Fund A Cure with Hannah Johnson | Breakthrough T1D Kansas City Gala 2026

About Hannah

After over a year of strange symptoms, including constant thirst, fatigue, headaches, and rapid weight loss, I never expected my freshman year to start in the ER. A routine blood test the day before school revealed I had Type 1 diabetes, and I was pulled out before even making it to lunch.

Life with Type 1 diabetes means making many decisions every day, from managing insulin and checking blood sugar to planning meals and staying safe during school and activities. It is a lot to handle, but I have learned to adapt, stay positive, and rely on communities like Breakthrough T1D, where I have found friends who understand what it is like and make me feel less alone.

Even with diabetes, I keep pursuing the things I love. I am involved in FCA, marching band where I play clarinet and do color guard, Scholars Bowl, and I enjoy crafting and creative projects. I am shy at first, but once someone talks to me, I can be chatty, curious, and creative. Type 1 diabetes is part of my story, but it does not define me. It has taught me mental flexibility, courage, and the importance of connecting with others.

The 2026 Dream Gala is more than an event. It is hope for a future where kids like me do not have to worry about sudden blood sugar drops or access to insulin. Your support funds research, treatments, and brings us closer to a cure. Until that day comes, I will keep learning, creating, and living life to the fullest just like every other kid with Type 1 diabetes.