Sixteen-year-old Jonathan Feltingoff, known to friends and family as “Jonny,”  was a stand-out young man.

“He was just a true leader,” said his older sister, Carrie Feltingoff, a senior at the University of Miami who lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D). “He fought against gun violence. He was the leader on his basketball team. He volunteered to coach kids with disabilities in basketball. He was an all-around community guy giving back. That was just his passion.”

Jonny was an active citizen and a leader—not only for his classmates at North Broward Prep High School and the broader Boca Raton, Florida, community—but also within his own family.

Even though he was the youngest of the three Feltingoff children, he was always the most mature one. Especially when it came to his sister, Carrie, and her struggles with T1D.

“Jonny grew up watching Carrie struggle with this disease from a very young age,” said Sharon Feltingoff who aside from being mother of Carrie, Ben and Jonny Feltingoff, co-owns JC White, a Florida-based award-winning architectural interior product firm, with her husband, Mark.

“I know that every time Carrie hurt, Jonny hurt,” said Mark Feltingoff, the family patriarch who is also CEO of JC White. Jonny, Ben, and Mark Feltingoff

Shortly after Carrie’s diagnosis—which happened 10 years ago right before her 12th birthday—the family found Breakthrough T1D. Mark joined Breakthrough T1D’s corporate board and the family regularly participated in Walk and other Breakthrough T1D events. But no one—not even Carrie herself—matched Jonny’s enthusiasm to end type 1 diabetes.

“Jonny-on-the-spot is what we used to call him,” Sharon added. “He was the one who Carrie would turn to when she was having a low… His room was really directly next to Carrie’s, so he would run and get her juice or whatever she needed.  And it was really Jonny’s hope to find a cure for Carrie.”

“Johnny always got all of his friends to participate in the walk,” added Ben Feltingoff, a sophomore at Indiana University Bloomington and the middle Feltingoff child. “One year, he got his entire basketball team to come.”

A Shocking Tragedy

Then, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, tragedy stuck. Jonny was hit by a motorist while he was riding his bike. He died later that day from the injuries he sustained.

Losing Jonny so unexpectedly and at such a young age sent shockwaves of extreme grief through the Feltingoff family and the broader community. It was a dark time for all who knew Jonny.

“There was just such an outpouring of support because of who he was and his character,” Carrie said. “What his teachers thought of him. What his friends thought of him. What his family thought of him. What strangers thought of him.”

But from that darkness, a glimmer of light—inspired by Jonny—prompted Carrie and Ben to take action.

“So the day after Jonny died, Carrie on a whim decided to put together a GoFundMe Page,” Sharon said. “As you can imagine, we were in shock and just couldn’t believe the tragedy that had befallen our family. And Carrie just put it up on social media. Didn’t even say a word to anybody. And the next thing you know, it just morphed and took on a life of its own.”

Through their campaign, Carrie and Ben Feltingoff raised approximately $83,000, a very successful GoFundMe campaign.

The family has graciously committed their own funds to bring the total to $100,000—an impressive total gift in Jonny’s memory. The gift will support Breakthrough T1D’s Beta Cell research at the family’s request.

Love & Basketball

In addition, a group of Jonny’s friends designed hoodies they are selling online. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Breakthrough T1D in honor of Jonny’s memory.

On the hoodie, the words “Fly High Jonny” surround a ball with wings to represent another one of Jonny’s passions: basketball.

“We want to remember Jonny through Breakthrough T1D or something diabetes related—Carrie has T1D but I have type 2 diabetes—so there was always a passion for it, “ Mark said.  “But we will likely also do something with basketball and underprivileged, urban youth.”

“Jonny was always the type of kid that always saw people—no matter who they were—as people. He  just always wanted to figure out a way to help anyone who was suffering,” Ben said.

“He was keenly aware of how privileged he was,” Sharon added.

The Feltingoffs have already started working with community organizations to explore how to best combine Jonny’s love of service with his love of basketball.

“It could be with the boys and girls club—it could be with one of the sports teams,” Mark said.

One of the sports teams could be the NBA’s Miami Heat. The team reached out to the Feltingoffs this summer. Jonny was an avid Heat fan. He went to their basketball camps and even had a Miami Heat-Themed Bar Mitzvah. He was buried in his Miami Heat jersey and his favorite high top basketball shoes.

Living the Way Jonny Wanted Us to Live

For all who knew Jonny, he left a powerful lasting impression. But perhaps no one has taken Jonny’s legacy to heart as dramatically as Carrie has.

“When I was diagnosed he was 6. Through the years, I put my family through a lot,” Carrie said.  “I was in DKA twice. I was very noncompliant.”

“The past 6 months I want to say, we all were shocked by the total transformation that Carrie made,” Ben said.  “She started taking better care of herself. Jonny would be so insanely proud of what Carrie has been doing. I feel like, that’s why she’s been doing what she has been doing. She knows how much Jonny cared about this. I am happy that she’s continued with this even after the tragedy that we experienced.”

“Jonny always stood by me,” Carrie said.  “Because I put my family through so much, I feel that he was always standing by me and encouraging me.”

“That is how we will live Jonny’s legacy… By living the way he thought we should live,” Mark said. “Because of Jonny… We are all going to be better humans. We will be sadder forever but we will be better people.”

Sunday November 1, was Type 1 Diabetes Day (T1Day)—the first day of National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) and a day to recognize the bravery and resilience of those who are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

But for 2020, November 1 was also a day to celebrate the more than 40,000 walkers and more than 10,000 teams that participated in Breakthrough T1D Walk.

Because of the pandemic, this year’s One Walk was different. To follow COVID-19 safety protocols, rather than attending their typical local Breakthrough T1D One Walk events, people were encouraged to have teams and walk on their own. The goal? For all teams to walk a collective 1.6 million miles in honor of the approximately 1.6 million Americans living with T1D, and raise $50 million to recognize Breakthrough T1D’s 50th anniversary.

T1D Champions = Superheroes

Given the heroic actions of all who participated in Walk, a virtual ceremony hosted by Brec Brec Bassinger and Cameron Gellman Bassinger and Cameron Gellman, stars of the show “Stargirl” and Breakthrough T1D Celebrity Ambassadors, seemed a fitting way to recognize the Breakthrough T1D Walk family.

“Cameron and I have been quarantining here together in Atlanta to start shooting season two of our TV series, ‘Stargirl,’” said Bassinger. “We both play high school superheroes and we are both type 1 diabetics.”

“We are so psyched to be your hosts for today’s Breakthrough T1D Walk National ceremony, which is a celebration of all of you and a celebration of the entire type 1 diabetes community,” Gellman said enthusiastically. “[In recognition of] how far we’ve come, and with your help, how far we’ll go.”

Pandemic No Match for Breakthrough T1D Community

Bassinger and Gellman shared their own experiences with T1D, but quickly focused the spotlight on Walk participants.

“We know that Breakthrough T1D is all about community, and that we’ve needed that community these days more than ever before,” Gellman said as he introduced the story about two families whose children were diagnosed with T1D during the pandemic: Neisy and Derek Rodriguez and Mike, Aldonza, and Mia Zito.

“I connected with Mike and Aldonza through the Breakthrough T1D New Parent Virtual Meet,” said Neisy, whose Rodriguez and Zito Families son Derek was diagnosed with T1D last April.  “Shortly after that, we connected on Facebook. Our families instantly clicked, even though it was all virtual.”

Neisy also has T1D, as does her mother. Her story offered hope to the Zitos, whose four year old daughter Mia had been diagnosed with T1D in May.

“When I met Neisy on the Breakthrough T1D meetup, she gave me the reassurance that Mia was going to live a long, healthy life,” Mike said.

Superheroes of All  Ages, Abilities

Damian and Paola ReynosoShortly after the Rodriguez-Zito story, viewers of the Walk ceremony met  Damian Reynoso, an elementary-school aged child living with T1D, and his mother, Paola.

“We remember what it was like before Dexcom or before a pump,” Paola said. “So to have these devices now totally changes our way of life. Not just for Damian, but for me as his mom as well. Damian can go to bed with the peace to know it’s ok to close your eyes because mom’s got you.”

“He makes it look easy because he’s our brave T1D superhero and he’s also a superhero fundraiser.” Paola added. Not only does Damian have his own walk team, but he also sells stickers and created a stuffed animal named Sharkabetes that’s being sold online—every Sharkabetes sale nets $5 for Breakthrough T1D.

“Walking for Breakthrough T1D is one of my favorite things to do,” Damian said. “When I found out how much money we raised this year, I just couldn’t believe it. We can all be superheroes!”

Numerous other inspiring vignettes introduced audiences to Breakthrough T1D advocates and volunteers, and even a father who set and accomplished a mind-blowing goal for his Walk this year.Michael Ehrlich Poses for a photo with a supporter during his 2020 One Walk.

“My Breakthrough T1D Walk was a really, really ridiculously long walk from Manhattan to Orient Point 115 miles to the East on Long Island,” said Michael Ehrlich, whose 16 year-old daughter Rachael lives with T1D.

Not only did Ehrlich walk the 115 miles, but he did it within a continuous 55 hour time frame.

“Often in the dark, and in the rain, sleeping literally only 1 hour in total,” Ehrlich added.

ICYMI, Watch the Full Event!

Watch the full recorded broadcast ceremony below to hear more about the T1D Champions mentioned above, as well as others! Watch through to the end as you may see some video submitted by Walk participants from your hometown!

We Will Keep Going—Join Us!

Cass Freeland of Columbus, Ohio, knows how to connect with policy makers.

“People of power remember your personal stories,” she said. “Advocacy is about relationships, telling stories and coming together for group action.”

Freeland, whose son has type 1 diabetes, speaks from experience. She’s a former lobbyist who has worked for organizations such as the Ohio Education Association.

Cass Freeland and Rep. Joyce Beatty
Cass Freeland with U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty

Given her professional background, it came as no surprise that Freeland, who started volunteering for Breakthrough T1D shortly after her son was diagnosed in 2016, was tapped to head up the Central Ohio Chapter’s advocacy efforts.

Today, Cass Freeland leads the Central Ohio Chapter’s advocacy efforts, including organizing the Promise Meetings. She has visited Capitol Hill twice to advocate on behalf of Breakthrough T1D.

“People living with T1D have great tools that make managing their T1D much easier,” Freeland said. “How did we get those things? Yes, because of research and development, but also because families and people living with T1D demanded them.”

Cass Freeland and Rep. Steve Stivers
Cass Freeland with U.S. Representative Steve Stivers

During Freeland’s visits to DC, she has met with several Members of Congress—including U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3rd) and Steve Stivers (R-OH-15th)—to advocate for continued Federal research funding for T1D, and legislation and policies that support affordability, choice, and coverage of T1D management tools.

“These Members are willing to consider and support my asks on the spot because they remember that I had previously come to see them with my son and other advocates,” she said. 

She also secured meetings with three of four Northeast Ohio congressional offices. All signed a letter supporting funding for the Special Diabetes Program.

“This is a way for me to use my skills to give back,” she said.

Learn more about our advocacy agenda and find out how you can become a Breakthrough T1D advocate! 

Each year, Bunny Kasper of Hamden, Connecticut, bakes at least a dozen different kinds of fudge, up to three varieties of a muddy-buddy trail mix affectionately called “bike crack,” and other tasty treats to revive weary bike riders participating in the Breakthrough T1D Ride.

Her culinary skills are legendary within the Breakthrough T1D community and have garnered quite the following. Rightly so—she is a self-taught former professional cake baker and decorator whose work impressed none other than Julia Child.

But Kasper’s service to Breakthrough T1D and support of the T1D community began well before she picked up her spatula to bake for the Rides 10 years ago.

Bunny Kasper
Bunny Kasper

“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in my 60s, but I’d never heard of Breakthrough T1D because when I was diagnosed, people still thought of type 1 as a disease that affects children,” Kasper said. “It wasn’t until years later when my grandson, Jake, was diagnosed and my son became involved with Breakthrough T1D that I was suddenly finding myself going to walks for Jake and getting very involved in whatever my son and his family were doing with Breakthrough T1D.”

Kasper had been a long-time member of the board of directors of the Jewish Senior Services in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she had started a program of peer support that received national acclaim. When she started participating in Breakthrough T1D activities for her grandson, Breakthrough T1D leaders reached out right away.

“I got a phone call asking if I would like to be on the Breakthrough T1D board to start similar programs for the diabetes community,” said Kasper, who has two grandsons—now young adults—who have been diagnosed with T1D. “I could never say no to Breakthrough T1D about anything because of my grandchildren.”

Kasper became Breakthrough T1D’s outreach chair and started a support group in New Haven for parents of T1D children. While the parents held meetings, the children had a playgroup. She also started a mentoring program and an annual walk team exclusively for newly diagnosed families.

But for Kasper, a particular point of pride is the support group she started for adults with T1D—a community, that she says, is desperate for connection.

“One of the folks in the group is a representative for a company that produces insulin pumps,” Kasper said. “She came up to me and thanked me for starting this group. It allowed her to be part of a community where she wasn’t the one teaching about T1D or supporting others with T1D, but where instead, she could feel connected and get support for herself as an adult with T1D.”

Kasper jokes that helping adults with T1D—particularly senior citizens—is her “WIG” and she’s proud to say that she wears it daily.

“WIG being ‘wildly important goal,’” Kasper said, crediting the term to a speaker she once heard at a conference. “It’s so important to educate the T1D community and get the word out to make sure that these people [adults and seniors with T1D]—who are a majority of the type 1s—understand the disease and are being cared for appropriately.”

“More people need to understand that this disease is not just a difficult disease to live with,” said Kasper. “But it’s difficult to get the right help for it so that you GET to live with it.”

Paul “The Ultimate” Vaden, President of the Board of Directors of the Breakthrough T1D San Diego Chapter, doesn’t have type 1 diabetes (T1D). Neither does his child, nor do any of his relatives. But after attending a Breakthrough T1D Gala in 2004, he made T1D his personal fight.

The retired professional boxer and World Boxing Champion, motivational speaker and author has put his “heart of gold” and champion mentality toward driving Breakthrough T1D to new levels of excellence.

“There are moments in your life when challenges beat you down, and you have a minute to make a decision,” said Vaden, whose memoir Answer the Bell: Inventing Your Life as Champion, reflects his philosophy of never giving up. “Answering the Bell is getting up in the face of life’s challenges when that bell rings.”

A native of San Diego, Vaden has been actively involved with Breakthrough T1D since 2004. He has devoted countless hours to the Breakthrough T1D Walk in San Diego, played an integral role in the San Diego Chapter Gala, and has been a role model for advocacy. 

In 2018, Vaden became President of the Board of Directors of Breakthrough T1D’s San Diego Chapter (now a part of the Southern California Chapter) after having served for four years as a member of the board.

Under Vaden’s leadership, the San Diego Chapter saw one of its best financial years, raising more than $3 million and exceeding the budgeted goal by 20%.

“The fact that he does not have T1D nor does he have a child or relative with the disease speaks volumes about who he is as a person and as a leader,” said Sean McParland, Executive Director of Breakthrough T1D’s Pacific Northwest Chapter.

While Vaden’s nickname “The Ultimate” originated with his boxing career, it is a title that continues to describe him as an individual and as a leader. There is nothing, it seems, he cannot do.Paul Vaden

With his celebrity status, Vaden forges authentic, long-lasting relationships, gains personal meetings with Congress and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for type 1 diabetes research. And his efforts are not limited to the San Diego Chapter. He has also been heavily involved in fundraising for the Breakthrough T1D New Mexico Chapter.

“It was April 2017 and they invited me to come to their Gala,” Vaden said. “I said, ‘T1D takes place in New Mexico, too—my fight is for everyone.’”

“I came and spoke at events all weekend long. I donated ‘A Day with the Champion’ for the live auction,” Vaden said. “But the most important thing, and my main message, is that what takes place when we leave the room—when these events are over—the work continues.”

“When I met Paul, it was clear that he could be a champion in the fight against type 1 diabetes,” said Steve Altman, former president and vice chairman of Qualcomm, Inc., who has several family members—including two of his three children—with T1D. “He graciously accepted my invitation to the Breakthrough T1D Gala where he met my family and others impacted by the disease. That was 2004 and he has been answering the bell ever since. Paul’s commitment to the cause is second to none.”

In recognition of his unwavering commitment to Breakthrough T1D, Vaden received the 2019 Erwin Lurie Award. The award is presented annually to chapter volunteers whose commitment to the volunteer/staff partnership has significantly advanced the mission and strategic priorities of Breakthrough T1D.

“From childhood to now, I have been blessed to have individuals come into my life who were willing and able to help me navigate the obstacles in my path, so I always had an opportunity to reach the end zone,” Vaden said. “I view it as my responsibility, privilege and honor to do exactly the same for others.”