{"id":17147,"date":"2025-12-01T18:31:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T18:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/?p=17147"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:17:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:17:21","slug":"2025-a-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/2025\/12\/01\/2025-a-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2025: A Year In Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the final days of this remarkable year unfold, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary strides we\u2019ve made together. This year has been nothing short of inspiring, and it\u2019s all thanks to you\u2014our passionate and dedicated community. Your unwavering support and generosity have propelled us forward, turning bold ideas into groundbreaking progress for everyone impacted by type 1 diabetes<\/a> (T1D). With heartfelt gratitude, we celebrate the collective power of your passion, innovation, and commitment. Here\u2019s to the milestones we\u2019ve achieved and the hope you inspire every day. THANK YOU<\/strong>\u00a0for being the driving force behind our mission!<\/p>\n

Reaching the T1D community.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Offering newly diagnosed families and individuals care kits that include useful resources and educational materials to help with their T1D journey, the\u00a0Bag of Hope<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is for children under age 11; the\u00a0<\/strong>Teen Pack<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is for youth ages 12-17; and the\u00a0Adult Pack<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is for those age 18 and older. In 2025, the chapter delivered a total of\u00a0627 newly diagnosed care kits<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0to families and individuals in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.<\/p>\n

Throughout the year, Amanda Gilchrist, Carrie Khouri, and Kristin Neff, our Clinical Trial Education Volunteers, worked closely with clinical trial teams across Greater New England to stay informed about new trials. In addition, they collaborated with the Breakthrough T1D Community Screening and Clinical Trial Education team. They joined us at many events throughout the year to help raise awareness and support the T1D community.<\/p>\n

Our\u00a0Chats from Home<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0program\u2014informal virtual gatherings for individuals and families in Greater New England\u2014continued this year. These meetings are organized by age level for parents and caregivers to connect with others in a similar stage. There is also a group for adults living with T1D! While some participants are only a few weeks into their T1D journey, others have several decades of experience. We are grateful to all our participants who have joined us so far for their willingness to share their stories and offer support to their community. Thank you to our volunteers, Melissa Colton, Noah Gardner, Amanda Gilchrist, Darcie Pervier, and Cathy Walter, for hosting our monthly Chats.<\/p>\n

Thank you to Brian Colton and Amanda Gilchrist for organizing an informative session this spring for school health teams featuring Molly Colvin, Ph.D., ABPP, Developmental Neuropsychologist, Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, along with Emi Larsen White, RN, BSN, Director of Health Services at Belmont Hill School. Dr. Colvin and Emi discussed the cognitive, emotional, and social factors crucial in caring for children with T1D. We encourage you to share our webinar recordings with school nurses in your community and other members of the school health team, including principals, guidance counselors, coaches, psychologists, and social workers. Learn more at\u00a0breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/p\/virtual-education-series<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Events throughout the year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In March, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, we hosted our annual Community Summit Boston<\/strong> for more than 550 attendees from across Greater New England. Our Keynote session was presented by Madison Carter, Emmy-nominated broadcast journalist, living with T1D, and Princess Padmaja Kumari Parmar, daughter of the House of Mewar, Founder of Friends of Mewar, living with T1D. This conversational interview was an inspiring start to the day.<\/p>\n

Other educational sessions included, \u201cAging with T1D\u201d, \u201cBeyond the Blood Sugar: Fostering Mental and Emotional Well-being with Diabetes\u201d, \u201cCaring for Children and Teens with Type 1 Diabetes in School: Building Relationships to Promote Healthy Growth and Development\u201d, \u201cClinical Trials and Early Detection: Unlocking the Future of T1D\u201d, \u201cDiabetes: A Tech Talk\u201d, \u201cDiabetes Preparedness: Ready for Anything\u201d, \u201cEnchanting Nutrition: A Wizard’s Guide to Managing Diabetes \u201c, and \u201cTaking T1D Away from Home\u201d. Thank you to our speakers, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who joined us at the event!<\/p>\n