Fund A Cure with Scott & Betsy Fishbone | Breakthrough T1D New Jersey Gala 2026
West Caldwell, NJ
November 1969. Richard Nixon is President. Vietnam War protests abound. Color TV is introduced into the homes of millions. And Scott is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). At 18 months old, Scott wasn’t really aware of how his life had just changed, but his parents, Dr. Gerald and Marilyn Fishbone, were faced with caring for a child with a disease they knew little about, and a future filled with fear and uncertainty. In an era without the internet or social media, Scott’s parents sought out the limited resources that were available and were thankfully connected to what was then a fledgling organization dedicated to finding a cure for T1D – the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF, then JDRF, now Breakthrough T1D). The support, knowledge, and sense of community they found there provided them with some hope, and a path to move forward and make a difference. Soon thereafter, Scott’s mother Marilyn founded the New Haven, CT Chapter, where she served as chapter President, volunteer leader and relentless fundraiser for decades. Scott’s father Gerald became involved on a national and international level, serving on the Lay Research Review Committee for 42 years, participating in funding over 900 research grants, and serving as Chairman of JDRF’s International Board of Directors from 1983-1986.
The Fishbone family’s commitment to the mission was further solidified in 2001 when Scott’s nephew, Harris, was diagnosed with T1D at age 5. The diagnosis served as a poignant reminder for Scott of the immense impact T1D has on the entire family – brothers, sisters and especially parents. Having lived through the days of testing sugar levels by taking blood from his fingertip, and taking upwards of 8-10 insulin injections daily, Scott is a testament to, and a beneficiary of, the incredible progress made possible by Breakthrough T1D. Now we have 24-hour continuous glucose monitors and smart insulin pumps that make living a normal life with T1D much more achievable. The improved blood sugar control has significantly reduced common T1D complications such as blindness, heart attack, and neuropathy.
Supporting Breakthrough T1D is a family affair – it started by pushing strollers with Lucas, Alex and Kate and walking as a family in the New Jersey walk-a-thons, and later, by both Betsy and Kate running marathons and half marathons to raise money for Breakthrough T1D. And Scott’s commitment has only increased; he currently serves on the Board of the New Jersey Metro Chapter of Breakthrough T1D and co-chairs the New Jersey Advocacy efforts.
It is our hope that this enduring family legacy of advocacy inspires others. Scott’s journey is a testament to how far we have come, but it also serves as a powerful reminder that the work is not yet done. The quest for a cure is a marathon, not a sprint. But we are as optimistic as we have ever been. Exciting breakthroughs are happening and with every dollar we raise, we are moving closer to the finish line—the day we can finally celebrate a world without T1D.