Community Summit Boston 2025

Breakthrough T1D Community Summit Boston

We are looking forward to an inspirational and informative event, offering networking opportunities, educational sessions, and a vendor fair. Dress is casual and we encourage attendees to wear their Breakthrough T1D gear, including Walk t-shirts, Ride jerseys, and Run shirts!

More information on the agenda, speaker bios, and educational sessions. Below please find more details for the day.

ATTENDEE CHECK-IN

• Check-In opens at 8:30 a.m. All attendees are required to check in on the fourth floor.
• To expedite the Check-In process, please have one member of your party check in on behalf of your group.
• After checking in, please pick up your name tag. If this is your first time attending the summit, we encourage you to take a First-Time Attendee ribbon for your name tag.
• A self-service coat check will be available in the Falmouth Room on the fourth floor. Please note that this room will not be locked, so we ask that you not leave valuables in the room. Breakthrough T1D and the Marriott are not responsible for lost or damaged items.
• Children and teens not enrolled in the Youth and Teen Program must be accompanied by an adult at the event; and parent(s)/caregiver(s) are responsible for their child’s diabetes management during the event. The Youth and Teen Program will be offered at the same time as the keynote and educational sessions during the summit.  

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH  

• A light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided and will include gluten-friendly and vegetarian options. Please note that the hotel will display estimated carb counts for breakfast and lunch.   

We look forward to seeing you at the event on Saturday! Should you have any questions or need more information about the day, please email the Breakthrough T1D Greater New England Chapter at greaternewengland@BreakthroughT1D.org or call Phyllis Kaplan at 617-631-3802.

Join us for a free one-day, in-person, educational summit event, bringing together all within the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. Learn about research advances, participate in discussions with experts, and meet others living with or caring for someone with T1D. Educational sessions will be focused on T1D care and management and will be geared for different audiences. The summit will also include a vendor fair featuring industry and community partners, as well as Youth and Teen Programming. Pre-registration is required for the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit Boston by Wednesday, March 5 at noon EDT. We cannot accept walk-in registrations the day of the event.

We are excited to host Youth and Teen Programming this year! 

Our Youth and Teen program is open for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This program will host children living with T1D and their siblings. Volunteers will lead activities and support your child(ren) as needed. Children can expect various activities, crafts, games, and much more!

From 10 – 11 a.m. join basketball coaches Jake and Stan Brudish from Camp Bru for skills, drills and fun! Camp Bru co-founder, Jake Brudish, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1995 when he was fifteen months old. Jake went on to play NCAA D1 basketball at Southern Methodist University and coached at the collegiate level for over six years. Jake now coaches high school basketball at his alma mater and co-runs a basketball summer camp, Camp Bru, for youth with T1D in New Hampshire. 

 Breakthrough T1D staff and volunteers, including licensed healthcare providers, are not permitted to treat high or low blood sugar. Parents / Caregivers will be contacted if their child needs help with their T1D management during the program. 

Educational Sessions

Attendees will have the choice of attending two of the following educational sessions.

• Aging with T1D | This engaging panel discussion is designed for adults living with T1D. Featuring panelists from various life stages, the conversation will address unique challenges, such as navigating complications, adjusting care routines and adopting proactive health strategies. Attendees will have the chance to interact with panelists and each other, creating a supportive environment for sharing experiences and learning. This session offers a valuable opportunity to connect with others and gain insight into living well with T1D. Intended Audience: Adults (18+) Living with T1D
• Beyond the Blood Sugar: Fostering Mental and Emotional Well-being with Diabetes | This session addresses the emotional impact T1D has on individuals and their support networks. We will explore how T1D can affect self-esteem, emotional well-being and stress for both those living with T1D and their caregivers. For adults with T1D, we’ll discuss coping strategies and self-care. For parents and caregivers, we’ll focus on managing the emotional toll of providing care while maintaining your own well-being. We will also cover strategies for fostering open communication and creating supportive environments for everyone affected by T1D. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) Living with T1D
• Caring for Children and Teens with Type 1 Diabetes in School: Building Relationships to Promote Healthy Growth and Development | Dr. Molly Colvin and Nurse Emi Larsen White first met in September 2016 when “Nurse Emi” became the school nurse for Molly’s then seven-year-old daughter, Kate, who has lived with T1D since age five. In this session, Molly and Emi will share their professional expertise—as a developmental neuropsychologist and a pediatric nurse, respectively—to discuss cognitive, emotional and social factors important in the care of T1D kids. They will also infuse some of their personal experiences—to discuss how to build good relationships between the child, parents/guardians and school nurse to promote healthy growth and development for children living with T1D. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / School Nurses
• Clinical Trials and Early Detection: Unlocking the Future of T1D | Join this session to learn about Breakthrough T1D’s mission to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. This session focuses on clinical trials and T1D risk screening and the impact both programs have on prevention and cure research. Amanda has participated in many clinical trials as both she and her daughter, Emmie, live with T1D. Amanda’s vast clinical trial experience includes device, medication, behavioral, observational and prevention trials. Amanda’s five-year-old son, Callen has been participating in T1D screening since age two. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) and Teens Living with T1D
• Diabetes: A Tech Talk | In this session, we’ll explore how cutting-edge diabetes technologies are reshaping the landscape of T1D management. From advanced continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps to artificial pancreas systems and AI-driven tools, the integration of technology is revolutionizing how we manage T1D on a daily basis. This talk will highlight the latest innovations and how they empower individuals with T1D to gain better control over their blood glucose levels, reduce the burden of constant monitoring and enhance quality of life. We’ll also discuss the challenges and opportunities in scaling these technologies, including accessibility, cost and data security. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) and Teens Living with T1D
• Diabetes Preparedness: Ready for Anything | This session is designed for parents, caregivers and individuals living with T1D who want to feel confident and prepared in any situation. Covering school routines, vacations, workdays and unexpected events, we’ll explore how to manage diabetes care with a proactive approach. Topics include building a diabetes “go bag,” maintaining communication with schools and workplaces, ensuring sufficient supplies and handling situations where resources may run low. This session will provide practical tools and strategies to empower you, whether you’re preparing for everyday needs or the unexpected. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) and Teens Living with T1D 
• Enchanting Nutrition: A Wizard’s Guide to Managing Diabetes | Join us for a day at wizarding school! During this session you will actively participate in classes including herbology, defense against the dark arts and transfiguration. Each lesson will center on a nutrition concept needed to live a healthy life with T1D. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) and Teens Living with T1D
• Taking T1D Away from Home | Join this interactive panel discussion that explores the ins and outs of handling T1D away from home, whether at school, playing sports, traveling, in college or living independently. Moderated by a dad of a teen with T1D, the panel features a high school athlete, a recent college graduate, and a staff member from an overnight diabetes camp. They’ll share personal stories, practical tips and real-life advice for balancing diabetes with independence and new experiences. Audience questions are encouraged, making this a great opportunity to learn from both the panelists and fellow attendees. Perfect for teens, young adults and parents, this session is all about making T1D work wherever life takes you. Intended Audience: Parents and Caregivers / Adults (18+) and Teens Living with T1D 

For more information on frequently asked questions please view or download this helpful document: Breakthrough T1D Community Summit Boston 2025 FAQs.

Boston Marriott Copley Place

A group rate of $239/night (plus taxes) is available for traditional overnight rooms. Reservations must be made by Friday, February 14, 2025. Please contact Phyllis Kaplan directly at 617-631-3802 or pkaplan@BreakthroughT1D.org for more information on lodging options at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

The Boston Marriott Copley Place (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/bosco-boston-marriott-copley-place) is located at 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. Parking is available at the Copley Place Garage (https://www.lazparking.com/local/boston-ma/copley-place-plaza), adjacent to the hotel.  Valet may also be available.  

Additional parking options include: Prudential Center Garage (https://www.parkprudentialcenter.com),  Hynes Auditorium Garage (https://www.pilgrimparking.com/boston-parking-garages/hynes-auditorium-garage.htm), 126 Dartmouth Street Garage (https://www.lazparking.com/local/boston-ma/126-dartmouth-street),  and the Garage at 100 Clarendon (https://www.100clarendon.com).      

The hotel is also accessible via public transportation (www.mbta.com).

Schedule