Breakthrough T1D Cleveland Promise Ball 2025

Tiffani Tucker is a 16-time Emmy-nominated journalist who is fascinated by the people she meets and telling their stories. She is the main anchor at 19 News. The mother and wife was a competitive ice skater for more than 15 years. She and her skating partner made history as the first African-American ice dancing team. Tiffani is also active in the community. She is proud to be a board and marketing committee member for the Achievement Centers for Children. She is also a board member of the Kidney Foundation of Ohio. She is involved in supporting the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen.

Carrie is a full-time professional benefit auctioneer with Hessney Auction Co. in the Finger Lakes region of New York, specializing in fundraising auctions throughout NYS and beyond. She is the 2023 NYS Auctioneer of the Year and the 2024 International Auctioneer champion 1st runner up. Her commitment to fostering positive change within her community strengthens her belief in the power of auctioning to make a difference!

In May of 2020, our world changed forever when our son Lucas was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at just 10 years old.  We were forced to navigate this new, unpredictable reality during the pandemic. It was incredibly overwhelming. Our family faced not only the fear and challenges of a T1D diagnosis but the isolation and restrictions of a global health crisis. Yet, in the midst of it all, Lucas found a spark of purpose—he wanted to do more than just manage the disease; he wanted to make a difference for kids like him.

What started as a simple lemonade stand to raise awareness grew into something much larger. Lucas’s passion for educating others about T1D turned his stand into a movement, raising thousands of dollars for Breakthrough T1D and inspiring others to get involved. Through hard work and determination, he also started a cookie business with all proceeds going to support research for a cure. At just 15, Lucas is now an ambassador for Breakthrough T1D, a young entrepreneur, and a dedicated advocate for the T1D community.

Jackie’s Story

As a proud Mom on a Mission and supporter of Breakthrough T1D, I am dedicated to funding critical research to cure type one diabetes (T1D). My connection to this cause is deeply personal—my son, Brice, was diagnosed in 2016. While managing T1D has been challenging, advancements in research and technology have allowed him to thrive. Now a senior at Boston University, Brice’s journey fuels my commitment to ensuring a future without T1D.

I invite you to be part of this mission by supporting the Promise Ball, an inspiring evening on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Hilton Downtown Cleveland. Your generosity can make a lasting impact:
🔹 Become a Gala Sponsor
🔹 Attend the Event
🔹 Fund A Cure – 100% of your donation goes directly to T1D research. Click the blue button on the right of this page to donate to Fund A Cure.

Every gift brings us closer to a cure. Thank you for your support in making a difference for families like mine.

On December 13, 2023, our world changed when my bright, spirited Aidan was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. The news was overwhelming, but Aidan’s resilience shined through. He quickly adapted, wearing his continuous glucose monitor like a badge of honor and embracing the daily challenges with courage. Instead of letting his diagnosis define him, he educates his friends and faces each day with strength and determination.

This journey has taught us the power of perseverance, love, and community. There are tough days filled with worry and exhaustion, but also moments of triumph—when Aidan successfully manages his blood sugar, educates others, or simply finds joy in the little victories. His unwavering spirit reminds us that even in the face of adversity, life remains a beautiful gift.

Through this experience, we’ve found purpose—advocating for Aidan and countless others navigating life with T1D. Breakthrough T1D has been our lifeline, offering community, support, and hope. With your help, we can take one step closer to a world without diabetes. Please consider supporting this important mission!

On March 21, 2022, just three weeks after his 12th birthday, our son CJ was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We had no idea how much our lives would change that day. T1D isn’t something you can take a break from—it’s a 24/7 job. Every meal, every activity, even sleep requires careful monitoring and planning. There are nights we wake up multiple times to check his blood sugar, moments of panic when his levels drop too low, and days when the weight of it all feels overwhelming.

But through it all, CJ has shown incredible strength. He faces every challenge with courage, even when it’s exhausting. As a family, we’ve learned to adapt, to support each other, and to find hope in the work being done to one day find a cure. That’s why we’re proud to support Breakthrough T1D and the “Through the Looking Glass” Gala on May 9, 2025. It’s an evening dedicated to raising awareness and funding research that could change lives—not just for CJ, but for everyone living with this disease.

When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 1999, my family’s world changed forever. We had no connections to others living with T1D, but my mother turned fear into action by fundraising for Breakthrough T1D. Through this community, we found hope, strength, and a shared belief in the power of research to transform lives. Today, as a person living with T1D, a scientist, and a diabetes clinician, I’ve seen firsthand how therapies funded by Breakthrough T1D have improved care—from continuous glucose monitors to automated insulin delivery systems, which have been life-changing, especially during my recent pregnancy.

I am honored to serve as a Breakthrough T1D Board Member and a “Mom on a Mission” honoree for the Cleveland Breakthrough T1D Dream Gala on May 9, 2025, at the Hilton in downtown Cleveland. This incredible evening will bring us together to fund research, celebrate progress, and push closer to a cure. I hope you’ll join me—whether by attending, purchasing a table, or making a donation. Your support fuels the breakthroughs that change lives. Thank you for being part of this journey!

As many of you know, Kendall now lives with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a relentless autoimmune disease that requires constant monitoring, care, and daily insulin to survive. Since her diagnosis on January 4, 2023, T1D has become a part of our everyday lives, bringing with it a constant cycle of blood sugar checks, carb counting, and insulin dosing. There is no cure yet, but I refuse to accept that one won’t be found in her lifetime. We remain optimistic about the scientific breakthroughs currently in progress.

Two years ago, my personal and professional lives collided, and I embarked on a mission to advocate for insulin affordability. Did you know that 1 in 5 people with diabetes in the U.S. are forced to ration their insulin because they can’t afford it? Insulin was discovered over 100 years ago, and its patent was sold for just $1 because Dr. Frederick Banting wanted to save lives, not profit from it. Yet today, insulin remains outrageously expensive for many families, forcing impossible choices between life-saving medication and basic necessities. No one should have to fight to afford the drug that keeps them alive, and I’m determined to change that—not just for Kendall, but for all those living with T1D.

This year, I was honored to join the BreakthroughT1D (formerly JDRF) Board of Directors, focusing on advocacy and awareness as the Advocacy Team Chair. I recently had the opportunity to participate in Government Day in DC where I met with 7 legislators to talk to them about the importance of SDP renewal, joining the Diabetes Caucus and insulin affordability. I do this important work because every day, our sweet girl faces the burdens of this disease, and something as simple as grabbing a quick snack or preparing for a game requires planning and vigilance. A day in the life of T1D for Kendall looks like:

• Waking up and counting carbs for breakfast, lunch and dinner, dosing insulin accordingly.
• Monitoring blood sugar levels throughout the day at school, with friends, or during sports—making real-time adjustments when she needs a snack, fast-acting glucose, or more insulin.
• Managing physical activity, ensuring her body has enough fuel to perform like her peers while carefully tracking her Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system.
• Responding to high and low alarms at all hours of the day and night—our family has learned never to take a full night’s sleep for granted.

No child or parent should have to live with the fear we experience daily—where even small mistakes can have dangerous, life threatening consequences. We are beyond grateful for Kendall’s resilience and understanding as we navigate this journey together.

Organizations like BreakthroughT1D are making incredible strides in research, from improved treatments to the hope of a cure. Every dollar raised brings us closer to a future where T1D is no longer a lifelong burden—where Type One can become Type None.

Because I am committed to raising funds for groundbreaking research and fighting for insulin affordability, I have agreed to become a Mom on a Mission at the upcoming Promise Ball held on May 9th, 2025, at the Hilton Downtown in Cleveland.  I ask you to join me in this fight—whether by donating, raising awareness, advocating for lower insulin costs, or simply sharing our story. Every action makes a difference.

Together, we can change the future for Kendall and millions of others.

August 14, 2024, is a day our family will never forget—our “D-Day.” It was the day my daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with type one diabetes at just ten years old.

That summer, we had spent time visiting family and friends in the UK, where we had lived for six years, before heading back to the U.S. for a few weeks on the southern coast of Maine, where I grew up. Looking back, there were signs—Emily was drinking excessively—but after long travel days, I dismissed it. Was it boredom? Jet lag? Dehydration? It wasn’t until the second night in Maine, when she woke up again feeling thirsty and needing to use the bathroom, that it hit me: Oh no, I think she has diabetes.

As a registered nurse, the fact that I didn’t realize it sooner still makes me sick to my stomach. I tried to rationalize it away—maybe she was just off because we hadn’t been home in almost a month. But I couldn’t shake the feeling, so I called our doctor and requested some lab work, thinking I was just being paranoid.

Two days after returning home, we had her blood drawn in the morning and then set off for a fun “Mommy and Me” back-to-school shopping day. We laughed, we picked out outfits, and we made memories—until my phone rang. It was a 216 number. Not being from Ohio, I almost didn’t answer. But I did. And my world stopped.

The voice on the other end was our physician, and because the call came through my car speakers, Emily heard everything. I had no time to shield her, no moment to prepare her, no way to hold her and tell her it would all be okay. We were sitting at a red light that had just turned green. What was I supposed to do?

I felt shocked. Scared. Unprepared. And worst of all, I felt like I had failed my daughter. My one job as a mother was to protect her, and in that moment, I felt like I hadn’t. That is a hard pill to swallow.

Everything became a blur. We rushed home to tell my husband, pack a bag, and head to the hospital. As a nurse, I had seen the ER from the other side, but as a mom, it was terrifying. So many people. So many questions. And my kids—both of them—were hungry. Yet no one could tell me what Emily could eat now. I felt so helpless. But then, Dr. Wood walked in. She hugged me, and in that moment, I knew—we would be okay. It would be scary and difficult, but we were in good hands. She was my rock that day. I don’t know if she realizes how much she meant to me in that moment, but I will forever be grateful to her.

Today, Emily is doing well. Some things will never be the same—I will always worry when she’s out with friends or at school events. She hasn’t stayed at a friend’s house for more than an hour since her diagnosis. But she’s healthier, happier, and full of energy. She has even overcome her fear of needles, something I am incredibly proud of her for. Our family is adjusting, but it’s hard. My son notices that I’m more exhausted, after so many sleepless nights checking Emily’s blood sugar. My husband travels for work, so most of the time, it’s just me. Even when he is home, Emily prefers that I handle her diabetes care. It takes a toll on all of us. Everything—from traveling to planning everyday activities—requires extra thought and preparation.

But in the midst of all the challenges, we found hope.

While in the hospital, we were introduced to Breakthrough T1D. They sent Emily a special bear, a small gesture that led me to learn more about their mission. This organization is leading the way in diabetes research and advancements, and they are fighting every day to find a cure. Because of Breakthrough T1D, I have hope that Emily will one day live a life free of diabetes.

As a Mom on a Mission, I am committed to doing everything I can to help make that hope a reality—not just for Emily, but for all those living with type one diabetes. That’s why I am fundraising for the Promise Ball on May 9th at the Hilton. This event is a critical part of funding the research that will one day lead to a cure.

I invite you to support my mission by purchasing a table, becoming a sponsor, or making a contribution to Fund A Cure, which directly funds type one diabetes research. Your generosity can make a lasting impact and bring us closer to a world without this disease.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our story and for considering supporting this cause that means everything to our family.

Our Type 1 journey began on May 17, 2023. What started out as a quick visit to the pediatrician for what I presumed was a need for antibiotics, turned into a three-day hospital stay for my daughter, Bianca. Together we tried to digest the weight of this disease and took a crash course in managing our “new life”.

Type 1 diabetes is very misunderstood. Admittedly, when we were sent to the hospital, I knew nothing about T1D. Just like many people that we encounter, I didn’t realize that it’s not something you can fix with lifestyle changes but rather her pancreas is essentially broken. It also doesn’t help that most of the education on diabetes is focused on Type 2, so when we try to advocate for better understanding, it often feels like we’re fighting an unnecessary battle.

Bianca makes many health decisions every hour trying to maintain some sort of normal life. Diabetes is relentless. It doesn’t take a break.  We are constantly monitoring blood sugar and making literal life or death decisions regarding her insulin dosage throughout the day. It’s exhausting, the pressure is intense, and no one, especially a child, deserves this stress each day. If we let our guard down for even one meal or one volleyball game, we know the consequences can be serious.

While many people will never truly understand the weight of this disease – the late-night alarms, the carb counting, the constant game of “how is diabetes going to act today?” – we are so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing support system. Our family and friends have stepped in to learn more, Bianca’s friends have walked beside her at a Breakthrough T1D walk, and her friends’ parents do not shy away from including her in sleepovers and playdates. She’s also met some Dia-Besties at Camp Ho Mita Koda, and I am incredibly grateful for their friendship as well as that of their families. It’s the group that no one wants to join but has the most amazing support system you’ll ever find.

With all of that said, it leads me this exact moment. A moment where I bring attention to this disease and ask for your help in creating a future without T1D. Every single day type 1 diabetics, like Bianca, fight for their health and their future. Your donation can bring us one step closer to a cure.

Please consider donating and passing along your support today.