Breakthrough T1D Illinois Gala 2026

Staci Wood is the President and Founder of The Well Advertising, a privately held, Chicago-based marketing agency founded in 2004. The Well combines smart media strategy with award-winning creative to help brands connect with their audiences and drive meaningful business results. The agency’s capabilities include marketing strategy, creative development, media planning and buying, digital development, and social media.

A graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Staci began her career at Leo Burnett, where she worked on campaigns for leading brands including General Motors, United Airlines, Sony, and McDonald’s. Today, The Well’s client roster includes World Wide Technology, Rubrik, Okta, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, The Great Escape, Studio41, Insight Global, and other national and global brands.

Staci has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 40 years, and her son Cooper also lives with T1D. Their shared experience has made the mission of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) deeply personal to her. Staci serves as President of the Breakthrough T1D Illinois Board of Directors, where she is passionate about accelerating research, engaging more adults living with T1D, and expanding the organization’s reach.

Staci lives in Munster, Indiana, with her husband, two sons, one dog, one cat, and three turtles. She instinctively roots for the Cubs and the Illini, or any good underdog.

Ria was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just five years old, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At an age when life should have been all about kindergarten, playgrounds, and being a kid, she suddenly had to learn a new language of blood sugars, insulin, sensors, and pumps.

Today, six years later, Ria is an energetic, compassionate 11-year-old who refuses to let type 1 diabetes define what she can do. Whether she is swimming, traveling, spending time with friends, or trying something new, her Dexcom and Omnipod are simply along for the ride.

One of the things that has always meant the most to Ria is meeting other people living with T1D. From the time she was little, spotting another Dexcom or insulin pump made her light up – an instant reminder that she was not alone. That sense of connection has grown into a desire to help other children feel the same way

As a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador, Ria uses her voice and her story to raise awareness, encourage other families, and help move us closer to a world without type 1 diabetes.

Our hope is that one day children like Ria will be able to look back on insulin pumps, glucose alarms, carb counting, and middle-of-the-night blood sugar checks as things of the past. Until then, Ria will keep living fully, speaking up, and helping fight for a cure.

Olivia was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) a few days before she turned 4. Honestly, she does not remember much about that experience except that the hospital was a welcoming place that had her name on a monitor in the room and that she did some fun things like meeting the hospital service dog and playing games. She is now a freshman in high school thriving academically and in extra-curricular activities.

As a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador, she has been able to expand her work and impact beyond our family and community. Events such as the Walk at Montrose Harbor, Community Summit, and the Gala have been a part of who she is. Our family started participating in 2017 when Olivia was 5 years old. Being a part of the T1D community is a source of strength and pride for Olivia. It is where she feels connected, validated, and happy. Our family has always prioritized making sure that she is able to access anything that non-T1D kids are able to access. She is a competitive synchronized skater and hockey player. In the summer, she participates in a sailing camp and has attended non-T1D camps. These experiences have empowered her and given her the strength to know that being diabetic does not limit or define her and her future goals.

In addition, every year during diabetes camp, she can share her experience with recently diagnosed kids and share some cheer. She loves to bring diabetes accessories to give out to my cabin mates because she believes that we can all use some positivity and fun as we navigate diabetes. She has an amazing group of “diabesties” – a core group of us girls who spend a week of the summer together and over time have formed a tremendous bond. She hopes to one day be able to be a diabetes camp counselor and help younger kids have a good time, find their tribe, make memories, and get emotional support from the experience.

The Breakthrough T1D mission of improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating breakthroughs to cure, prevention, and type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment and complications aligns directly with Olivia’s values and mission. Life with diabetes is not always easy but she chooses to focus on the positive. She is focused on helping others find strength and happiness while working on a cure.