Fund A Cure with the Monsen Family | Breakthrough T1D Utah Gala 2026
UT
About
When Reese was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just six years old, our world changed in an instant. While we were still in the hospital trying to process what life would look like, a teenage girl walked into Reese’s room. She was about the same age Reese is today.
She sat beside Reese, showed her that she wasn’t alone, and gave our family something we desperately needed that day: hope.
She shared that there were thousands of people living full, happy lives with Type 1 diabetes and that Breakthrough T1D was working every day to improve lives through research, advocacy, education, and the pursuit of a cure. In one simple visit, she transformed fear into possibility.
From that moment on, Breakthrough T1D became part of our family’s journey.
The last nine years have not been easy. Reese has endured countless finger sticks, insulin injections, pump and CGM changes, emergency room visits, sleepless nights, and the constant mental burden of making hundreds of decisions every day just to stay alive. Diabetes doesn’t take a break. It has interrupted birthday parties, school dances, vacations, family gatherings, sporting events, sleepovers, and holidays. There have been times she has had to sit on the sidelines or leave early because her blood sugar wouldn’t cooperate. Yet through it all, she has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and determination. She refuses to let diabetes define her or limit what she can accomplish.
Over the past nine years, our family has participated in walks, gala events, golf tournaments, lemonade stands, advocacy efforts, community events, and countless fundraising opportunities to help move research forward. We have been humbled by the generosity of our family, friends, coworkers, and community, whose support has allowed us to become the highest fundraising family for diabetes research in our chapter’s history.
One of the greatest blessings has been watching Reese grow into a leader and advocate for others living with Type 1 diabetes. She had the incredible honor of representing Utah in Washington, D.C., as a Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress Youth Ambassador, where she met with lawmakers to advocate for continued funding for Type 1 diabetes research. More importantly, she found lifelong friendships with other children who truly understand her journey.
Reese has a special gift for connecting with younger children who are newly diagnosed. She continues to mentor and encourage kids both here in Utah and across the country. One of those friendships began through Children’s Congress with a 5 year old boy named Landon from California. Their bond has become so strong that his family is traveling to Utah so the two can spend time together in person—a testament to the lifelong connections this community creates.
Today, Reese is the same source of hope for newly diagnosed children that a teenage volunteer was for her all those years ago. She loves visiting with families, answering questions, sharing her experiences, and reminding young kids that while diabetes is part of their story, it does not define who they are. She shows them they can still pursue their passions, achieve their dreams, and live full, extraordinary lives.
While we are incredibly honored to be recognized, this recognition belongs to every person who has supported our journey. Every donation, every volunteer, every fundraiser, every researcher, and every family has helped create hope—not just for Reese, but for every child living with Type 1 diabetes.
We remain committed to Breakthrough T1D because we believe a cure is possible. Until that day comes, we will continue to advocate, mentor, fundraise, and stand alongside families who are beginning the same journey we started nearly a decade ago.