Community Summit Boston 2026

Youth and Teen Program

Our Youth and Teen Program is open to children with T1D in kindergarten through 12th grade and their siblings. Children can expect various volunteer-led activities, crafts, games, and much more!

The Youth and Teen Program will run concurrently with the keynote and educational sessions. Please drop off your child(ren) by 9:15 a.m. in the Gloucester conference room on the third floor. The Youth and Teen Program will be closed for lunch from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. and will reopen at 1:30 p.m.

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

All attendees will have the opportunity to attend the keynote session and choose two of the following educational sessions. All educational sessions repeat in the morning and afternoon for this purpose.

Keynote Address: Dreams, Plans, Actions, and Results: How Breakthrough T1D has – and Will Continue to – Improve Lives | Since Moira McCarthy Stanford and her family joined forces with Breakthrough T1D, the daily care, methods of treatment, and long-term projected life outcomes have improved in nearly every way. How that has happened and how it will continue to, is a story of partnership, courage, a willingness to sometimes fail, but most of all: a forward-thinking and acting program that, Moira says, “even a regular mom like her can make a difference in”. Through her family’s story, hear how Breakthrough T1D works – and works well for us all. 

Sessions:

• Join the Culture of ‘Yes.’ How to Embrace Life Despite Diabetes | When Moira’s daughter Lauren Stanford was diagnosed with T1D at six years old, Moira feared that all their dreams would be altered. However, adopting a simple motto – “whatever you’d say yes to without diabetes on board, say yes to now” – helped them find their way to a full, fun, and happy life despite diabetes. None of this is easy, but in this talk, Moira will outline the hows and whys of helping you, your child, and all your loved ones, embrace and live the life you dream of despite diabetes. 
• The Long and Winding Road: Meeting the Challenges of Living with T1D | We are all aware that T1D is a chronic illness that often starts in childhood/adolescence and can be lived with for many years. Living with T1D may be best understood from a developmental perspective since it is a lifelong condition that affects people differently at each life stage (childhood, young adulthood, mid-adulthood, and older adulthood). In this session, Marilyn will discuss the challenges usually faced at each stage with a special focus on the challenges for the older adult. She will also focus on ways of addressing these challenges so that life with T1D may be less stress-filled and more fulfilling.
• Raising a Child with Type 1 Diabetes: Growing Up Healthy, Confident, and Connected | A diagnosis of T1D changes daily life, but it does not have to define a child’s future. This parent-focused panel brings together caregivers of children at different developmental stages, along with a clinical neuropsychologist who is also a parent, to explore how families can support healthy development while managing a chronic medical condition. Topics include navigating school supports, fostering independence in diabetes care, building a positive identity and peer relationships, and managing stress, worry, and big feelings within the whole family—including siblings. Grounded in both lived experience and developmental science, this conversation emphasizes practical strategies, reassurance, and hope. 
• Screening for T1D: A Family Decision (A.M. Only) | Join this session for a thoughtful conversation about the considerations and questions families may have about T1D screening. This session will review current screening guidelines and, explore factors families consider when making screening decisions. They will also discuss next steps after receiving positive screening results, including monitoring, care options, and available clinical trials. Ellen O’Donnell, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children Pediatric Diabetes Center, and Amanda Gilchrist, is a Clinical Trial Education Volunteer (CTEV) for Breakthrough T1D Greater New England, both. Both Ellen and Amanda both live with T1D and have gone through the screening process with their own children. They will share their professional insights and personal experiences with a focus on the psychosocial aspects of T1D screening for families.
• Screening for T1D: Q&A Session (P.M. Only) | Join this interactive Q&A session to further explore questions and concerns families may have about T1D screening. Ellen and Amanda will be available to share their knowledge, professional perspectives, and personal experiences with the screening process. This session is designed to create space for open conversation, reflection, and support as families navigate screening decisions together. 
• Transitioning to Adulthood with T1D: Resources & Tips for Success | Growing up with T1D is tough–and we get it! Carrie Matuzsan, a case manager at Blue Circle Health, who lives with T1D, has personal and professional experience navigating the transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care, higher education, and the work world. Join Carrie to discuss practical strategies for managing T1D during major life changes. The session will cover navigating healthcare system shifts, from finding new adult endocrinologists to understanding different insurance plans and advocating for your needs in college or the workplace. Carrie will also share insights on managing the emotional and logistical challenges unique to this life stage, providing actionable tips and highlighting valuable resources that support a successful transition to independence.