Liz Walsh has been living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 33 years. The research and access work supported by Breakthrough T1D has allowed her to live a life she did not think was possible at the time of her diagnosis. T1D technology, such as the insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM), has empowered her to live more confidently and courageously, including navigating pregnancy with T1D.
Liz’s son, Julian, is her proudest accomplishment. Thanks to advancements in T1D treatment and care, she had a complication-free pregnancy, went full-term, and both she and Julian were healthy the entire time.
My hope is that we can create a world where no child or parent has to experience life with type 1 diabetes.”
Widespread awareness brings us closer to advancing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) until it is a condition of the past. Visit our Diabetes Awareness Month page to learn more about how you can get involved.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is often a misunderstood condition. For Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at some of the most common misconceptions about T1D and setting the record straight!
Aren’t type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes basically the same thing?
Though they share some similarities, type 1 diabetes and type 1 diabetes have different causes, effects, and treatments.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that is not preventable. In T1D, the body destroys the cells that produce insulin, a hormone everyone needs to get energy from food. T1D is the less common form of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body makes insulin but does not use it properly. T2D is the most common type of diabetes.
Learn About The Differences Between Type 1 Diabetes And Type 2 Diabetes.
I read that cinnamon can cure type 1 diabetes. Have you tried that?
There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes. The only treatment for T1D is insulin. Adjunctive therapies can also be used alongside insulin to achieve glucose control. (Hint: it’s not cinnamon.)
Learn About Type 1 Diabetes Treatments.
Having type 1 diabetes isn’t that hard; all you have to do is give yourself an insulin shot sometimes!
Managing type 1 diabetes is more than an insulin shot! While administering insulin is a crucial part of T1D, there are more daily steps people with T1D must take to stay healthy.
People with T1D need to check their blood sugar frequently during the day and overnight. This can be done with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or glucometer. If blood-sugar levels are high, insulin is usually administered. If blood-sugar levels are low, fast-acting glucose is usually ingested.
Learn About Checking Blood Sugar.
Counting carbohydrates is also a necessary part of T1D management. When you have type 1 diabetes, it’s important to know how many carbs you consume each time you eat or drink. This is so you can determine how much insulin you need to take at any given time to control your blood-sugar levels.
Learn About Counting Carbs.
Finally, administering insulin is necessary for people living with T1D. It can be done through injection, inhaler, or pump.
Learn About Administering Insulin.
How did your child get type 1 diabetes? They eat healthy and aren’t overweight!
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented. A type 1 diabetes diagnosis is not influenced by factors such as lifestyle, activity level, socioeconomic status, or habits.
While we are still funding research to determine the exact causes of T1D, we know a few factors are at play, including genes and family history, environmental triggers, and immune response.
Learn About The Causes Of Type 1 Diabetes.
You still have type 1 diabetes as an adult? I thought it was juvenile diabetes.
The condition that was once called “juvenile diabetes” is now medically known as type 1 diabetes because it impacts all ages and stages of life. In fact, more than 50% of new T1D diagnoses are in people over the age of 20.
Learn About The Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes.
I thought a cure was only five years away.
Our purpose is clear: As we drive toward curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it. Breakthrough T1D invests in the most promising research to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care for those all over the world who need it.
We’re closer than ever to cures for T1D. Giant leaps are happening nearly every day, from advanced technologies and early detection to cell therapies and disease-modifying therapies. We won’t stop until this condition is a thing of the past.
Learn About Our Research For Type 1 Diabetes Cures.
If you stop eating carbs, you’ll be healthier.
There’s no such thing as a diet all people with type 1 diabetes should follow. In reality, people with T1D can eat anything with the right amounts of insulin. But just like those without diabetes, eating a balanced diet full of whole foods is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
People living with T1D eat a variety of diets that they feel work best for them, including low carb. Speak with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your diet.
Learn About Food And Nutrition With Type 1 Diabetes.
Breakthrough T1D wrapped up our 2023 TypeOneNation Virtual Summit series with T1D Across the Globe. The event, hosted by sports broadcast TV journalist Jordan Ligons Robinson, featured leading voices from the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community talking about the exciting progress happening all over the world.
The New World of Type 1 Diabetes
Dr. Jeremy Pettus is an endocrinologist and associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and Director of Type 1 Diabetes Track at Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD).
Dr. Pettus acknowledged that while the “struggle is real” with T1D, there have also been a lot of very positive advancements in recent years that make life with T1D easier and healthier:
- T1D technology is booming. This means better diabetes control and less mental burden.
- There are newer insulins and new forms of glucagon that are more effective and easier to use.
- Other medications are now being explored to help improve blood glucose control.
- We have our first-ever approved drug, Tzield, to delay the onset of T1D.
Dr. Pettus is extremely optimistic about the future. “People with T1D are now living longer than people without diabetes because we’re so in tune with our health,” he said. “It really is an amazing day to have type 1 diabetes.”
Updates from Our CEO
Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., discussed the importance of research and advocacy in developing advanced therapies and cures for T1D.
Cell therapies and disease-modifying therapies are two of the most promising approaches to curing type 1 diabetes. Breakthrough T1D has been supporting both for decades and there have been exciting advances recently:
- Lantidra is the first-ever FDA-approved cell therapy for adults with T1D who experience severe hypoglycemia.
- In Vertex’s VX-880 clinical trial, two people have been able to completely stop taking insulin, and all participants are making their own insulin again.
- In Sernova’s clinical trial, five people achieved insulin independence.
- Tzield is the first-ever FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for T1D, delaying the onset of T1D for nearly three years in at-risk individuals.
- The CLVer study showed that Verapamil, a generic blood pressure medication, can preserve beta cell health in newly diagnosed individuals.
But if you don’t have access to these therapies and treatments, you don’t benefit from the research. That’s where Breakthrough T1D Advocacy comes into play. We’ve made some important wins recently:
- Medicare enrollees now have a monthly $35 out-of-pocket insulin price, and we’re fighting to extend that to other populations.
- We helped launch the Civica insulin project, which will manufacture biosimilar insulin that will cost $30 a vial.
- Our advocacy efforts have fundamentally changed the market in the U.S.: Lily, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi all reduced the costs of their insulins.
But gaps to access remain. Breakthrough T1D is working to ensure that all advances are available to all people with T1D, no matter who they are or where they live.
“Continue to use your powerful voices to drive change, to drive funding, to drive insulin affordability, to drive access, and to help us make cures a reality for the entire type 1 diabetes community,” Dr. Kowalski said.
Research Updates from Breakthrough T1D’s International Affiliates
Breakthrough T1D’s vision of a world without T1D requires global collaboration. We have five international affiliates amplifying our global efforts: Australia, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Breakthrough T1D Australia
Mike Wilson, CEO of Breakthrough T1D Australia, shared an exciting Breakthrough T1D-funded research program called ENDIA: Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity which explores the interaction between the environment and genetics that lead to the triggering of T1D. ENDIA is helping to shed light on the environmental factors that cause T1D by monitoring babies with an immediate relative with T1D from pregnancy through to childhood, as well as their parents.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Australia’s update now!
Breakthrough T1D Canada
Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada, detailed Breakthrough T1D-funded research led by Dr. James Shapiro, who is best known for leading the team that developed the Edmonton Protocol in 1999. Dr. Shapiro and his team are looking for ways to reduce the level of immunosuppression needed after transplantation of donor islet cells, including using an infusion of regulatory T-cells to prevent graft rejection and autoimmune response.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Canada’s update now!
Breakthrough T1D Netherlands
Diederik Veldkamp, CEO of Breakthrough T1D Netherlands, explained several Breakthrough T1D-funded projects at Amsterdam University Medical Centers that focus on mental health. One study explores whether the app MyDiaMate, when combined with regular care, can reduce worries and tension surrounding T1D, also known as diabetes distress. Another, the Diabetes Body Project, is a study developed for young women in the type 1 diabetes community to promote a healthy body image and prevent eating problems.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Netherlands’ update now!
Breakthrough T1D UK
Dan Farrow, Head of Community Engagement of Breakthrough T1D UK, discussed the Breakthrough T1D-funded study ELSA: Early Surveillance for Autoimmune Diabetes. This research aims to screen 20,000 children aged 3-13 across the UK for T1D. The study will provide crucial insights into practical and effective ways to screen large numbers of children. This study will potentially lay the groundwork for a UK-wide screening program.
Watch Breakthrough T1D UK’s update now!
While our Breakthrough T1D Israel team was not able to join us with a message, we are happy to share the team is safe and providing community support to people with T1D in Israel. Breakthrough T1D International supports those efforts and is also
working with our global partners to determine the best way to support the entire T1D community in the impacted regions. When we have tangible ways
to help people living with T1D in the region, we will share them with our community.
The Global Power of Video Games
Breakthrough T1D Play is a global program spreading awareness, promoting representation, and fundraising through the power of video games. Through in-game integration, live stream fundraisers, game bundles, and eSports tournaments, the program has raised more than $3 million since its inception.
Watch Breakthrough T1D Play’s video celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month!
Photo Credit: Bridget Moehlman
When Helen Rapp Nightingale’s brother, Turner, was diagnosed with T1D nearly 20 years ago, she wanted to do everything she could to help find a cure for him. She was only 12 years old at the time but knew a lot about kids’ theatre. With support from her “generous and talented” family and friends, the Arch City Kids Theatre Troupe (ACTT) was created.
Based in St. Louis, ACTT produces an annual Broadway-style musical revue to raise money and awareness for Breakthrough T1D. Each summer’s performance—which includes two evening shows and a matinee—is driven entirely by children ages 8 to 18, from casting to directing to choreography. “The fact that the kids are the leadership, make all the decisions, and make the show happen is very impactful for them and hopefully inspires them to be positive agents of change throughout their lives,” Helen said.
The shows are free, but donations are taken at the door. In the lobby, there are fundraisers galore: raffles, a silent auction, a bake sale, and more. To date, ACTT has raised nearly $325,000 for Breakthrough T1D.
Izzy Scheibel (pictured above right) has been part of ACTT since she was 10 years old, and this summer she was the Educational Director and Choreographer. “Dancing with T1D introduced me to this incredible group,” she said. “ACTT is like family to me. I’m able to do what I love and was born to do all while raising awareness for type 1 diabetes!”
Photo Credits: Bridget Moehlman
For as long as Cameron Kenny can remember, he has been infatuated with Mount Everest. “Since I was roughly 10 years old, I’ve been tracking and following the climbing teams that attempt Mount Everest each season.”
Cameron started mountain climbing with Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2013. That was followed by Longs Peak, the Grand Tetons, Mount Rainier, Mount Denali, and Mount Lhotse. He viewed each climb as a strategic stepping stone for what lay ahead.
As Cameron started planning his Mount Everest trek, he saw an opportunity. “I quickly realized that due to the size of the trip and mission, I needed to make it more than just about myself,” he said. Making the climb a fundraiser for Breakthrough T1D was an easy decision—his brother, Andrew, was diagnosed with T1D at age 17. Cameron can still remember exactly where he was when he heard the news.
“The courage and character Andrew has shown since day one of his diagnosis is remarkable and inspiring,” Cameron said. “I am incredibly proud of the fearlessness he has shown throughout his journey.”
Cameron’s Mount Everest climb raised more than $140,000. He’s both ecstatic and grateful. “It was an honor to carry the Breakthrough T1D flag to the top of the world,” he said. “I hope my journey will inspire others to chase their dreams and benefit others while doing so.”
In 2022, Jennifer set a goal to ride her bike 3,000 miles by the end of the year. She completed her 3,000th mile on Christmas Day. That achievement inspired her to keep riding but, this time, with meaning.
“I decided that in 2023, I would give my miles purpose by joining the Breakthrough T1D Ride team and training for my first 100-mile ride,” she said.
Therapist on Wheels
Jennifer’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2021 after becoming critically ill with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Grasping this “new normal” was a challenge. Jennifer started riding her bike to manage the stress that accompanies being a T1D caregiver. “Riding became my therapist and my Zen time while managing the ins and outs of type 1 diabetes care,” she said.
Jennifer was motivated by her dad (pictured with her above), who does an annual birthday bike ride equal to the age he is turning. “Last year, I began training to do the entire metric century (63 miles) with him and fell in love with cycling,” she said. She made many fast friends through Breakthrough T1D Ride, but her favorite biking companion is still her father.
Riding a Century
Breakthrough T1D My Ride allows participants the flexibility to choose their location, course, goals, and more. Jennifer’s Breakthrough T1D Ride team recently hosted a century ride for local Breakthrough T1D My Ride riders. She was ready for the challenge. “It was my first ever century ride and such a monumental accomplishment,” she said. Her family was there to support her every step of the way. “At the end, my husband and kids drew a finish line in chalk and were waiting for us with signs and celebratory champagne.”
A Positive Outlook
Jennifer makes sure that T1D doesn’t slow her or her daughter down. In fact, her daughter’s role as a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador has given her a confidence boost. “Type 1 diabetes forced her to grow up very quickly,” Jennifer said. “But it has also given her the grit and determination to fight through life’s ups and downs.”
And while the day-to-day focus is often on her daughter, Jennifer encourages new T1D caregivers to take care of themselves, too. “A T1D diagnosis is life-altering for you and your entire family,” she said. “Seek support and find healthy outlets to be the best T1D parent you can be!”
Sign up today for Breakthrough T1D My Ride.
“Black Friday”—is the official start of the holiday shopping season. There is no better way to honor the spirit of giving that comes with the holidays than by giving back to a community that wants what we all want: to see a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Moving Forward—Breakthrough T1D‘s theme for the month—is what fuels our vision and mission to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications—for those living with T1D and those who love them. It’s a reminder of what and who we are fighting for, and that together, we move #ForwardAs1.
Giving to others has always been a hallmark of the holiday season and this year, you can spread joy by supporting the T1D community through gifts that give back and help drive Breakthrough T1D’s mission forward to find cures for T1D.
These holiday ideas that give back will not only brighten someone’s day but will have a lasting impact on the lives of families and individuals living with T1D.
- Little Words project “Forward4T1D” bracelets: Show your support for National Diabetes Awareness Month and Breakthrough T1D with this Forward4T1D Bracelet! This November, we encourage you to spread awareness for type 1 diabetes and the importance of moving research and breakthroughs forward. 25% of the net proceeds from these bracelets will help fund research and life-changing programs for type 1 diabetes.
- Shimmer by Cindy: 100% of the proceed from the Diabetes Awareness Collection will be donated to Breakthrough T1D.
- Lokai: $1 for every bracelet purchased goes back to Breakthrough T1D
- Mattress Firm: During the month of November, Mattress Firm customers will be asked to donate in increments of $5, $10, $15 and $25 to give back to Breakthrough T1D.
- Breakthrough T1D Forward for Type 1 Diabetes T-shirts: ($1 of the proceeds of each sale will benefit Breakthrough T1D)
- Visit the Breakthrough T1D store to purchase other Breakthrough T1D-branded apparel and a wide range of merchandise (including Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes®, who is also available free-of-charge to newly diagnosed children in the Breakthrough T1D Bag of Hope®) to show your support and raise awareness for Breakthrough T1D and the T1D community.
- LiveFree with T1D: Your Path to Transformation: You have a plan to manage your blood sugars. But you also need a plan to manage the stress of T1D. When you join LiveFree with T1D (a program from Dr. Mark Heyman, otherwise known as “Dr. Mark” and “The Diabetes Psychologist”) you’ll get a personalized roadmap to manage stress so T1D doesn’t get in your way. Plus, you’ll join a community that truly understands your experience where you can connect with fellow T1Ds on the same journey to freedom.
Have a safe and joyous holiday season!
Guri Burmi moved to the U.S. from India 22 years ago, and a cross-country motorcycle ride had been on his bucket list for a while.
“I wanted to explore the amazing landscapes, the food, and the variety of cultures one can only experience during a road trip,” he said.
Guri’s wife, Manpreet, suggested he use his ride to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts. A few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Guri’s nephew in India, Arnav, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 14. Supporting JDRF’s cures research felt like a perfect fit.
“As a practicing Sikh American, we are taught to give back to our community,” he said. “This motorcycle ride, coupled with the opportunity to raise funds, was a dream come true from all aspects.”
Arnav was thrilled to hear about his uncle’s fundraiser. He helped manage Guri’s Instagram page, which documented the journey from pre-ride fundraising to the finish line.
In total, Guri rode for 17 days, covered almost 6,200 miles, and raised over $6,000. When he arrived home to cheering family and friends lining the streets of his North Carolina neighborhood, he was humbled by the support.
“I am glad that I have been able to inspire others and hope that we can all help find the cure soon.”
Fall is arriving in all its usual glorious colors—pumpkin orange, apple red, forest green, and…blue?
That’s right. Thanks to National Diabetes Awareness Month, blue is the color to flaunt this November, and looking Forward—JDRF’s theme for the month—is what fuels our vision and mission to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its 
complications, for those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and those who love them. It’s a reminder of what and who we are fighting for, and that together, we move #ForwardAs1.
This year, the T1D community will have ample opportunity to showcase its team spirit. November is truly a month of wonders—World Diabetes Day falls on November 14, the anniversary of insulin discoverer Frederick Banting’s birth. But even before that, on November 1, Breakthrough T1D will be celebrating T1Day.
Inaugurated by Breakthrough T1D on November 1, 2011 (11-1-11), T1Day is an occasion to use our collective voice to reach as many people around the world as we can, to raise awareness about T1D, and celebrate the lives of those who live with T1D and those who love them.
What can you do to paint your own town blue? We have a few ideas.
- Generate awareness of T1D during all of your online events and gatherings via our Zoom and Microsoft Teams backgrounds [zip file].
- Write to your local government officials to ask them to officially proclaim World Diabetes Day.
- Wear your favorite blue outfit to school or work. Expand your options with some new NDAM items:
- A 2023 Breakthrough T1D Forward for type 1 diabetes t-shirt. $1 from every t-shirt purchase benefits Breakthrough T1D research.
- Exclusively for National Diabetes Awareness Month, Breakthrough T1D has partnered with Little Words Project on a custom “Forward4T1D” bracelet. For every bracelet purchased, Little Words Project will donate 25% to Breakthrough T1D. Bracelets available for purchase starting Nov. 1.
JDRF’s chapters and international affiliates are making their own exciting plans for National Diabetes Awareness Month, and they can help you put your own creative ideas to work too, so be sure to check in with your local Breakthrough T1D team for more information. Together, we can shout our way to cures for this disease!
For the inside scoop on events through the month of November, visit our National Diabetes Awareness Month page.
Ralph Mastoloni when he was drafted into the U.S. Army
Ralph Mastoloni always had a goal in mind.
The oldest of five children born to an American father and Italian mother, he was expected to help the most around the house. Ralph scrubbed the floors and washed the windows happily. “Our family was very close, traditional, loving, and caring,” recalled his youngest brother, Edward Mastoloni.
Ralph was extremely bright and always an outstanding student. One of his first goals was to attend college, which he achieved at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y., in the early 1940s.
Graduation was put on pause, though, when he was called to serve in the United States Army Signal Corps (USASC) in World War II. During his three years of military service, Ralph traveled to Germany, Belgium, Holland, and France.
After his honorable discharge in 1946, Ralph resumed his education at St. John’s University and then Columbia University while working for New York City Civil Service as a housing inspector.
When his father passed away in 1969, Ralph stepped in to take care of his mother for the next 20 years. As the only one of his siblings who never married, he assumed the role of caretaker without a second thought. “It gave the rest of us the opportunity to help with the needs of our growing families,” Edward said.
A Dedicated Uncle
Another role he took very seriously was that of “Uncle.” So, when his niece Louise was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in her early teens, he took special notice. “Ralph was always impressed with how easily she was able to adjust her diet and lifestyle,” Edward said. “Thanks to new research and technology, she has been able to control her blood sugar levels and avoid long term complications.”
Ralph started donating to Breakthrough T1D in 1988 and continued giving for many years. He also chose to leave part of his estate to Breakthrough T1D in his will.
“Legacy gifts provide vital support, helping to ensure Breakthrough T1D continues funding research until we achieve our vision of a world without type 1 diabetes,” said Alan Berkowitz, Breakthrough T1D National Director of Legacy Giving. “We’re so grateful to supporters like Ralph who share that vision.”
In his later years, Ralph remained committed to his passions and ambitions. In 1999, he completed the New York City Marathon. He was an avid tennis fan and knew every player’s name on TV. And he was extremely dedicated to the Veterans Administration.
Ralph passed away in June 2022, surrounded by his family and friends. True to his nature, he accomplished his final goal: to live to 100 years of age.
Investing in Breakthrough T1D through a legacy gift accelerates our race to cure type 1 diabetes (T1D) and supports key advances that are helping people with T1D lead longer, healthier lives. Learn more about leaving your legacy at breakthrought1d.plannedgiving.org.
