Breakthrough T1D Wisconsin Gala 2026

Event Emcees

Appleton Emcee Otis Day

Otis Day

Appleton Emcee

Otis Day has been a longtime supporter of Breakthrough T1D and is excited to be part of the Breakthrough T1D Gala. Otis was diagnosed as a T1D in 1985, and his son Hudson was diagnosed in elementary school.

Otis has spent a quarter of a century broadcasting live on NE Wisconsin radio waves. He is live on 95.9 KISS FM as one of the hosts of KISS FM Mornings from 5 a.m. – 9 a.m. each weekday.

As an advocate for Breakthrough T1D Otis is thrilled to be invited back to host again this year. Otis says, “There is nothing in the world I am more passionate about in life than finding a cure for T1D, and that all starts with events like this.”

Madison Emcee Diana Henry

Diana Henry

Madison Emcee

While not having a personal connection, Diana Henry’s passion for finding better treatments and a cure for T1D goes beyond emceeing the gala over the years. In addition to receiving the 2015 Volunteer of the Year award, Diana has been involved in the Ride to Cure since 2012.

In her full-time role, Diana is director of public relations at Market Crafters. She assists a variety of agency clients with marketing, communication, and public relations needs.

Before joining Market Crafters, Diana spent more than a decade behind the anchor desk as a television news journalist in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

During her broadcast news career, Diana won numerous awards. Those honors include Associated Press awards, regional Emmy, and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for a documentary for her one-hour documentary featuring Wisconsin volunteers’ stories as they helped those devastated by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Milwaukee Emcee Erik Bilstad

Erik Bilstad

Milwaukee Emcee

Erik Bilstad, a national Edward R. Murrow award winning journalist, can be heard on Wis. Morning News every weekday morning on Newsradio 620 WTMJ in Milwaukee.

Erik has lived with T1D since he was 7 years old. When it comes to being insulin dependent, he has experienced it all! He has seen the technology improve dramatically over the years, and credits the research being done by Breakthrough T1D for making living with T1D so manageable.

Erik, his wife, and three children reside in Menomonee Falls. They love to travel to warm destinations, watch their kids play soccer/baseball/piano/etc. and take their dog Remi on long hikes.

Fund A Cure

Milwaukee The Zilinskas Family

The Zilinskas Family

Milwaukee

To learn more about the Zilinskas family, click here.

Appleton The Hill Family

The Hill Family

Appleton

To learn more about the Hill Family, click here.

Madison The Scharpf Family

The Scharpf Family

Madison

To learn more about the Scharpf family, click here.

Honorees

Appleton Honoree The Engel Family

The Engel Family

Appleton Honoree

To learn more about the Engel Family, click here.

Milwaukee Honoree The Smith Family

The Smith Family

Milwaukee Honoree

To learn more about the Smith Family, click here.

Madison Honoree The Eager Family

The Eager Family

Madison Honoree

To learn more about the Eager Family, click here. 

Appleton

Venue: Hilton Paper Valley

333 W College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911

Honoree:

The Engel Family

Fund A Cure Family:

The Hill Family

Evening Highlights:

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00 PM – Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30 PM – Dinner

Menu:

Stuffed Strawberries

Halved strawberries with honey touched Montrachet Cheese finished with Candied Walnuts.

Quinoa on a Cucumber

Citrus and Roasted Vegetable Quinoa atop an English Cucumber 

Smoked Salmon on a “Cracker”

Cold smoked Norwegian Salmon on a seeds of the earth house baked cracker finished with red curry Aioli.

Entrees

Short Ribs

Braised Short ribs Red Wine Demi, Pan Seared Shrimp (2) Lemon Butter, Roasted Garlic Mashed Baby Red Potatoes, Honey Glazed Heirloom Roasted Carrots.

Chicken

Carrot and Onion Crusted Chicken Breast. Served with Herb Roasted Red Potatoes O’Brian and Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli Florets.

Cauliflower Steak

Char Roasted Marinated Cauliflower served on House Made Red Pepper Hummus finished with Pickled Red Onion Sweet Baby Bell Pepper and Arugula Salad. 

Desserts

Beyond Chocolate Torte

Blueberry Cheesecake

7:15 PM – Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow

Entertainment:

The Third Wheels

Hotel Block:

To reserve a room, please call In-House Reservations at (920) 733-8000 or Hilton Central Reservations at (800) 744-1500 and mention the Breakthrough T1D Wisconsin Gala block of room.

*Please note that the reservation deadline is February 4, 2026

Madison

Venue: Monona Terrace

1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53703

Honoree:

The Eager Family

Fund A Cure Family:

The Scharpf Family

Evening Highlights:

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00 PM – Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30 PM – Dinner

Menu:

Salad

Spinach & Cranberry Salad with House Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF)

Entrees

Provencal Braised Beef Short Ribs

Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes, Pan Jus, and Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (GF)

Truffle Butter Airline Chicken Breast

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans with Confetti Peppers

Roasted Salmon

Mustard Dill Sauce, Lemon Rice Pilaf, and Green Beans with Confetti Peppers

Butternut Squash Risotto Cakes

Beet Puree, Pickled Beets, and Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (Vegan, GF)

Kids Entree

Chicken Tenders

Desserts

Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Turban Cup

Blueberry Apple Cider Sauce and White Chocolate Drizzle and Clients Chocolate Deco (GF)

Sour Cream Raspberry Cheesecake

Golden Oreo Crust with Raspberry and White Chocolate Sauce, Fresh Raspberries and Clients Chocolate Deco (GF)

7:15 PM – Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow

Entertainment:

The Cougars

Hotel Block:

Guests can reserve a room from our block of rooms at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace. To reserve a room online, click here.

Guests can also call Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667 or call the hotel directly at 608-255-5100 and reference the group code: 907

*Please note that the reservation deadline is February 4, 2026

Milwaukee

Venue: The Italian Community Center

631 E Chicago St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Honoree:

The Smith Family

Fund A Cure Family:

The Zilinskas Family

Evening Highlights:

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00 PM – Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30 PM – Dinner

Menu:

Mista Salad

Mixed Greens, Fennel, Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots, Red Onion, Radish, Cucumber, Balsamic Vinaigrette (VG, GF)

Main Meal

Braised Short Ribs and Grilled Shrimp

Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Broccolini, Red Wine Butter (GF)

Parmesan and Ricotta Ravioli

Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Spinach, White Truffle Brown Butter (V) (GF) Option available, substituting GF pasta for ravioli

Kids Meal

Cheese Flatbread Pizza, Fresh Fruit Salad (V)

(GF) Option available

Dessert

Flourless Chocolate Cake (GF)

7:15 PM – Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow

Entertainment:

The Potentials

Hotel Block:

Journeyman Hotel – 310 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Click here to book

*Please note, guests will have until February 13, 2026 (or the block fills) to book.

Partnership Opportunity Details

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