{"id":8364,"date":"2024-03-04T21:03:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T21:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/northcarolina\/?p=8364"},"modified":"2025-10-21T00:20:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:20:24","slug":"piedmont-triad-hope-glows-gala-sets-recordand-the-fundraising-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/charlottewesternnc\/2024\/03\/04\/piedmont-triad-hope-glows-gala-sets-recordand-the-fundraising-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Piedmont Triad Hope Glows Gala Sets Record\u2026and the Fundraising Continues!"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 17, 2024, was not only the date of the Piedmont Triad Hope Glows<\/em> Gala<\/strong>, but also marked Gala Honoree Brittany Carroll\u2019s 7,664th day living with T1D<\/strong>\u2014only six days shy of her 21st<\/sup> \u00a0\u201cdiaversary\u201d (the anniversary of her T1D diagnosis).<\/p>\n

That\u2019s 7,664 days <\/strong>(and counting) of highs and lows\u2026of finger pricks and CGMs\u2026of insulin and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Brittany and her mom, Gala Honoree Vanessa Carroll<\/strong>, and their entire family have been on their T1D journey since Brittany was only 12. They\u2019ve made it their mission to turn Type One into Type None every day since Brittany was diagnosed.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Vanessa and Brittany, the Piedmont Triad\u2019s first mother\/daughter Honorees, and all<\/em> our 2024 Hope Gala participants\u2014attendees, remote bidders, sponsors, donors, and volunteers<\/strong>\u2014the Gala has raised over $1.82 million<\/strong>, and we\u2019re well on our way to $1.9 million and beyond!<\/p>\n

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Hope Glows Gala Honorees Vanessa and Brittany Carroll \u00a0(with Rider), surrounded by their family and Gala Chairs Jenni and Ryan Newkirk, credit Lynn Donovan<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n

No one\u2014with the exception of Vanessa and Brittany<\/u>\u2014saw this coming<\/strong>. From the moment they accepted this role, they set their sights on breaking fundraising records, with the goal of funding as much research as possible to advance cures for type 1.<\/p>\n

Vanessa and Brittany had another, personal goal: Ten years ago, Roy Carroll (Vanessa\u2019s husband and Brittany\u2019s father) was honored at the Breakthrough T1D Gala. That year, the Gala raised $1.2 million for T1D research. Vanessa and Brittany were determined to best Roy\u2019s total\u2026and they did.<\/p>\n

More than 100 volunteers worked for three months before the Gala to create a spectacular 80\u201d x 45\u201d chandelier<\/strong> that flew above the heads of Gala guests during dinner, transforming the ballroom into an inspiring, \u201cglowing\u201d space. Every year, Gala Event Experience Chairs Wendy Calloway and Alejandra and Cliff Thompson design a unique, breathtaking chandelier, and work with volunteers to bring their vision to life. This signature element of the Hope Gala sets it apart from any other fundraiser in the Piedmont Triad.<\/p>\n

Nearly 800 people attended the Hope Glows Gala at Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, with many others watching the livestream and participating remotely. Guests enjoyed the Silent Auction preview and a reception with music by Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson; marched in a parade into dinner led by Cunningham Heavenly Sounds, the shout band from United House of Prayer for All People, and Paper Hand Puppets; gasped at the enormous chandelier in ballroom; delighted in performances by Greensboro Performing Arts; bid furiously on Live Auction items; purchased a huge number of entries in the Windsor Jewelers Sweepstakes; danced at the After-Party to Sleeping Booty; and made Fund A Cure gifts ranging from $50 to over $200,000.<\/p>\n

During the Gala, guests:<\/p>\n