As we look back on the past year across Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, one thing is clear: this was a year defined by people. People who showed up. People who shared their stories. People who believed deeply in what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared mission.
From winter kickoffs to fall finish lines, every season brought moments of connection, advocacy, celebration, and hope. Together, we continued pushing toward a future without type 1 diabetes — and we did it side by side.
Winter: Building Energy and Leadership
The year began with momentum and intention. Winter months focused on engagement, creativity, and leadership development — setting a strong
foundation for the year ahead.
We kicked things off with Hoops for Heroes at York College and welcomed a new cohort of leaders during our first-ever Western PA Youth Ambassador kickoff in Pittsburgh. Kids and families brought creativity and heart to Kids Create events in both Central PA and Pittsburgh, reminding us that advocacy and storytelling can take many forms — including paint, imagination, and joy.
We were also honored to see Greater PA & WV recognized as a finalist for the GBU Life Foundation Community Award, a moment that reflected the collective effort happening across our region.
Spring: Advocacy, Learning, and Celebration
As spring arrived, our work expanded into education, research, and advocacy. Community Summits in Pittsburgh and Central PA brought families together to learn, connect, and feel less alone in their T1D journeys. Our Annual Research Update in Pittsburgh highlighted the progress being made
— and the promise still ahead.
Spring also meant stepping into advocacy spaces. Staff and board members gathered in Harrisburg for a breakfast with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Diabetes Caucus, reinforcing our commitment to advancing policies that support people living with type 1 diabetes.
And of course, gala season arrived — with unforgettable events in Pittsburgh and Central PA. These evenings weren’t just celebrations; they were powerful reminders of what generosity and community can accomplish when united by a shared purpose.
Summer: Showing Up Everywhere
Summer brought connection in all directions. Friends and Family Picnics popped up across Pennsylvania and West Virginia — from Pittsburgh to Charleston, Moundsville to Erie — creating space for laughter, shared stories, and community-building.
We cheered on participants at the Pittsburgh Marathon, gathered supporters at the Summer Golf Classic, and celebrated riders during the Friends and Family Fun Ride. On a national stage, Caremy, Khloe, and Abbey represented Greater PA & WV at Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C., bravely advocating for the T1D community.
This season also brought moments of visibility and representation, including the national launch of Barbie with T1D — a reminder that seeing yourself reflected matters, especially for kids growing up with this disease.
Fall: Big Moments, Shared Impact
Fall was full of milestones. Walk season brought thousands together at Acrisure Stadium for the Pittsburgh Walk and in Harrisburg for the Central PA Walk — transforming those spaces into powerful displays of hope and determination.
Across the region, volunteers visited Marshalls stores to say thank you for their ongoing support, reinforcing the importance of partnership. We gathered again at the West Virginia Community Summit and cheered on charity runners in the Chicago and New York City Marathons.
November marked National Diabetes Awareness Month, as our community joined the #SeeT1D movement — sharing stories, raising awareness, and making the invisible visible.
Looking Ahead
As the year closed, we focused on what’s next — pushing registration for upcoming Walks in Erie and Morgantown, welcoming Dan Hopkins to the Western PA & WV Board as Advocacy Chair, and celebrating milestones both big and small along the way.
This year was filled with progress, perseverance, and people showing up for one another. To every volunteer, donor, family, advocate, and supporter: thank you. Your belief in the mission of Breakthrough T1D continues to move us forward — and we can’t wait to see what the next year brings.