Fund A Cure with Brandon Spillet | Breakthrough T1D Syracuse Gala 2026

Brandon's Story

My name is Brandon Spillett, and I am humbled and honored to be able to share my story with you all. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 16 years old, just over 25 yrs ago. It all started as I preparing for an upcoming test in health class. I remember going downstairs and telling my parents, “I think I have diabetes.” A few days later, that suspicion became reality. Like so many families, there was no easing into care, you needed insulin and you needed it right away. I passed the orange, vial, syringe, and saline test and was on my way with MDI. My first win was saying goodbye to the blurry vision and insatiable thirst I had been dealing with. Over the course of getting settled with my families’ new best friends, the TEAM at Joslin, there was a clear message, that diabetes may change the path forward, but it does not define your potential.

Sports have always been a huge part of who I am, and according to my diabetes TEAM it was also their goal to keep sports part of my life. I wrestled and played lacrosse in high school, went on to play college lacrosse at Le Moyne, competed professionally with the Rochester Rattlers, participated with Team USA in an exhibition box lacrosse game, and I still lace up my cleats for men’s tournaments today. Diabetes has been with me through every practice, every game-winning moment, and every tough loss. It has demanded accountability, discipline, preparation, and resilience — qualities that have shaped not only my athletic career but my professional life. It has molded who I am as a husband, father, son, teammate, coach and colleague. Managing T1D and sports is work. It’s daily. It’s relentless. But the two can exist side by side.

To the kids and families who are newly diagnosed: you are not alone, and this diagnosis does not close doors. You can still chase big goals. You can still compete. You can still do everything you love(now we just carry extra juice boxes and fruit snacks in our bag!). Diabetes care itself is a TEAM sport. It takes family, doctors, educators, nurses, coaches, friends, technology, and organizations like Breakthrough T1D all working towards the common goal. No athlete wins alone, and no one manages T1D alone either. When we surround ourselves with the right team, right attitude we don’t just live with diabetes — we thrive in spite of it. THANK YOU to my TEAM!