Breakthrough T1D Capital Region Gala 2024

Honoree

2024 Capital Region Gala Honoree Jeffrey M. Levy

Jeffrey M. Levy

2024 Capital Region Gala Honoree

CHIEF BANKING OFFICER

Community Bank N.A.

Jeffrey M. Levy joined Community Bank in 2018 as Regional Executive to establish Community Bank’s presence in the Capital Region of NYS.  He was promoted to President of Commercial Banking in December of 2021, and was appointed Chief Banking Officer in January of this year overseeing all banking operations.  Prior to joining Community Bank, he served in regional and executive leadership roles with NBT Bank for 11 years, and prior to that with M & T Bank for 20 years.

Mr. Levy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta and an MBA in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Gala Corporate Committee

Gala Corporate Chair Richard A. Rosen

Richard A. Rosen

Gala Corporate Chair

If you would like to make a donation towards Fund A Cure, in honor of Rich Rosen, click here.

Gala Procurement Committee

Gala Co-Chairs Laura J. Caponera & Mallory Massry

Fund A Cure Families

Fund A Cure Family Tracy & Randy Lewis

Tracy & Randy Lewis

Fund A Cure Family

Tracy & Randy Lewis know all to well the fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm that comes with a Type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis. When Randy–a healthy, athletic football coach, was diagnosed at age 35, they “had no clue what this diagnosis meant or how it would affect the rest of our lives.” But Randy’s diagnosis was only the beginning.

Their youngest child unexpectedly learned they had T1D at 20 years old when she went to get pre-op blood work. Their son, Eric, developed T1D just as he was adjusting to life with a newborn baby. And recently, their 3-year-old granddaughter, Sunniva, tested positive for a bio-marker that indicates she is likely to develop T1D during her lifetime.

But the Lewis family believe in the mission of Breakthrough T1D and have directly benefited from Breakthrough T1D-funded advances such as continuous glucose monitors (CMGs) and Tzield, the first disease-modifying therapy for those at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

If you would like to make a donation towards Fund A Cure, in honor of the Lewis Family, click here.

Fund A Cure Family Jason O'Malley

Jason O'Malley

Fund A Cure Family

I am humbled to serve on the committee for this year’s Breakthrough T1D Capital Region Gala (formerly the JDRF One Hope Ball) to raise critical funds needed for vital research and support of our local type 1 diabetes (T1D) community.

Both my wife and daughter live with T1D so the weight of managing this chronic disease is quite familiar and personal to me and my family. While insulin therapy keeps people with T1D alive, it is not a cure, nor does it prevent the possibility of serious complications. The emotional, mental, and financial burden on those who live with T1D and their families is profound.

Anthem, as well as my family, supports Breakthrough T1D because they focus on what the T1D community needs now and next. No organization does more to improve everyday life with T1D- from driving millions of dollars of global investment in therapy development and access, to advancing research, advocacy, and community support. Breakthrough T1D recognizes the importance of supporting the T1D community through the mental and emotional challenges of the disease, and they provide resources to those living with T1D- whether they were diagnosed yesterday, or 20 years ago.

If you would like to make a donation towards Fund A Cure, in honor of Jason O’Malley, click here.

Fund A Cure Family The Hover Family

The Hover Family

Fund A Cure Family

If you would like to make a donation towards Fund A Cure, in honor of the Hover Family, click here.

Fund A Cure is an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of people living with T1D and their loved ones through a 100% tax-deductible donation, which will accelerate life-changing breakthroughs in T1D research. Each year, we highlight a person or family in our gala ballroom who motivates our work toward a world without T1D. This year, our Fund A Cure family is Tracy & Randy Lewis and previously was The Hover Family. 

Fund A Cure donations will be invested in Breakthrough T1D and its mission to cure, prevent, and better treat type 1 diabetes and its complications.

What to Expect

Cocktail Attire

6:00 p.m.         Registration, Cocktail Hour, Silent Auction

7:00 p.m.         Dinner served, program begins

7:20 p.m.         Evening Program, Live Auction and Fund A Cure

9:30 p.m.         Dessert & Dancing

Parking & Directions

Glen Sanders Mansion is located at 1 Glen Ave, Scotia NY 12302

Free self-parking. After parking, you will go through the main entrance of the Mansion and be greeted by Breakthrough T1D volunteers welcoming you to the event, getting you checked in, and joining us for cocktail hour.

Guest Names
This is a ticketless event, so please make sure that Breakthrough T1D has all of your guests’ names and contact information on file. If we do not already have your guests’ information, they can provide it at guest check-in. If there’s been a change in who’s attending with you, please let us know as soon as possible!

**Providing mailing address, email addresses and cell phone numbers with names will help expedite your guests’ check-in experience. This helps with auction check out preparation, post event thank you letters and more. Thanks for your assistance in advance!

Silent Auction & Online Bidding

We will have an exquisite Silent Auction on display for you, with items like designer accessories, unforgettable experiences, golf foursomes, and much more!

Important Note: Do not register yourself as a Remote Bidder! You will be assigned a bidder number & receive your own Online Bidding link. As an attendee at the Gala, you will receive a text and/or email with your unique Online Bidding link. If we did not receive your phone number or email prior to the event, you will receive it once you check-in on Friday. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at UpstateNY@BreakthroughT1D.org.

Live Auction

Are you looking for a relaxing resort getaway? Aruba or Cabo san Lucas, perhaps?!  Or, maybe you’d like to crack open a bottle of 23-Year Pappy Van Winkle for the holidays! Or, how about a date night with an exclusive dinner, tickets to the Blake Shelton Friends & Heroes tour, & two rooms at the Renaissance Hotel in Albany, NY? These are just a few of the items in our live auction! Preview available now on mobile bidding!

Fund A Cure

An opportunity for you to fund innovative research and accelerate progress towards improving lives and finding cures. Funding opportunities during the evening’s program range from $25,000 to $250. When you hear the level at which you wish to make your gift to support T1D research, please raise your bid card until your bid number is called. All Fund A Cure gifts are 100% tax deductible.

Become A Remote Bidder

Important Note: If you are attending our event, please do not register as a Remote Bidder! You will be assigned a unique bidder number and receive a personal link to our Silent Auction.

To Become a Remote Bidder

Even if you won’t be in the ballroom on Friday, November 15th, you can still help us raise money and get some incredible items in the process!

Just click this link to visit our mobile bidding site: https://BreakthroughT1DAlbanyGala24.ggo.bid

Once on the site, click Get Started to register and start bidding!

The Silent Auction will open on 11/13/2024.

Live Auction Preview

Check out our exciting slate of Live Auction items, available only in the ballroom at the Gala!

Blake Shelton Live

Get ready for an unforgettable concert experience. This package includes 4 premium tickets to see Blake Shelton at the MVP Arena on Saturday, March 8th where you can hear hits like “God’s Country” and “Honey Bee.” Included is dinner for 4 before the show where “Every Time I Hear That Song” you’ll remember the great food and company. After the show, enjoy an overnight stay in 2 rooms at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel, ensuring you can “Relax” and enjoy “A Guy with a Girl” kind of night.

1 Week in Cabo

Experience a marvelous Mexican vacation at The Ridge at Playa Grande Resort & Spa. Located upon acres of private beach at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, this beautiful resort is within walking distance of downtown Cabo San Lucas shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and activities. You will enjoy a 1 week stay in an 850 sq ft suite, featuring a bedroom with king bed, 2 full baths, living room with a queen-size sofa sleeper, a modern kitchen and balcony. This package includes 2 roundtrip airline tickets out of Albany on Southwest Airlines.

An Evening with Angelo

Indulge in a delicious dinner in a unique setting, prepared by the man himself, Angelo Mazzone. Your taste buds and friends will thank you for this exclusive opportunity to have dinner for 10 prepared by Angelo in his state-of-the-art test kitchen in Clifton Park.

23-Year Pappy Van Winkle

Indulge in the epitome of whiskey craftsmanship in this coveted bottle of 23-year old Pappy Van Winkle. As rare as it is exceptional, this bottle has spent over two decades maturing in charred oak barrels. Secure your chance to own a piece of whiskey history and add this rare gem to your collection or gift to a connoisseur in your life a bottle that cannot be found in stores and is regarded as the best in the world!

Big Blue for Breakthroughs

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the thrill of NFL football from the best seats in the house when you and a friend watch the NY Giants take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1pm on Sunday, Nov 24th from MetLife Stadium. You’ll sit in section 113 on the 50 yard line, 6 rows up from the field and a VIP parking pass is included. Take your game day experience to the next level with your Coach%u2019s Club access that includes upscale food, beverages, and exclusive on-field access behind the Giants bench. Commemorate your great day when you get to go on the field after the game to take pictures. Touchdown!

Aruba Vacation

Escape to paradise with this luxurious 7 night stay at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino. Nestled on the southern coast of the picturesque island of Aruba, the resort offers guest the ultimate Caribbean vacation experience. This family-friendly oceanfront resort is located on beautiful Eagle Beach, voted one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. Relax by the resort pool, or find your spot on the shimmering white sands of the beach and marvel at the clear turquoise waters. Your suite sleeps 4 with 1 private bedroom with a king bed and a living room with a queen sleeper sofa.