important way for Lilly to show support for the local T1D communities and engage its employees in a cause that’s important to them. By gathering at walks across the country and raising money for type 1 diabetes research, Lilly team members hope to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes while enjoying time together outside of the office!

Bianca and Olivia’s T1D Support Squad: Virtually Powering Breakthroughs

In August 2000, at age 5, Olivia Volpetti was diagnosed with T1D during a routine physical. Since then, the Volpetti family has been determined to make a difference, raising awareness and funds for T1D research through Breakthrough T1D Walk. “Walk is a core memory for us,” Olivia’s sister, Bianca, said.

In 2023, Bianca was planning her wedding but wasn’t feeling like herself—she attributed her weight loss and increased appetite to how busy she was. A visit to the doctor and then the hospital revealed she was in DKA and had T1D. “As Olivia would tell you, it’s because I obviously had to copy her,” Bianca joked.

Today, Olivia is “Dr. Liv,” a 29-year-old occupational therapist, and Bianca is happily married. Both are thriving.

More than ever, Olivia and Bianca’s mom, Donna, is a champion for her daughters and a devoted fundraiser for T1D research. “I am very grateful for all the ways that we now have to keep T1D under control and for those affected to live healthy, active lives,” she said. “My daughters are doing great because of it all.”

This year, the Volpetti family is holding a virtual walk the weekend of Thanksgiving so all their friends and family, near and far, can help fuel the breakthroughs that have allowed Olivia and Bianca to live their lives to the fullest.

Join the movement to transform life with type 1 diabetes. Start your own Breakthrough T1D Walk team today!

By Ellie Peterson

Though I do not live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) myself, I have witnessed firsthand the strength of those who do. My mom was diagnosed with T1D as a teenager, so T1D, and later the organization Breakthrough T1D, helped shape not only my relationship with and perception of my mother but also my adolescence. By witnessing how my mom has lived and thrived with T1D, I have developed a deep respect for her and a strong attachment to Breakthrough T1D’s mission. 

Something specific that sticks out to me when I think back on my childhood in relation to my mom’s T1D is how safe she made it feel. I don’t have any memory of being scared for her, though I know she experienced health scares throughout my childhood. She would always reassure me that the finger pricks didn’t hurt, and I remember having a strange affinity for the glucose tablets that I would take alongside her in the car when she was low. I remember her explaining T1D to me as a kid in a way that was simple and age-appropriate, leading me to view it as merely a part of her life. I knew T1D as something that was a part of who she was but not something that limited or defined her.  

Though my mom is extremely independent, I think her T1D invited a certain level of vulnerability that allowed us to become closer. I learned empathy and understanding and the ability to see and respect resilience, all of which I value deeply and will carry with me throughout my life.  

Even in moments of struggle, my mom shielded my siblings and me from worrying excessively. She was able to admirably balance her health with raising three kids in a way that equally educated us and aimed to protect us from concern. She juggled medical implications, dietary considerations, and blood-sugar scares with grace. As an adult who now understands more clearly the complexities and daily struggles that come with having T1D, my respect and admiration for my mother have grown.

I also want to acknowledge that my mom has had the great privilege of an amazing and supportive network through Breakthrough T1D that provided not only community but also technology that has directly improved her quality of life. My mom was also fortunate to have extremely supportive and dedicated parents, who, shortly after my mom’s diagnosis, co-founded the Mississippi chapter and have been dedicated advocates for Breakthrough T1D’s mission since.  

A heartwarming memory that I have to mention when discussing familial support is one of my dad. In my senior year of high school, my dad ran 268 miles between September and October to raise money for Breakthrough T1D before the annual Walk. He had me make custom signs to thank each donor (pictured at left). His love and support of both my mom and Breakthrough T1D are so inspiring to me and speak not only to his dedication and respect for my mom but also to the community Breakthrough T1D provides.  

As I enter into adulthood and begin my internship at Breakthrough T1D this summer, I carry with me the respect and admiration I have for my mom and the organization Breakthrough T1D itself. Her journey with T1D, her strength, and her outlook on life have shaped me into the person I am today. 

L-R: Saige, Samantha, and Doug Merwin at the 2022 Breakthrough T1D Ride in Saratoga Springs, NY

After their child, Saige, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 17 months old, Doug and Samantha Merwin turned to Breakthrough T1D for support.

There, they found their purpose.

First, the Merwin family joined One Walk, which inspired them to get more involved. They helped set up local T1D playgroups and worked with other parent advocates to create a local Facebook parent group, now almost 700 parents strong! Years later, Samantha worked closely with their chapter to help establish consistent community events. “My goal was—and still is—that no family should feel isolated at diagnosis,” Samantha said.

Their work with Breakthrough T1D continued to expand to include advocacy and participation on their community board, where Samantha is currently starting her third term as community engagement lead. “People often think I work at Breakthrough T1D since I volunteer at everything,” she said. “But I just do what is needed to support the T1D community.” In addition, Saige has served as a Youth Ambassador, a Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Delegate, and a volunteer at countless local Breakthrough T1D events.

In honor of Saige’s 10-year diaversary, the Merwins decided to participate in Walk, Ride, and Team Breakthrough T1D…all in the same year! The rest, they say, is history.

Tenacity for T1D

Saige and Samantha at the 2017 RunDisney Marathon Weekend 5K as part of Team Breakthrough T1D

Saige and Samantha started running together with Team Breakthrough T1D in 2016. “It’s such a special weekend,” Samantha said. “I love the energy, the commitment of the runners, and, of course, standing in the corrals at 3:30 a.m. waiting for the race to start.” To date, Saige and Samantha have run over 70 miles for Breakthrough T1D.

The Merwins started a fundraiser for Team Breakthrough T1D that has now carried over to Ride: they write the names of all their donors on their legs for the event. “When the ride or run gets hard, we tell them we will look down and remember that we are participating for everyone in the community, not just our family,” Samantha said.

Doug and Saige with donor names written on their legs for inspiration

Their journey with Breakthrough T1D Ride began in 2017 in Saratoga Springs, where Samantha and Saige volunteered at the finish line. It became their standard volunteer post, including the following year, when Samantha and Doug planned something special. “Saige thought Doug was working and couldn’t volunteer with us,” Samantha said. “It was a huge surprise when he crossed the finish line!”

Saige started riding with Doug in 2022. That year’s Ride held a special meaning for Samantha—she was able to put a medal around both her husband’s and child’s necks after they crossed the finish line. She was also awarded the Volunteer Dedication Jersey, which was incredibly humbling. “I truly appreciate how the Ride community embraced our family from the beginning and look forward to volunteering every year,” she said.

For Saige, the 2023 Ride in Burlington, VT, stands out. “It was my longest distance ride yet at 78.6 miles! Also, riding in the pouring rain with other people with T1D was memorable.”

This year will be Saige’s third Ride. So far, Saige has ridden 172 miles and plans to increase that number by 100 this year!

Hope for the Future

Volunteering and fundraising for Breakthrough T1D gives the Merwin family hope. “I look at how much simpler it is for Saige to manage T1D now versus years ago,” Samantha said. “Breakthrough T1D’s research funding is our best chance for a better life for Saige.”

The Merwins are also fierce advocates for affordable insulin and know their efforts are making an impact. “The funding for Civica is so critical, especially now with the insulin shortages, which we have been personally impacted by,” Doug said.

Saige will head to college in the Fall of 2025 to study meteorology and get more involved with technology. Breakthrough T1D will be there every step of the way. “I won’t stop until we cross our ultimate finish line: cures.”

Register now for a 2024 Breakthrough T1D Ride!

Go the distance and register for a Team Breakthrough T1D event today!

Breakthrough T1D One World is a virtual world built for Roblox, the #1 online gaming platform for kids and teens. It’s a family-friendly place where people of all ages can get together, play games, and learn about type 1 diabetes (T1D). It features minigames like Trivia Tug of War and Parkour, educational booths to about T1D, and an exclusive V1P tent that you can get into by collecting coins around the world.

Breakthrough T1D One World is constantly transforming and expanding. A collaboration with Breakthrough T1D UK added landmarks like Big Ben, Stonehenge, and the Loch Ness Monster. Other newer features include a “Quest for the Golden Rufus” treasure hunt and even a Washington, D.C. side quest in honor of Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress. With an 89% positive user rating on its latest game expansion, Breakthrough T1D One World is a hit!

Charity Walk Simulator

Nearly four years later, Breakthrough T1D One World has announced its biggest content update yet: Charity Walk Simulator. Breakthrough T1D One World’s newest game mode is a tycoon simulator that puts players in charge of their very own Breakthrough T1D One Walk.

Breakthrough T1D Game2Give Ambassador Toonafeesh with his son, Tiny Toona

The goal of Charity Walk Simulator is simple: players have to walk! Steps add up to earn players Blue Hearts, which can be used to build booths along the walkway, dress up avatars with fun accessories, and get power-ups. Charity Walk Simulator also has new non-player characters to chat with, trivia questions to answer, obstacle courses to master, and leaderboards where players can compete to accrue the most steps.

10-year-old Breakthrough T1D One World player Tiny Toona, diagnosed with T1D at age 4, likes all the opportunities to explore in the game. “I unlocked a holographic Game2Give logo that was my favorite,” he said.

“It’s really cool,” says 7-year-old Jack, who was diagnosed with T1D a little over a year ago. “It shows you that having T1D doesn’t stop you from doing fun types of activities!”

Meeting kids where they’re at

Kids today spend a more significant amount of time in virtual settings, whether it’s playing video games or remote learning. Breakthrough T1D’s One World meets kids with T1D where they’re at to provide a sense of community and connection.

Breakthrough T1D One World player Jack and his mom, Jordana

Jack’s mom, Jordana, believes Breakthrough T1D’s presence in Roblox helps her son feel more confident about living with type 1 diabetes. “I find it so wonderful that Roblox has provided a T1D-friendly platform for a game like Charity Walk Simulator,” she said. “I can’t think of a better way for Roblox to normalize T1D than having this kind of game.”

Toonafeesh, Tiny Toona’s dad and a Breakthrough T1D Game2Give Ambassador, views streaming and playing video games with his son as a unique way to make a difference. “Breakthrough T1D One World is a great tool to raise awareness and educate people who may not understand what having type 1 diabetes means,” he said.

A world that keeps growing

Breakthrough T1D has big plans for more One World expansions, including a virtual walk fundraising option.

“For those who cannot make it to a physical One Walk location, the participant can still fundraise and then get their steps in via Breakthrough T1D One World,” says Josh Larson, Breakthrough T1D Game2Give National Director.

These digital complements to in-person programs at Breakthrough T1D inspire and motivate the T1D and gaming communities.

“There is a lot of optimism regarding the work that Breakthrough T1D and so many others are doing,” Toonafeesh said. “Game2Give gives us an opportunity to keep pushing for a cure.”

Breakthrough T1D Game2Give® is building community, advancing research, and making a difference, one video game at a time. Get involved today at https://jdrfgame2give.org/.

Mike Haenni (back center) at his first Breakthrough T1D Walk (formerly JDRF One Walk) with Kayla’s mom, Trisha Yettke (far left) 

Breakthrough T1D Walk (formerly JDRF One Walk) is more than a fundraiser, it’s a community. Meet two Walk team members who found support and inspiration in one another. 

Mike: Living with T1D for 49 years 

In the mid-1970s, Mike Haenni was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 26. The diagnosis came as a surprise, even though his father lived with the condition. “I erroneously believed I was immune because type 1 skipped generations,” Mike said.  

His initial healthcare provider was a general family practitioner. He soon switched to more specialized care, where his T1D management improved…and continues to. “Initially, I checked my glucose through urine and tablets in a tube, then finger sticks,” he recalled. “Today, I do it using a continuous glucose monitor and pump.” 

Kayla: Living with T1D for 19 Years 

In the mid-2000s, Kayla Taszarek was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 10. The diagnosis came as a surprise, but her family was already very familiar with T1D. “I’d grown up with knowledge of type 1 diabetes because my mom was diagnosed in 1977,” she said. 

Kayla has seen “drastic improvements” in her T1D care since her diagnosis, especially with automated insulin delivery systems. “There are still plenty of ups and downs and difficult days, but the safety features, more sleep, and more time-in-range have significantly impacted my quality of life,” she said. 

A New T1D Champion 

A few years ago, Kayla and her husband bought a house and got to know their neighbors—one of them was Mike! “My mother-in-law knew Mike and that he had T1D,” Kayla said. “She made that connection for us.” 

Kayla, a development manager at Breakthrough T1D’s  Kansas and Missouri Chapter, encouraged Mike to join the Breakthrough T1D Walk team she leads with her mom, Blondes with ‘Betes, so he could experience the huge local T1D support community. “Walk is our day for anyone and everyone to come together,” she said. “Whether you’re a child or an adult, you get to celebrate your strength and walk together towards a future without type 1 diabetes.” 

Mike jumped right in and invited his daughter and son-in-law to join. He even joined the T1D parade as part of the 20+ Year Champions group. “I can’t think of a more impactful way to feel the energy of Walk,” Kayla said.  

 Mike is very thankful that Kayla showed him the incredible Walk community, and they’re both looking forward to walking in the coming years. “To feel the love and support of your community means everything, whether it’s your first Walk or your tenth,” Kayla said. 

The Breakthrough T1D Walk accelerates research, powers advocacy, and provides support for everyone living with T1D. Registration is open now! Find your Walk at walk.BreakthroughT1D.org.