Our local chapter was honored and humbled to learn recently that Deborah Digges, of Towson, MD, bequeathed to Breakthrough T1D an exceptional gift of more than $5 million. Deborah, who passed away in June, had lived with T1D for more than 50 years, having been diagnosed when she was just 13. Deborah was a retired public relations professional and is survived by three sisters.

Deborah was keenly interested in Breakthrough T1D’s research, especially those projects related to a cure for T1D. She was also intrigued by advances in artificial pancreas research and by the latest developments in pump and continuous glucose monitoring technology.

While Deborah’s mother, Betty Lee Digges, had made a $200,000 bequest to Breakthrough T1D in 2004, Deborah herself had not personally engaged with Breakthrough T1D until recently. Deborah was a private person who wanted to be sure she understood the intricacies and challenges of T1D, what Breakthrough T1D was doing to address them, and how she could help.

We are saddened by Deborah’s loss, but grateful for her outstanding philanthropic leadership. We are also inspired by Deborah’s belief that an investment of this magnitude could have the greatest impact on Breakthrough T1D’s T1D research. We honor her generosity as we work to create a World without T1D.