Breakthrough T1D Gala

Tom and I are the parents of 4 children, Nicole 43, Jackie 41, Brian 39 and Trisha 34. When Brian was 2, he and his sisters had the flu. Brian woke up late in the evening soaking wet and looked dehydrated. I immediately called the doctor and said I thought it was possible he was diabetic. Tom’s older sister was diagnosed when she was 4 so I had educated myself on it. Sure enough he was diagnosed with T1D and hospitalized. Ever since that day in February, our family has been involved with JDF, as it was known at that time. We have run walks and third party beef and beers. We’ve volunteered fashion shows and the Gala. Brian and I and occasionally Tom would speak to the parents of newly diagnosed children. When Brian was diagnosed, a finger stick was all we had and no cell phones for emergencies. I have seen amazing advancements in dealing with T1D but “dealing” with it is not enough. We will not quit until a cure is found. 

In 2002, when our middle child, Griffin, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of two, our family’s world was profoundly changed. As a parent, the inability to cure him was a heavy burden. However, I found hope and purpose in dedicating myself to volunteering and fundraising for Breakthrough T1D. Over the past two decades, this commitment has been my lifeline, allowing me to contribute to the pursuit of a cure FOR Griffin and so many others we have met along the way. Alongside my husband and three wonderful children, our journey has been one of resilience, hope, and unwavering dedication to the diabetes community.   

Cindy Kramer’s son Jake was diagnosed with T1D when he was 3 years old, which was 23 years ago.  When I reflect back it was a lifetime ago.  Jake was experiencing flu- like symptoms so to keep him hydrated, I was giving him apple juice and ginger ale.  After he was not feeling better, I took him to the pediatrician who gave Jake a urine test and told me that they thought that Jake had T1D and sent me directly to CHOP.  Little did I know at the time that Jake’s blood sugar was dangerously high and over 900.  

When I was leaving the office, I told the doctor that I was going to stop home and get a few things and they told me to go directly to the CHOP.  It was then that I first realized the potential severity of Jake’s illness.  I called my husband Steven and explained the situation and asked him to leave work and meet us at CHOP. In that moment, Jake’s life and our family’s life had materially changed in a blink of an eye. It took 5 days to stabilize Jake.  

At the time, I worked as a Finance Director in the Health Care industry.  When Jake was diagnosed, I decided to stay home and care and advocate for him. Breakthrough T1D (known at the time as JDRF) was there for our family at every turn. Over the years, I participated in Walk to Cure, Ride to Cure, Outreach, Gala, Golf, Executive Committee, Nominating Committee and third party events. I also joined the Board of Directors within a month of Jake’s diagnosis to help the organization in any way I could.  We elevated our giving to Major Gifts and Planned Giving over the years. Having a child with T1D has made us more aware and generous in our charitable endeavors.  

Breakthrough T1D was there for us through everything we experienced and supported us every day. The organization has proved invaluable and a tremendous resource for us. This is the best family anyone could ever ask for that you wish you did not need! 

Kristi Rogerson attended Villanova University and Temple University School of Law where she
met her husband Greg Rogerson. They have been happily married for 28 years and have three
children: Riley (25), Casey (23) and Morgan (21). They live in New Hope, PA and have made
Bucks County their home since 1997. Their children went to elementary and middle school in
the Council Rock School District and high school at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville,
NJ.

On August 4th, 2010 at the age of six, Kristi’s youngest daughter Morgan was diagnosed with
T1D at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The diagnosis was shocking as there were no
other relatives at the time with Type 1 Diabetes on either side of the family. The diagnosis
came about two weeks before Morgan was set to start First Grade so as you can imagine it
took a village of dedicated teachers and school nurses to make it safe for her to manage
school. The Rogersons remain grateful for the many people that took such good care of
Morgan from day one of the diagnosis. Today Morgan is a vibrant and thriving junior at
Villanova University majoring in Environmental Science. She loves a good Soul Cycle class.
She is a member of both the Upper Makefield and Bryn Mawr Fire Departments and will intern
this summer with Dynamic Engineering. Her parents are incredibly proud that Morgan has
never let diabetes stand in her way of anything.

Looking for community and wanting to help raise awareness and funds for Type 1 Diabetes,
the Rogersons found Breakthrough T1D and registered for the One Walk in Bucks County in
October, 2011 as “Team M”. Realizing that fundraising for Fund a Cure was at the heart of
their mission, Kristi and Greg hosted a 1980’s Prom Party in May, 2016 and then a 1960’s
party in 2017. Through the generosity of friends and family, these events raised substantial
funds that went directly towards research. Kristi also took a seat on the JDRF Board for
Eastern PA where she sat for many years, until she shifted her time and focus to Advocacy.
Kristi has participated for several years in Government Day in Washington,DC and sees this as
the best use of her background and training in the fight for affordable insulin and other issues
near and dear to the T1D community.

Tonight is a very special night because Kristi has her family and friends gathered together to
celebrate not only those like Morgan who battle diabetes every day but also those fighting so
hard for a cure. The Rogerson Family thanks you for your love and support. Words cannot express their gratitude for your generosity.

Upon receiving her MBA (Cornell ’87), Nancy moved to Philadelphia to join her now-husband Jeremy—then a medical student. Just two weeks into his first semester, Jeremy recognized he had type 1 diabetes symptoms, and at 27 he and Nancy were inaugurated into life with a chronic condition. By 1998, their eldest child, Rachel, was diagnosed (at 5) two weeks before starting kindergarten, followed by their youngest, Noah (at 6) four years later. Following their diagnoses, Nancy transitioned from serving as a marketing executive at Merck Sharp and Dohme’s vaccine division to volunteer leadership roles. As a fulltime caretaker of two children under ten with a condition requiring 24/7 vigilance and care (and without the help of CGM’s!), Nancy found community and understanding in fellow T1D parents at JDF (now Breakthrough T1D).   

In her nearly three decades with the organization, Nancy has served on the JDRF Executive Board (four terms) and Walk to Cure Committee; chaired (2014) and co-chaired (2007) two Promise Ball Galas and  co-chaired nine Rockin’ Docs for Diabetes Cure events; captained a family Walk team (The Three Shooting Stars) for nearly twenty years; and participated in five destination century Ride to Cure’s. Nancy brought her family into Breakthrough T1D’s supportive fold too, championing their participation in Washington D.C. trips to lobby for stem cell research and represent our chapter at Children’s Congress.  

We’ve come a long way from the days when Nancy and Jeremy would take turns waking every few hours each night to check and correct blood sugars; or from Nancy and her mom practicing glucagon injections into oranges. We’re a long way from the days Nancy was armed only with handwritten blood sugar log sheets (pink for Rachel, green for Noah) at CHOP endocrinology appointments. And we’re an especially long way from the days of Nancy rolling NPH and R (old forms of insulin) and repeating their names out loud to ensure she did not mix them up when preparing syringes in the time before fast-acting insulins and insulin pumps. Today, the technology all three of Nancy’s immediate family members utilize (Tandem insulin pumps with Dexcom CGM’s) is available largely because of Breakthrough T1D’s tireless research and advocacy efforts. And, as Nancy knows from personal experience, this progress is only possible because of the generous support of passionate individuals who do all they can to turn type one into type none.  

Since their daughter, Sami, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) just after her fourth birthday, Lori, and her husband, Jay, have been fighting tirelessly for the cure. Over the past 30 years, Lori has been a dedicated volunteer within our community, taking on various leadership roles, including as South Jersey Chapter President, VP Government Relations, SJ Walk Chair, SJ Gala Chair,  and now serving as this year’s Greater Delaware Valley Gala Chair.

Her unwavering mission aligns perfectly with Breakthrough T1D’s: to find cures for T1D and improve the lives of those battling this disease! She is incredibly thankful for the tremendous improvements in care and treatment of T1D which she has seen directly resulting from the overwhelming generosity of our supporters!

Lori and Jay live in southern New Jersey, where, together with their son, Max, they run a small family business. Thanks to groundbreaking advancements in T1D management, Sami is doing great! She manages her T1D with resilience and optimism while holding out hope for the eventual cure!

Karen Rogers is the meteorologist for Action News Mornings and Action News at 10 A.M. Karen earned her seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society. She holds a certificate in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University following three years of studies in atmospheric sciences and geosciences.

Karen also holds degrees in Communication and Sociology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where she was valedictorian of her communication class and the class speaker for commencement. Karen is listed in “Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities”. After graduating with honors, Karen traveled to the United Kingdom as a Rotary International Scholar where she pursued her graduate studies in Broadcast Journalism. After graduation, Karen briefly worked at WHSP-TV in Vineland, NJ where she anchored daily news cut-ins, interviewed political leaders for her monthly show, Congressional Report, and hosted weekly talk shows.

Karen was born and raised in New Jersey along with her nine brothers and sisters. She says she grew up watching Action News and never imagined she would one day be a member of the Action News Team. She joined the station in 1996 as a reporter and producer for the show AM/Philadelphia. Karen quickly joined the AccuWeather team and found her true passion in weather forecasting.

Along with her role in news, Karen was a longtime host of FYI Philly, and is part of 6abc specials including The Auto Experience, the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Philadelphia Flower Show Special. In addition to her work at 6abc, Karen is active in supporting young people. She says one of her most rewarding experiences was working with the Child Assault Prevention Program teaching elementary school students empowerment skills for reporting and preventing abuse. Karen says she drives to work every morning feeling blessed to work.

Shelby Stokes has a rich history as a multi-generational auctioneer. His grandfather and father are both well-established auctioneers both with successful auction companies.  Shelby began his journey at a young age attending and volunteering with a variety of auctions. In the summer of 2002, he attended the Western College of Auctioneering to officially attain the title as Auctioneer.

With a personality that exudes positivity, Shelby is able to connect with guests and create a charitable environment that is filled with humor. For Shelby, each event is a brand new opportunity to bring people together to support their cause. He believes that it’s important to treat each event as if it is the first and only opportunity to raise funds and so he strives to put on the best show guests have seen at an auction.

Shelby doesn’t only share his mastery of the stage with organizations, he also shares his expertise with the future generations of auctioneers at Western College of Auctioneering.

When he is not celebrating with organizations or teaching the next generation of auctioneers, Shelby is celebrating life with his wife Kayla and their two daughters. He greatly enjoys being able to teach his girls about life and the world around them.