Fund A Cure with Sloane Haines | Breakthrough T1D Philadelphia Gala 2026

About

I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for 12 years, and in that time, I’ve experienced both the physical and emotional toll this disease can take. I’ll never forget the week I spent in the hospital at CHOP. I was 15 years old and had to learn how to care for myself while trying to process a diagnosis that would change my life. Before I was diagnosed, I was incredibly sick — I lost 40 pounds, my hair was falling out, my vision was fading — and yet, it was my childhood dog, Altyn, who helped keep me safe. She had been with my family since I was five and somehow sensed when my blood sugar was dangerously low. Every night, she would nudge me awake, and even after my diagnosis, she continued to wake me before I ever had a Dexcom. Altyn saved my life more times than I can count, and she taught me something powerful: I didn’t have to face this alone. That same lesson applies to the fight against type 1 diabetes. It takes a team of researchers, doctors, families, and supporters to move us closer to better treatments, better tools, and, one day, a cure.

The Breakthrough T1D Gala is more than just an evening of celebration. It’s a night where hope takes center stage, and our community comes together to drive meaningful change. I cannot wait to celebrate the accomplishments that have already been made and get excited for all that’s still to come. With your support, I hope that one day I can say, “I was a type 1 diabetic.”