Breakthrough T1D Walk is a nationwide movement dedicated to raising type 1 diabetes (T1D) awareness and funding research. As the largest T1D walk, this event empowers individuals and teams to take action. But we couldn’t do it alone—our local volunteers make each event possible!
That includes Casey Adams, Corporate Committee Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Walk. His role? Securing corporate sponsors for the Walk and getting them interested in supporting Breakthrough T1D.
He got involved after his son, Henry, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 13, starting with a Walk team—Henry’s Home Run—three years ago before serving as Co-Chair in 2025 and 2026.
This year, they have raised more than $80,000 in corporate sponsorships, and Casey’s efforts aren’t over yet—nor are they limited to Walk. He also secured a generous $75,000 Fund A Cure Gift from the Keck Foundation and matched it with his own money to support research for T1D cures.
“I went to high school and college with Steve Keck, and his daughter has celiac,” Casey said. “We’d see each other at lunch here and there and started talking about these autoimmune diseases, so I slowly just started introducing him to Breakthrough T1D and asked if they would consider a grant or a donation, and he said they would.”
“Without being involved in Walk, I wouldn’t have thought to reach out to Steve and the foundation for this ask. They’ve done a lot with funding different medical research…so it was a good fit for them,” Casey added.
Casey says this year’s Los Angeles Walk was the most fun of the three he’s participated in.
“Our team had a lot of great turnout of people coming to support us—a lot of my son’s high school baseball teammates came out—and I was able to get up on stage and speak for a bit, which I haven’t done in the past,” Casey said.
In 2027, Casey wants to increase the size of the corporate committee so they can reach more potential donors. He also hopes to solidify the existing partnerships and sponsors they’ve secured.
“We want to keep adding the number of sponsors and have them commit to supporting this cause long-term,” Casey said. “We want those to be year in, year out support.”
And he’s got some advice for people thinking about becoming volunteers, in any capacity.
“If people are feeling hesitant about getting involved, just take the plunge!” Casey said. “It’s a little bit of work, but it’s also a lot of fun—it’s rewarding and it makes a big difference.”
Interested? Find a Walk in your area and sign up to volunteer!
