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John W. Treece, Partner at Sidley Austin LLP, was elected Illinois Chapter Board President of Breakthrough T1D on June 20 during the chapter’s Annual Meeting at Grant Thornton. The organization also thanked supporters for their roles in raising over $12 million dollars on behalf of the millions who suffer from type 1 diabetes (T1D).

“It takes all of us working together to find new ways to fund much needed research,” said Mimi K. Crabtree, Executive Director of Breakthrough T1D Illinois. “We have come so far over the past year thanks to the many committed people who have made this campaign a success. There is still a lot of work to be done, but with our volunteers and a dedicated board that will be led by John Treece, we will continue to make strides towards a future without T1D.”

Treece has been involved with Breakthrough T1D for over 20 years. He served in numerous leadership roles including Co-Chair of the Breakthrough T1D Illinois One Dream Gala, Gala Fundraising Committee Member, and two terms on the Board of Directors. He takes over for Joseph Lacher, President and CEO of Kemper Corporation, who served as President from 2014-2016.

”You know, when they asked me if I’d like to serve as President Elect for a year, I asked what it would entail. Normally following around the President for a year isn’t very exciting – unless that President is Joe Lacher who has had so much to teach,” Treece said of his predecessor.

“We have unbelievable opportunities which at this point all come with pretty high price tags; once you move into human clinical trials, you are into very expensive territory,” Treece said. “My daughter was diagnosed 30 years ago, so I’ve been in this world for 30 years, and I will say that we’ve probably seen more visible progress in the last three years than the 27 years before.”

Breakthrough T1D Illinois also welcomed Jim Barone (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois), Kathleen Candela (Deloitte & Touche LLP), Mathew Carletti (JMP Group), Stephen Dragich (Schiff Hardin LLP), and Krista Gallagher to its Board of Directors.

Chapter volunteers were recognized at the Annual Meeting for their exemplary service to Breakthrough T1D Illinois throughout fiscal year 2016 and presented with the following Awards:

Legacy Award – John and Marilyn McDonough
Taking Us To The Top – Michael and Sarah Alter
Open Hands – Steve Lefar
Third Party Event Award (Top volunteer-planned event) – Rick and Allison Williams for the AJW Golf Classic
Youth Ambassador – Cooper Woolford for Run BeCAUSE
Trailblazer Award – Josh Dunnington and the Corporate Engagement Committee
Generosity of Spirit – Joanne Hasmoek
Outreach – Anne Pillion and Andrew Johnston
Corporate Community Excellence – Buona Companies

Additional highlights of the Annual Meeting included a presentation by Breakthrough T1D International Board Director, Doug Lowenstein, who detailed the many research advancements made to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.

“Today, we set the agenda for T1D research,” Lowenstein said. “Today, Breakthrough T1D is funding more than 50 clinical trials which is 12 times more than just a decade ago.”