Breakthrough T1D Grand Rapids Gala 2027

About

The lights are bright, the cards are dealt, and the stakes have never been higher!

Join us for the 2027 Breakthrough T1D Grand Rapids Gala on Friday, April 30, at the stunning JW Marriott, where this year’s Old Vegas/Casino theme will transport guests to the glitz, glamour, and excitement of the Las Vegas Strip’s golden era. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a night of high-energy entertainment, timeless elegance, and unforgettable impact.

Step into a world of vintage Vegas sophistication featuring a premium open bar, elevated stationed and passed hors d’oeuvres, and signature cocktails worthy of the Rat Pack. Guests can test their luck throughout the evening with interactive casino-style experiences, crowd-favorite games, and exciting opportunities to win big while giving back.

As the evening unfolds, guests will make their way into the ballroom for a plated dinner and an inspiring program filled with powerful stories of hope, resilience, and progress in the fight against T1D. The night will also feature an exclusive live auction with premier packages and meaningful opportunities to support Breakthrough T1D’s mission to accelerate life-changing research and create a world without T1D.

Because when it comes to funding a cure, we’re all in — and every bet placed, every card played, and every dollar raised brings us closer to a future without type 1 diabetes.

But when the final hand is played and the mission is celebrated, the party is far from over. The casino energy continues with live music, dancing, and a late-night celebration that captures the magic and excitement of classic Vegas.

So polish your poker face, dress to impress, and join us for an evening where every spin, shuffle, and roll helps change lives. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but being all in for a cure? That impact lasts forever.

• Event Leadership
• Event Details
• Venue

Jump to

• Greemann Award Honorees
• Fund A Cure Family
• Event Committee

Greemann Award Honorees

Honorees Nader Kasim, MD

Nader Kasim, MD

Honorees

Dr. Nader Kasim is a pediatric endocrinologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Living with type 1 diabetes himself, he brings both a personal and clinical perspective to his work with children and families. He serves as medical director of the American Diabetes Association’s Camp Midicha, is a member of the ADA’s National Medical Advisory Committee for Diabetes Camps, and serves on the board of the Breakthrough T1D West & Northern Michigan Chapter. He also directs the Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes Screening Clinic at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and participates in clinical research focused on advancing diabetes care.

Dr. Nader Kasim

Fund A Cure Family

Megan Taylor

Event Committee

Ben Greemann

Becky Barnes

Gary Grahs

Sean Lockwood

Sarah Timmer

Melissa Miller

Dr. Nader Kasim

Stacie Winker Wiltzer

Matt Overway

Lorna Meinke

Shelby Cutler

Taijah Claybrook

Audra Nelson

Jump to

• Auctioneer & Emcee
• Evening Entertainment

Auctioneer & Emcee

Auctioneer Carrie Hessney

Carrie Hessney

Auctioneer

Carrie is a full-time professional benefit auctioneer with Hessney Auction Co. in the Finger Lakes region of New York, specializing in fundraising auctions throughout NYS and beyond. She is the 2023 NYS Auctioneer of the Year and the 2024 International Auctioneer champion 1st runner up. Her commitment to fostering positive change within her community strengthens her belief in the power of auctioning to make a difference!

Evening Entertainment

JW Marriott

235 Louis Street Northwest

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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