We invite you and the Colorado type 1 diabetes (T1D) community to join us LATER THIS MONTH on Saturday, May 31 for a free Community Summit, hosted with our friends at the Barbara Davis Center (BDC)!

Community Summit is a day filled with inspiration and connection as we gather together to learn about life with T1D and how Breakthrough T1D supports you. This month’s Community Summit will bring us together to learn from local T1D experts on a variety of topics affecting all ages and stages of life with T1D.

So what can I expect on event day?

While this event is being hosted in partnership with the BDC, it will not be held in the BDC building. Join us just a few steps down at the Education 2 Building located at 13120 E 19th Ave.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to park, so you can start checking in at 8 a.m.

If you are registering children for either Kids Camp and/or Teen Time, check-in for these programs begins at 8:30 a.m.

After that, you’ll have time to grab some breakfast bites, chat with our vendors at the vendor fair, learn more about Breakthrough T1D’s programs from volunteers, and hear about how you might win some of our door prizes before our program begins at 9 a.m.

Wait, there’ll be door prizes?

That’s right! We’ll be giving away some Breakthrough T1D-branded door prizes for those who register and join us on event day!

There will also be opportunities to win other cool giveaways by completing some event day challenges.

So what kind of speakers will I get to hear from?

Our keynote speaker is Stephen Karpen, PharmD, Breakthrough T1D’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs. His presentation is titled, “From Research Innovation to Regulatory Approval: Bringing Breakthrough Therapies Home,” where he will take us behind the curtain on how T1D therapies go from test tubes and science labs into the hands of people living with T1D.

Afterward, you’ll have a chance to choose from four different breakout sessions, based on the topic that most interests you:

1. Dr. Karpen will be deep diving on how you can be an Advocate in action;
2. Brandon Arbiter, Co-Founder and Acting CEO at Tidepool, will be going underneath the hood on how T1D technologies come to market and what options are available to you;
3. Monica Lanning, PA, Adult Diabetes Division Instructor at the BDC, will be discussing the psychosocial impacts of T1D in adulthood; and
4. Kimber Simmons, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the BDC, will be sharing community stories on how clinical trials and screening programs impact you.

And just announced! We are so excited to welcome actor and producer Derek Theler to this event! Derek, a native of Colorado, earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine and Nutrition at Colorado State University, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. Since then, he has appeared in several TV series, including the long-running Freeform comedy “Baby Daddy,” Starz’ “American Gods,” and Paramount’s “68 Whiskey.” He’ll be sharing his T1D story during an inspirational Q&A session.

Will my children be able to participate in anything?

Absolutely! Children and teens are welcome to join their own programming sessions, while parents and caregivers sit in on keynote and breakout sessions. Siblings and friends are also welcome to participate!

Kids Camp will be available for those in grades kindergarten through 7th, while Teen Time will be available for those in grades 8th through 12th.

Our celebrity guest, Derek Theler, will be joining our youth programs to talk about his experiences growing up with T1D.

Will there be food?

While there will not be a formal breakfast provided, we will have light bites, grab-and-go plates, and a beverage bar available, including gluten-free options.

I’m so excited to attend! How do I secure my spot?

Register for your general admission, Kids Camp, and Teen Time spots here!

Do you need volunteers?

We do have volunteer opportunities available! Learn more about those here.

If you have questions, please reach out to Andrea at asantoyo@BreakthroughT1D.org.

We look forward to welcoming you!