Happy New Year from all of us at the Breakthrough T1D Southern California and Hawaiʻi! We are looking forward to another incredible year of growth as we drive research to treat, prevent, and cure type 1 diabetes.
Gala
Get ready for a night to remember! Join us at the Breakthrough T1D San Diego Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the breathtaking Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas for our most exciting Gala yet – making its North County debut with an elevated 80s-inspired vibe.
Enjoy sunset cocktails overlooking the Pacific, a gourmet seated dinner, exclusive silent and live auctions, and inspiring mission moments – all leading up to an epic dance floor finale with live entertainment by BETAMAXX! Co-Chaired this year by Leslie Bercovitz and Tally Bercovitz, this is a party with purpose you won’t want to miss.
Whether you’re joining us on the dance floor or elevating your impact through sponsorship, your support fuels life-changing research and brings us closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes.
✨ Buy your tickets. Secure your sponsorship. Break out the neon.
Because together, we won’t stop believing in a cure.
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!
We’re so close to hitting our overall event goal and donation pages will remain open through the end of the month… 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
Ride
Join us for the Breakthrough T1D Ride, where every pedal stroke powers research, advocacy, and support to improve lives until we find a cure. This inspiring, high-energy event welcomes cyclists of all skill levels to raise T1D awareness and accelerate our journey to a world without T1D. We are excited to announce the 2026 Ride destinations!
- La Crosse, WI: August 13-16, 2026
- The Cascades, WA: August 27-30, 2026
- Cape Cod, MA: September 24-27, 2026Austin, TX:
- October 27-November 1, 2026
- Amelia Island, FL: December 3-6, 2026
- MY RIDE: Your Ride, Your Way, Your Day
Where will you ride? Save the date today!
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!
Upcoming Chapter Events
In Person Events
- South Bay Parent Coffee Chat – Wednesday, January 28, 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. This is a recurring event on the last Wednesday of every month. RSVP Here.
- Adult T1D Community Meet-Up – Saturday, January 24, 11am-12:30pm at Pannikin Coffee & Tea (510 N Coast Hwy 101). T1D parents, and T1D adults are invited to join our Breakthrough T1D Host, Samantha, and connect with our Adult T1D Community! This is for adults that either have T1D, or parents that have child or partner with T1D, or both! RSVP Here.
- Winter Fun with Rufus – Saturday, January 31, 9-11am at the Rady Children’s Specialists at Murrieta Medical Plaza (25170 Hancock Avenue). This is a family friendly event. There will be Winter themed crafts and activities, t-shirt decorating for Rufus, along with T1D resources and information! Bring your Rufus, or other medium sized stuffed bear, and join us to meet your Breakthrough T1D Community at Rady Children’s Hospital Education Building! Light snacks will be provided. RSVP Here.
- Growing Together: T1D Parent & Tot Playgroup – Saturday, February 7, 11am-12pm at Westfield UTC La Jolla – Playground (4353 La Jolla Village Drive). T1D parents, babies and toddlers are invited to join our Breakthrough T1D Host, Chelsee, and connect with our T1D Community to grow together! This is for parents that either have T1D, and have a baby or toddler, OR parents that have a baby or toddler with T1D, or both! This is a recurring event on the first Saturday of each month. RSVP Here.
- Spring Fun with Rufus – Saturday, March 14, 9-11am the Rady Children’s Hospital Education Building (7960 Birmingham Drive). This is a family friendly event. There will be fall themed crafts and activities, t-shirt decorating for Rufus, along with T1D resources and information! Bring your Rufus, or other medium sized stuffed bear, and join us to meet your Breakthrough T1D Community at Rady Children’s Hospital Education Building! Light snacks will be provided. RSVP Here.
Virtual Events
- Virtual Community Summit – Breakthrough T1D’s Community Summits offer virtual educational sessions four times a year, to help you and your loved ones live well with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Register here.
- E-Meet & Greets: Monthly Zoom Meetups – Rotating Wednesdays, 12pm.
- Reunión Virtual Para Adultos y Familias con Diabetes Tipo 1 en Español – Aprende más aquí.
- T1D Teen Connect Monthly Meetup – Third Wednesdays, 5-6pm. Register here.
- Ask the Therapist Monthly – Fourth Tuesdays, 12pm-1pm. Register here.
- Newly Diagnosed Ask the Endocrinologist – Third Wednesdays, 8-9am. Register here.
- T1D Dads Barbershop Talk – Every 3 months on the 2nd Friday of the month, 12-1pm. Register here.
- T1D Partner Support Group – Last Tuesday, every 3 months, 6-7pm. Register here.