Breakthrough T1D Southern California & Hawai’i May Newsletter

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Thank You San Diego!

On Saturday, April 26th, nearly 200 guests gathered for One Night of Groove and Giving, an elegant and vibrant 1970s-themed fundraising gala held at the Pendry San Diego. The theme was chosen as a way to honor the era when two moms sat down at a kitchen table to figure out how to cure their kids’ Type 1 Diabetes.  Over five decades later, and now with tech to keep us healthier and safer and with clinical trials showing potential cures that are working, we are Breakthrough T1D.

Guests arrived in creative interpretations of 1970s attire, adding a festive and nostalgic energy to the event. The venue was transformed into a sophisticated homage to the era, complete with period décor, immersive lighting, and a lively dance floor.

The evening featured an impactful program of entertainment and purpose, including:

  • A compelling Fund a Cure program, featuring Hannah and Austin Rovazzini, who shared their 3 year old daughter Saber’s T1D story and the challenges they have faced as a family with her recent diagnosis.
  • A curated silent auction offering luxury experiences and items.
  • A live auction and our Fund a Cure program featuring our San Diego Youth Ambassadors.
  • Musical entertainment was provided by Wild Child, a Doors tribute band, who performed iconic hits from the era. Our final live auction package was the opportunity to come on stage with the band and sing “Break On Through To the Other Side (of type 1 diabetes!)”, which was a very spirited way to end the night!

This event not only celebrated a unique and joyful era but also underscored the enduring commitment of our community to advancing T1D research. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the evening’s success and look forward to continuing this meaningful work together.

There’s still time to help us reach our goal! If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please donate to our Fund A Cure page here.

What an Unforgettable Night in Venice!

With your support, we raised almost $980,000 at the Breakthrough T1D One Night in Venice Gala—bringing us closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Your support can help keep our momentum going! Donate to our Fund A Cure page here to fund critical research. Every contribution fuels progress toward a cure.

Missed the event? Watch our inspiring video here and browse photos from the evening on our Facebook page here.

We’re grateful for your dedication and look forward to seeing you at next year’s gala!

Save the Date for the One Night Under the Stars Los Angeles Gala

Join us on Saturday, October 25th at the stunning Ahmanson Ballroom in the Skirball Cultural Center for One Night Under the Stars. Together, we’ll celebrate the courage and perseverance of the T1D community while raising crucial funds to support groundbreaking T1D research.

To purchase sponsorship, a table, tickets or to donate to Fund A Cure,  please visit our website. Thank you for your support!

For more information, email Tarah Kennedy.

Thank You to Our Southern California Communities!

Meet Up with Rufus, Murrieta

Thank you to the families, volunteers and Rady’s for making the Meet Up with Rufus an amazing morning in Murrieta!

 

Orange County

Big thank you to everyone who joined us at our Summit in Orange County! Thank you to our National Industry partners for making the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit possible at our chapter! Thank you to all of our speakers, including Keynote- Charlie Kimball, and thank you Camp Conrad for making sure our T1D kiddos had the best time!

Santa Barbara

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Breakthrough T1D Community Summit in Santa Barbara, held in partnership with the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute! We’re deeply grateful to our National Industry Partners for their support in making this event possible. A special thanks to all our incredible speakers, including our inspiring Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kristin Castorino, whose valuable insights left a lasting impact on all of us.

Breakthrough T1D Walk

The Breakthrough T1D Walk brings together thousands to support a brighter future for those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It’s a chance for individuals, families, businesses, and communities to make a real impact. Join us at one of our Southern California Walks—choose your location and register today!
  • Temecula Valley Community Walk, Saturday, May 31st at the Maurice Car’rie Winery
  • San Diego Walk, Nov. 2nd, at NTC Park at Liberty Station
    • Registration information coming soon. For any questions, contact Deanna Kasper.
  • Orange County Walk, Nov. 16th, at Angel Stadium
    • Registration information coming soon. For any questions, contact Lauren Christ.

Encourage your friends and family to join your team for this fun, impactful event. Together, we are a force for change. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support. We can’t wait to walk with you!

The Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Fore the Kids Golf Classic is celebrating its 34th  year hosting the golf classic in Orange County. For the first time ever, the tournament will take place at Monarch Beach Golf Links on Monday, June 16. Monarch Beach Golf Links is an intriguing Orange County, CA, layout—one of only a handful of oceanfront golf courses throughout California. The event will include a day of golf at one of Orange County’s finest oceanfront golf courses, followed by a post golf celebration of cocktails, food and fellowship. The evening celebration will also include a short presentation, a live auction, and our annual fund-a-cure supported by our Youth Ambassadors.

We are grateful for the support of our current On-Course sponsors who will be providing delicious drinks and bites throughout the day:

On Course Food & Beverages provided by Descanso, Handel’s Ice Cream, LA Chargers, LAVA Craft Cocktail Co, Newport Rib Company, Stafford Prime, Taber Food Truck, and more!

To register to golf with us, please visit our website. For sponsorship information or to be part of the Golf Planning committee chaired by Torrey DiRoberto (T1D Dad) and Jenny Rodriquez (T1D Mom), please reach out to Lauren Christ.

Announcing registration and sponsorship opportunities are now open for our inaugural San Diego Golf Tournament! The event will take place on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club in Solana Beach.

We’ve partnered with one of San Diego’s premier private courses to create an unforgettable day of golf. The event will culminate in a cocktail reception with delicious food, networking opportunities, and a chance to connect with the community. By participating, you will be directly supporting life-changing research for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Your involvement—whether as a sponsor, donor, or participant—will help drive critical progress toward finding cures for T1D, all while enjoying a top-tier charity golf experience.

We invite you to contribute by becoming a sponsor, donating silent auction items, providing tournament supplies, or simply registering to play. Your generosity will make a lasting impact.

A Special Thanks:
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Tournament Chairs, Adrienne Cipparone, Brenda Daly, and Matt Tranchina, as well as all the members of the Golf Committee, whose vision, passion, and commitment have made this event possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their leadership.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jen Haber at JHaber@BT1D.org.

 

The 2025 Ride Season is Here!

The Breakthrough T1D Ride is a premier cycling event that brings together riders of all skill levels to fund groundbreaking research for type 1 diabetes. With multiple destination rides across the country, participants pedal for a cure while experiencing scenic routes, expert coaching, and an incredible sense of community.

The confirmed locations and dates are:

  • La Cross, WI—August 7-8
  • Santa Fe, NM—August 21-24
  • Cape Cod, MA—September 11-14
  • Coeur d’Alene, ID—September 25-28
  • Amelia Island, FL—December 4-7

Register for a ride near you here. For any questions or more information, please reach out to Judy Parra.

The Breakthrough T1D Community Summit is an educational and networking opportunity for all those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). It will bring our community together to learn from T1D experts, hear about the latest breakthroughs in T1D research, meet vendor exhibitors, connect with others impacted by T1D, and more. We look forward to having you join us! Registration is required.
  •  San Diego
    • May 17th, 8 a.m. at UCSD Altman Clinical & Translational Research Institute
    • Summit Speakers:
      • Jeremy Pettus, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, UC San Diego
      • Inspirational speaker and singer/songwriter Ava August will be joined by moderator Danica McAdam from KUSI/FOX 5
      • Mark Heyman, PhD, CDCES, diabetes psychologist and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. He is the CEO of the Center for Diabetes & Mental Health (CDMH) in San Diego
      • Matt Vande Vegte, NFPT Certified Master Fitness Trainer and owner of FTF Warriors
    • Register here.
    • For more information email Deanna Kasper.
  • Los Angeles

Upcoming Chapter Events

In Person Events

  • Parent / Caregiver Coffee Meet Up in LA – Monday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. at Kind Grounds. Register here.
  • T1D Adult Afternoon Social, SD—Saturday, May 17, 1:00 p.m. at SweetGreen in the UTC Mall. Register here.
  • T1D Family Meetup & Park Day, Bakersfield – Sunday, June 22, 10 a.m. at Greystone Park. Register here.

Virtual Events

Written by: Breakthrough T1D Author