The 2017 Hope Gala honoring the Micatrotto Family raised more than $1.57 million dollars at Mandalay Bay on May 19, 2017 to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications.

“We are grateful for the incredible support of community and business leaders here in Southern Nevada,” said Colleen Saca, Executive Director of the Breakthrough T1D Nevada Chapter. “The dollars raised at this year’s event will help lighten the burden on 1.25 million Americans with type 1 diabetes and help us realize our vision of a world without T1D.”

The crowd participated in a silent auction and live auction, bidding on items including a Kentucky Derby experience, which sold for an impressive $24,000! The evening ended with the signature Breakthrough T1D Fund A Cure, a staple of the Breakthrough T1D Gala program. Guests raised their bid cards enthusiastically, knowing 100 percent of all tax-deductible contributions will fund research for Breakthrough T1D’s most crucial research priorities.

More than 100 Breakthrough T1D Galas take place each year in the United States, bringing together thousands of people who are inspired by Breakthrough T1D’s mission. As a signature Breakthrough T1D fundraising event, the Breakthrough T1D Gala Program has raised over $924 million for life-changing T1D research—research that has led to breakthrough discoveries, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. Although there has been considerable progress, there is so much more we have yet to accomplish.

The Breakthrough T1D Nevada Chapter gratefully acknowledges its event partners including: Liquor Library, Chris & Cathy Haase, Richard Worthington & Diane Boyle, the Mason family, Joe & Connie Micatrotto, Joe & Sunshine Micatrotto, Justin & Renata Micatrotto, MRG Marketing & Management, Inc., Alan Morris & Pia Exber-Morris, Mutual of Omaha Bank, Cathy Nordling, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Blanchard and Company, Inc., NextGen Integrated Solutions, Rex Verley, Palm Medical Group, 1st Century Bank, Bank of Nevada, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Lev Restaurant Group, Lilly Diabetes, Meadows Bank, Nevada State Bank, Nevada Title/Nevada Construction Services, Otis Elevator, and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

“Thank you to the Micatrotto Family, Pia Exber-Morris, Jan Farris, our entire auction committee, and our dedicated volunteers for making this year’s gala such a success,” said Saca. “Together, we will turn type one into type none. Thank you!”