Illinois Chapter

Events
Find community and raise money for T1D research. Breakthrough T1D events are unforgettable experiences.
Breakthrough T1D Illinois | Dink for Diabetes 2025
Danny Cunniff Park, Highland Park, IL

We all have a story of how T1D has changed our lives. As a Breakthrough T1D advocate, I use my voice to tell lawmakers our story of living with T1D and why research must continue.
Get Involved
Whether you donate your time or dollars, life-changing breakthroughs in T1D treatments and therapies couldn’t happen without you.
Get Support
Find community and raise money for T1D research. Breakthrough T1D events are unforgettable experiences.
News
Follow us for updates

Featured
A story about T1D from the Wolfe family.
Five years ago, our lives forever changed. Our son Sam, then an 8-year-old boy, was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We recall seeing our child on the hospital bed and having a…
2025 Peer to Peer Fundraising Celebration
On April 12th, 2025, the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare wasn’t just filled with family and friends from Breakthrough T1D. It was filled with purpose, power, and celebration. Nearly 80 of our most dedicated fundraisers, families, friends, and changemakers…
Giving Tuesday: Featuring our 2024 Fund A Cure Family
Today is Giving Tuesday and we are grateful for all the progress being made. Our 2024 Fund A Cure Family, Julie Newman and Jamie Burgdorfer want to share their story: It was December of 1977, a time forever etched in…
Breakthrough T1D Illinois will host TWO Community Summits in 2025!
Join Breakthrough T1D Illinois for an in-person, educational summit, that brings the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community together. Learn about research advancements, participate in discussions with experts, and meet others living with diabetes. Educational sessions will be focused on T1D…
Recognizing World Diabetes Day in Memoriam.
During National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM), we would be remiss not to honor the lives of the individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who we have lost. Whether these incredible people lost their battle due to T1D complications, or their…
Breakthrough T1D One Dream Gala Raises More Than $16 Million for a T1D Cure
CHICAGO, Dec. 12, 2022 – The Breakthrough T1D Illinois One Dream Gala–one of Chicago’s top annual philanthropic events–surpassed last year’s record-breaking evening of fundraising. Saturday night, Breakthrough T1D Illinois raised more than $16 Million that will fund life-changing breakthroughs to…
Leadership
Whether you donate your time or dollars, life-changing breakthroughs in T1D treatments and therapies couldn’t happen without you.
Laura Dunne
Board President
Michael Alter
At Large Member
Debbie Gordon
At Large Member
Kayne Grau
Development Chair
Joseph P. Lacher
At Large Member
Melissa Laskey
Community Engagement Chair
Mark Schauerte
Advocacy Chair
Jonathan Vree
Peer to Peer Chair
Thank You to Our Partners
Our corporate partners take raising funds and awareness for T1D research to new heights.

Abbott

Aldridge Electric, Inc.

Envestnet

Ford Motor Company

Kemper

Land O’ Frost

Transcarent

Veradigm
Contact Us
35 E Wacker Dr.
Ste 2200
Chicago, Illinois, 60601
312-670-0313
312-670-0250
Mail and Donations Address
PO Box 5018
Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5018