Breakthrough T1D San Diego and Hawai’i December Newsletter

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Happy Holidays from all of us at the Breakthrough T1D Southern California and Hawai’i! Sending you wishes of comfort and joy, from this year to the next.

Gala

For more than 26 years, the Breakthrough T1D San Diego Gala has been the region’s premier annual celebration—bringing together our community to honor the strength, courage, and perseverance of those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), while raising vital funds to fuel life-changing research.

This spring, we’re thrilled to take the Gala to North County for the first time! Join us at the stunning Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for an unforgettable evening chaired by Leslie Bercovitz and Tally Bercovitz.

Get ready for an elevated 80s-inspired experience, featuring:

  • A fabulous cocktail reception with live entertainment overlooking the Pacific
  • A curated silent and live auction with exclusive items
  • A gourmet seated dinner
  • An inspiring program and moving mission moments
  • Breakthrough T1D’s signature Fund A Cure program

Together, we can—and will—change the future of T1D.
We can’t stop believing in cures. We won’t stop believing.

Join our Gala Committee!
We’re assembling a powerhouse team and we need YOUR influence, passion, and connections to make it happen. 💫

If you:
✅ Love making a difference
✅ Have a strong network
✅ Enjoy planning unforgettable events

…we’d love to have you on our Gala Committee! This is your chance to help shape an extraordinary evening, open doors for major partnerships, and leave a lasting legacy. Email Jen Haber to get involved. Let’s create something unforgettable together.

Breakthrough T1D Walk

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Breakthrough T1D Walk in San Diego on November 2!
There’s Still Time to Earn Your V1P Rewards! 💙
Walk Team fundraising for V1P Club Incentives is still open, and you have until December 31 to earn and redeem your rewards. Year End Giving is the perfect moment to boost your fundraising and reach the next milestone — whether that’s the $500 V1P Club or the $1,000 V1P Champion Level.
It’s also a great time to check with your company to see if they match your donations: Matching Gifts – Breakthrough T1D
We’re so close to hitting our overall event goal… let’s cross that finish line together! 💪✨
We are excited to announce that we are in the process of planning Breakthrough T1D Walk, Temecula Valley, which will happen in the Spring of 2026. We are currently looking for volunteer to serve on our Walk Committee to help plan and support this fun day. If you are interested in joining, please contact Samantha Ecks Kearney.

Breakthrough T1D Endurance

Run

Big thanks to Breakthrough T1D Southern California Run participants!

December Runner Spotlight: Angel Rumbaoa | New York City Marathon

Angel runs and fundraises on behalf of his friends who live with T1D. In November, he raised $7,900 and successfully completed the New York City Marathon.

“Running began as a way to improve my health. Now, it’s a passion that keeps me grounded, driven, and always chasing the next goal.”

Ride

Thank you to everyone who participated in Breakthrough T1D Ride in 2025! We are so grateful to each and every one of you for your tremendous dedication and support. Ride locations for 2026 have been announced and can be viewed here, so save the date to join us in 2026!

For questions or more information about Breakthrough T1D Endurance opportunities, contact Judy Parra.

Breakthrough T1D Community Engagement

Breakthrough T1D Community Summits are an educational and networking opportunity for all those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). They will bring our community together to learn from T1D experts, hear about the latest breakthroughs in T1D research, meet vendor exhibitors, connect with others impacted by T1D, and more.

Save the Date! The San Diego Community Summit will take place on Saturday, May 16 at the Rady Education and Office Building. Registration details will be available soon!

As we look ahead to the New Year, we’re forming Community Engagement Committees across several regions. If you’re passionate about bringing people together, supporting event planning, or helping strengthen our healthcare partnerships, we’d be thrilled to have you involved!

Interested in learning more or raising your hand? We’d love to connect with you! Please reach out to Catrina Cooper.

Upcoming Chapter Events

In Person Events

  • South Bay Parent Coffee Chat – Third Wednesday, 6 pm at Starbucks inside the Chula Vista Shopping Center, (555 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910). Parents of kids with T1D and Adults with T1D are invited to join our volunteer host, Christina, and connect with our T1D Community. RSVP Here.
  • Winter Coffee Chat – Saturday, December 20, 8:30am-10am, at The Press Espresso in Temecula (29601 Old Town Front St). Warm up with us at a sweet spot to connect, share, and support one another in the T1D community. RSVP Here.
  • Warm Winter Walk – Saturday, December 20, 2pm-4pm at Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, HI (1201 Ala Moana Blvd). Let’s stroll, chat, and connect over T1D in a relaxed, welcoming moment. RSVP Here.

Virtual Events

Written by: rspidell