The 14^th Annual Hope Gala Was Presented By:
  

Thank you for everyone’s generous support of the 14th Annual Breakthrough T1D Hope Gala!  The event was held on February 25, 2017 at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center and included an array of silent and live auctions, a phenomenal dinner provided by Chef Scott, Fund A Cure, and dancing the night away with The Janitors live!

More than 200 guests joined us and helped raise over $435,000 in support of our mission to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Additional Fund A Cure donations are being received daily helping our grand total continually climb!  If you would like to help us reach our goal by the end of our fiscal year in June, please visit our website to make a life changing Fund A Cure donation where 100% goes directly to Breakthrough T1D research. Thank you for your support!

Janet Roach, ABC13 News Anchor and four-time Emmy award winning journalist, served as this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies and lit up the room with energy and excitement for the second year in a row!  Since her son Trevor’s diagnosis at age 8, Breakthrough T1D has become an integral part of their family. Trevor was recently selected to represent the Hampton Roads Chapter with more than 160 other children in Washington, D.C., to meet with top national decision-makers at ‘Children’s Congress.’ These children tell Members of Congress what it’s like to live with T1D, and explain why Federal Government support for research is so important.

Hope Gala Honorees – Dr. Doug Culling & Family

This year, it was our honor to present the Spirit of Life Award to Dr. Doug Culling and his family. Dr. Culling is the Corporate Vice President of Sentara Healthcare and the President of Sentara Medical Group. The Culling’s son Matt was diagnosed with T1D when he was 12 years old. In May of 2016, their daughter Kristen was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 28 leaving two of their three children affected by T1D. After already being involved with Breakthrough T1D, this gave them even more drive to be involved in our fight to cure, treat and prevent T1D and its complications. Dr. Culling is currently on the Breakthrough T1D Board of Directors and his wife Mary is on the Hope Gala Committee.

Mary and her three children Matt, Brad and Kristen shared their story in an emotional video to introduce their father Dr. Doug Culling as this year’s Honoree. Watch the video to hear their uplifting story! Doug concluded the presentation saying that while diabetes does change your life, you can still do everything that you have dreamed of. He went on to discuss how life for our T1D loved ones will not always be this way thanks to the efforts and advancements that Breakthrough T1D and partners have made along the way.

Thank you to Doug, Mary, Matt, Brad, and Kristen for sharing their story about living with T1D and supporting our mission with your hard work.

The Turbeville Family Spirit of Hope Award Recipient: Dr. Paul Rein

Breakthrough T1D was created—and is still led—by people with a personal connection to T1D. Here in Hampton Roads, that passion and commitment was originally exemplified in Sammy and Sandy Turbeville who led the way in founding our chapter nearly 20 years ago. In their honor, The Turbeville Family Spirit of Hope Award continues their legacy by recognizing an individual whose boundless energy and selfless dedication to the Breakthrough T1D mission is extraordinary and inspirational. It was our honor to present this award to our Ride to Cure Diabetes Coach, Dr. Paul Rein.

Dr. Marta Satin-Smith presented him with this award with a few comical quotes from “Coach Paul” and shared all of the support he has given our amazing Ride team.

 

Fund A Cure Raises $285,000 & Still Counting!

The Fund A Cure portion of the evening was kicked-off with an extremely generous gift of $50,000 from Mrs. Rachel C. Bell, mother of Board Member and former Board President Kaddy Hamilton, who has a well-known passion for finding a cure for her grandson Cecil. Gifts were given at levels of $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250 and $125. Thank you to everyone who donated to Fund A Cure. 100% of Fund A Cure donations go to the vital mission of Breakthrough T1D.

 

Fund A Cure gifts will be accepted until June 30, 2017.  If you did not have an opportunity to donate to Fund A Cure and would like to, please call the office at 757-497-2202 or donate here. Your support is vital in our mission to accelerate life changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.

A BIG Thank You to the 2017 Presenting HOPE Partners: The Carr Investment Group and Suburban Capital

Thank you to The Carr Investment Group and Suburban Capital, this year’s Presenting HOPE partners, for their continued leadership role and support of the Hope Gala.

 

A Starry Night to Remember: A Party with a Purpose

Not only was the evening full of great auction items, guests in their sparkling attire and with live entertainment from The Janitors – the evening was a party with a purpose!  A purpose to support Breakthrough T1D’s Mission:  To accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.