Breakthrough T1D Southern California & Hawai’i October Newsletter

Gala

Los Angeles

Tickets are still available for One Night Under the Stars, the Los Angeles Gala on October 25th at the elegant Ahmanson Ballroom at the Skirball Cultural Center. You won’t want to miss this incredible evening!

Returning to the stage is the extraordinary Justin Willman, magician, comedian, and star of Netflix’s Magic for Humans, The Magic Prank Show, and his latest special, The Magic Lover.

Guiding us through the evening is Frank Buckley, KTLA Morning News Anchor and proud T1D dad, who will serve as Emcee as we come together to advance our mission: to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure type 1 diabetes.

Purchase your tickets before it’s too late!

For tickets, sponsorships, or to make a Fund A Cure donation, please visit our gala website.

For more information contact Tarah Kennedy.

Orange County

We’re thrilled to announce that the OC Gala will take place at the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort on March 14th, 2026! For more information, or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit our website here. If you are interested in joining our gala committee, or have any questions regarding the event, please reach out to Development Manager, Alex Hines.

San Diego

Save the Date: One Night to Remember at a Stunning New Beachfront Venue! ✨ We’re thrilled to announce that the 2026 San Diego Gala will be held at an exciting new location and we can’t wait to show it to you!

Save the Date:
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas

Mark your calendar for an unforgettable evening filled with purpose, celebration, and community, all in a breathtaking new space that sets the stage for our most impactful gala yet. Stay tuned for more details and sponsor/ticket information in the coming weeks.

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 registered, attended, and donated to Breakthrough T1D Walk, Santa Barbara! Together, we’ve already raised over $25,000 for T1D research—an incredible milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without this community.

A special thank you goes out to our lead community champions, Robyn Laguette and Team Jaimeson, for their dedication in planning and executing such a meaningful event. Your leadership helped create a day we’ll never forget.

But our work isn’t done yet—our fundraising goal is $40,000, and we encourage everyone to keep fundraising in the weeks ahead. Every dollar raised fuels research that brings us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Together, we are making a difference—and we can’t wait to see you at the next event!

The Breakthrough T1D Walk brings together thousands to support a brighter future for those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It’s a chance for individuals, families, businesses, and communities to make a real impact. Join us at one of our Southern California Walks—choose your location and register today!

San Diego Walk, Nov. 2^nd, at NTC Park at Liberty Station
- Register here. For any questions, contact Catrina Cooper.
Orange County Walk, Nov. 16^th, at Angel Stadium
- Register here. For any questions, contact Lauren Christ.
Los Angeles Walk, March 21^st, 2026 at Pasadena Rose Bowl
- Register here. For any questions, contact Sue Pietrzak.

Encourage your friends and family to join your team for this fun, impactful event. Together, we are a force for change. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support. We can’t wait to walk with you!

Golf

Tee it Up for Type 1 Diabetes Golf Tournament SOLD OUT – Volunteers Needed!

Thanks to our incredible community, our inaugural San Diego Golf Tournament is officially SOLD OUT! We’re beyond grateful for the overwhelming support. We have a waitlist available if you would like to be notified of an open spot! And tickets to the post-golf reception are also available!

Now, we need your help behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly! Volunteering is a great way to be part of the action, connect with others, and support Breakthrough T1D in a meaningful way.

📅 Monday, October 20, 2025
📍 Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, Solana Beach
🕒 Various shifts available (morning, afternoon, all-day)
🎁 Volunteers receive lunch/snacks, event swag, community service hours, etc.

Interested? Email Jen Haber. Let’s tee up a successful day together!

Breakthrough T1D Ride

The Breakthrough T1D Ride is a premier cycling event that brings together riders of all skill levels to fund groundbreaking research for type 1 diabetes. With multiple destination rides across the country, participants pedal for a cure while experiencing scenic routes, expert coaching, and an incredible sense of community.

There is still time to join one of our remaining rides:

Santa Barbara, CA—October 18
- This is a My Ride option with riders from the Southern California Ride Team
Amelia Island, FL—December 4-7

Breakthrough T1D Community Summit

The Breakthrough T1D Community Summit is an educational and networking opportunity for all those impacted by type 1 diabetes (T1D). It 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. We look forward to having you join us! Registration is required.

Los Angeles
- November 2^nd, 8 a.m. at Pasadena Convention Center
- Register here.
- For more information, email Marcela Pallete.

Upcoming Chapter Events

In Person Events

Fall Fun with Rufus – Join us for Fall Fun with Rufus on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, 1 pm – 3 pm at the Rady Children’s Hospital Education Building located at 7960 Birmingham Drive. San Diego, CA 92123. 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! Please complete the below registration by October 1, 2025. RSVP for the Fall Fun with Rufus Here!
South Bay Parent Coffee Chat – Last 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.

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 2^nd Friday of the month, 12-1pm. Register here.
T1D Partner Support Group – Last Tuesday, every 3 months, 6-7pm. Register here.

Written by: rspidell