Breakthrough T1D Syracuse Gala Presented by KeyBank

Fund A Cure Family

Fund A Cure Family The Parisi Family

The Parisi Family

Fund A Cure Family

Samantha was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 11. We, like most families, had no idea of the warning signs of Type 1 Diabetes. Samantha was losing weight, fatigued, and always thirsty. Looking back, how didn’t we know? Also, like many families, we had no idea what this diagnosis would mean for Samantha, our family, or her future. She is the first in our family to be diagnosed.

The first 3 months were by far the hardest 3 months of our lives.  Samantha’s immune system was getting stronger, but she kept getting sick and was frustrated. We, as parents, felt helpless and hated that she had to keep pricking her body time and time again. We even pricked ourselves with the needles to see where it would hurt the least for her to inject herself with insulin. As a family who never paid attention to nutrition labels, we had a lot to learn about carb’s and how they interact with your body. I always carried measuring cups and a scale in my purse, for when we went out to eat.

Eventually, things turned around. In the next 3 months we were fully automated. She had her Dexcom and her Omnipod System. Samantha is amazingly independent and responsible and took over most of the controls around her dosing, with us there for support. Now she has started at her new school, is a top student, is on the golf team, and is a Youth Ambassador for Breakthrough T1D.  This experience has brought Samantha from being scared of everything to being an independent young woman who embraces change and looks at the bright side of things.

None of this would be possible for our family, or others, if there weren’t organizations out there doing research to find a cure or find ways to make having this disease easier. We are forever grateful to Breakthrough T1D for the resources they have provided and the relationships they have helped us build in the T1D community.

Watch Samantha’s story here:

https://f.io/WnPXQIHP

Auctioneer

Auctioneer Carrie Hessney

Carrie Hessney

Auctioneer

Carrie Hessney is a dynamic and accomplished professional auctioneer, specializing in fundraising events for non-profits across the Finger Lakes Region of New York and beyond. With a passion for helping organizations exceed their fundraising goals, Carrie has built a reputation as a trusted and energetic auctioneer.

In 2023, she was honored with the title of NYS Auctioneer of the Year and won the 2024 International Auctioneer Reserve Champion. Carrie’s commitment to excellence in her field is reflected in her graduation from the Certified Auctioneers Institute at Indiana University, where she earned the profession’s highest designation, solidifying her position among the industry’s top experts.

Carrie is dedicated to using her auctioneering skills to drive meaningful change within her community, believing strongly in the power of auctions to inspire generosity and impact. Her infectious energy, passion, and expertise ensure every event is a success, making her a go-to choice for fundraising endeavors across the country.

Event Details

Cocktail Attire ~ Black Tie Optional

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

7:15 p.m.     Guests may be seated and dinner service begins

7:30 p.m.     Heads or Tails Game

8:15 p.m.     Evening Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure

9:15 p.m.     Dessert & Coffee Service

9:30 p.m.     Live Band

Parking & Directions

The Marriott Downtown Syracuse is located at 100 East Onodaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. Valet is located at the main hotel entrance on East Onondaga Street. Self parking is located behind the hotel on Harrison Place. On-site Parking rates are Hourly: $7.00, Daily: $19.00

The Marriot is offering our guests parking validation.

When entering the parking garage, guests will receive a ticket, keep the ticket in your vehicle. Guests will receive a parking validation sticker at registration. Place the bar coded sticker on the front of the parking ticket you received when entering the garage. There is a place in the middle of the ticket to put the sticker that says “place sticker here.” When exiting the garage, they will put the parking ticket with the sticker through the machine and it will allow you to pass through. Please note that if the sticker is placed on the side that does not have the “place sticker here” area, it will not work.

Registration

Volunteers will be at the entrance greeting guests; to direct and answer any questions.

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 names, mailing address, email addresses, and cell phone numbers will help expedite your guests’ check-in experience. Additionally, pre-entering the credit card you’d like on file for any donations and auction wins will make check in time even more brief. This helps with auction check out preparation, post event thank you letters, and more. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Silent Auction

We have an exciting Silent Auction curated for you! It will be featured in our cocktail hour lounge. 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 Saturday.

Live Auction

Tops Friendly Markets Shopping Spree

Tops is giving you an opportunity to win a 3-minute shopping spree at one of your local Tops stores. How much can you win? It’s up to you!

Surfside Beach, SC Condo

Nice oceanfront 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has pool, elevator, parking and more. Great location half mile from new Surfside pier, restaurants, bars, and shops.

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.