Fund A Cure with Erskine Bowles | Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Gala 2026

About

Breakthrough T1D is proud to honor Erskine Bowles at our 25 Anniversary Gala for his leadership, vision, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those impacted by type 1 diabetes- including his two sons, Sam and Bill. Erskine will receive the Charlotte Chapter’s highest honor, the Living and Giving Award, at the annual gala on April 18, 2026, at The Revelry at Camp North End. Raising over $26 million since its inception in 2001, the Breakthrough T1D Gala is one of Charlotte’s most sought-after and historically successful fundraising events. Your support will fund critical research to better treat, prevent and ultimately cure T1D!

Honoring Erskine Bowles
Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Progress

During his time as White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton, Erskine was instrumental in establishing the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in 1997. The SDP is a critical source of funding for T1D research at the National Institutes of Health. Continuously funded since 1997, the SDP is responsible for more than $3.5 billion in T1D research and many drugs, devices and therapies that the T1D community is benefitting from today!

Erskine inspired President Clinton’s decision to lift the ban on stem-cell research in 1993. This historic decision opened the door to islet cell transplantation research and laid the foundation for the stem-cell derived therapies currently in development.

Erskine has served in countless leadership roles for Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) including the Board of Chancellors and International President of JDRF. As a father of two sons living with T1D, he has witnessed the daily realities of T1D and has stood alongside families impacted by the disease with unwavering support.

Together we will honor Erskine’s legacy of service while raising critical
funds to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs and move us closer to cures for T1D. Will you join us?