Debbie and Pat Phillips To Be Honored with Breakthrough T1D Living & Giving Award at the 2024 Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Hope Gala

Breakthrough T1D is proud to announce our 2024 Charlotte Hope Gala Honorees, Debbie and Pat Phillips.

Known throughout the Charlotte community for their social and civic leadership and philanthropy, Debbie and Pat have always cast a wide net of impact. A former executive with Bank of America, Pat spent his career forging relationships and leading by example, and in the years since, he and Debbie have continued to bring people together (their Christmas parties are legendary!) in support of others. This is never truer than when it comes to their family.

When their grandson Connor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2015 at eight years old, Debbie and Pat were determined not to let this disease win. Walking alongside Connor and his parents throughout the early days of his diagnosis journey, the Phillips were eager to help in any way they could. They would join Breakthrough T1D in the fight against T1D and make a difference for Connor and so many others, in the ways they knew best: leading by example, giving generously and creating community.

Since that day in 2015, the Phillips have been tremendous partners of Breakthrough T1D and stalwart believers in our mission. They have supported Connor and his father Brian Sacco through cycling events for Breakthrough T1D’s Ride to Cure program. “Sally and I would not have been able to help Connor navigate diagnosis and thrive with his T1D without the support of Debbie and Pat,” said Brian. “Their tremendous focus on helping us raise money should give hope to all families, that we WILL find a cure for T1D.”

In addition to sitting on the Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Executive Council and Gala committee, Pat is an avid wine connoisseur and graciously donates from his impressive personal wine collection for each year’s Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Gala auction. Debbie and Pat also organize and donate immensely popular 100-point Wine Dinners at popular Charlotte restaurants, in addition to hosting events in their own home, to create awareness and raise funds for Breakthrough T1D.

Pat’s employer of 35 years, Bank of America, has long supported Breakthrough T1D across many chapters and markets, most notably in their headquarters city of Charlotte. Bank of America is Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Hope Gala, and we are excited for the opportunity to partner in honoring Debbie and Pat.

Breakthrough T1D is proud to honor Debbie and Pat Phillips with this year’s Living & Giving Award. They have made a tremendous difference in the community in many ways, but their dedication to Breakthrough T1D and shared commitment to our vision of a world without T1D is truly inspirational. As is written on Pat’s personalized Breakthrough T1D license plate, their generosity and leadership is all “4CONR.”

To learn more about this year’s Breakthrough T1D Charlotte Hope Gala, purchase tickets, make a Fund A Cure donation or bid in the auction, visit hopegalacharlotte.com.