Fund A Cure with The Tichar Family | Breakthrough T1D Spring Social 2025

About

When our son Teddy was born, my husband and I knew he was special. His giggles filled our home, and his joy was contagious. In baby music class, he could clap to a rhythm, and by nine months old, he proudly signed his first word using baby sign language. Then at 18 months, Teddy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Suddenly, he wasn’t just special to us; he was exceptional in a way no parent hopes for. The average age of diagnosis is 14, but Teddy was so much younger. To add to the whirlwind, I was five months pregnant.

When our daughter, Liza, was born, we knew she was just as special as her big brother. Her laughter and determination brightened every room. Yet, like Teddy, she soon showed us how exceptional she was. Shortly after turning two, Liza was also diagnosed with T1D.

With each diagnosis came a new layer of complexity. For those living with T1D, every day brings an extra 180 decisions about food, activity, and insulin—double that for our family. It means constant calculation, sleepless nights, and treating our kids like Olympic athletes, training at the highest level just to get through an ordinary school day.

The weight of these decisions is overwhelming, but thankfully, we are not alone; Breakthrough T1D has been a beacon of support. From parent coffee talks to family meetups, we’ve found comfort and camaraderie in a community that truly understands. And knowing that Breakthrough T1D is working to close the gap between the availability of new therapies and their adoption gives us hope — not just for our family, but for others navigating the same path.

Life-changing therapies and education cannot happen without support from the community. My family and I are proud to partner with Breakthrough T1D, and we would be honored if you’d join us in supporting this year’s Spring Social.

With your support, we look forward to a future where T1D is no longer what makes Teddy and Liza exceptional—they’ll simply be special, as all children should be.