Breakthrough T1D Wisconsin, One Night Gala 2025

Event Emcees

Appleton Emcee Otis Day

Otis Day

Appleton Emcee

Otis Day has been a longtime supporter of Breakthrough T1D and is excited to be part of the Breakthrough T1D Gala. Otis was diagnosed as a T1D in 1985, and his son Hudson was diagnosed in elementary school. Breakthrough T1D is thrilled to welcome him back this year.

Otis has spent a quarter of a century broadcasting live on NE Wisconsin radio waves. He is now live on 95.9 KISS FM as one of the hosts of KISS FM Mornings from 5 a.m. – 9 a.m. each weekday.

As an advocate for Breakthrough T1D Otis is thrilled to be invited back to host again this year. Otis says, “There is nothing in the world I am more passionate about in life than finding a cure for T1D, and that all starts with events like this.”

Milwaukee Emcee Erik Bilstad

Erik Bilstad

Milwaukee Emcee

Erik Bilstad, a national Edward R. Murrow award winning journalist, can be heard on Wis. Morning News every weekday morning on Newsradio 620 WTMJ in Milwaukee.

Erik has lived with T1D since he was 7 years old. When it comes to being insulin dependent, he has experienced it all! He has seen the technology improve dramatically over the years, and credits the research being done by Breakthrough T1D for making living with T1D so manageable.

Erik, his wife, and three children reside in Menomonee Falls. They love to travel to warm destinations, watch their kids play soccer/baseball/piano/etc. and take their dog Remi on long hikes.

Madison Emcee Diana Henry

Diana Henry

Madison Emcee

While not having a personal connection, Diana Henry’s passion for finding better treatments and a cure for T1D goes beyond emceeing the gala over the years. In addition to receiving the 2015 Volunteer of the Year award, Diana has been involved in the Ride to Cure since 2012.

In her full-time role, Diana is director of public relations at Market Crafters. She assists a variety of agency clients with marketing, communication, and public relations needs.

Before joining Market Crafters, Diana spent more than a decade behind the anchor desk as a television news journalist in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

During her broadcast news career, Diana won numerous awards. Those honors include Associated Press awards, regional Emmy, and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for a documentary for her one-hour documentary featuring Wisconsin volunteers’ stories as they helped those devastated by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Fund a Cure Families

Appleton Fund a Cure Family The Knapp Family

The Knapp Family

Appleton Fund a Cure Family

To learn more about the Knapp’s T1D journey, click here. 

Milwaukee Fund a Cure Family The Kaeppler Family

The Kaeppler Family

Milwaukee Fund a Cure Family

To learn more about the Kaeppler’s T1D journey, click here. 

Madison Fund a Cure Family The Adams Family

The Adams Family

Madison Fund a Cure Family

To learn more about the Adams Family’s T1D journey, click here.

Honorees

Appleton Honoree Miron Construction

Miron Construction

Appleton Honoree

To learn more about Miron Construction, click here.

Madison Honoree The Sheahan Family

The Sheahan Family

Madison Honoree

To learn more about the Sheahan Family’s journey with T1D, click here.

Milwaukee Honoree The Frederick Family

The Frederick Family

Milwaukee Honoree

To read more about the Frederick family, click here.

Appleton

Appleton

Venue:

Hilton Appleton Paper Valley

333 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911

Honoree:

Miron Construction

Fund a Cure Family: 

The Knapp Family

Evening Highlights: 

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00pm – Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30pm – Dinner

Menu

Deluxe House Salad – Topped with Toasted Pecans and Tomato Vinaigrette

6 oz. Filet with Mushroom Demi – Served with Pan Seared Scallops with Saffron Bearnaise Sauce, Wild Ride Pilaf, and Charred Baby Carrots (Gluten Free)

Grilled Zucchini Napolean (Vegan/Veg Option)

7:15pm – Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow.

Entertainment:

The Cougars 

Hotel Block: 

To reserve a room, please call In-house Reservations at 920-733-8000 or Hilton Central Reservations at 800-774-1500 and mention the Breakthrough T1D Wisconsin Gala block of rooms.

*Please note that the reservation deadline is January 29, 2025

Madison

Madison

Venue:

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

1 John Nolen Drive Madison, WI 53703

Honoree:

The Sheahan Family

Fund a Cure Family: 

The Adams Family

Evening Highlights: 

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00pm –  Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30pm –  Dinner

Menu

Green Peppercorn Sirloin – Broiled Sirloin Steak, Creamy Peppercorn Brandy Sauce, Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (Gluten Free)

Truffle Butter Chicken – Roasted Airline Chicken Breast, Truffle Butter, Yukon Gold Potato Wedges, Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (Gluten Free)

Champagne Tilapia – Broiled Tilapia Fillet, Champagne Mushroom Sauce, Lemon Rice Pilaf, Green Beans and Confetti Peppers, Lemon Garnish (Gluten Free)

Sweet Potato & Coconut Curry – Curried Chickpeas, Onions, Red Pepper, Cilantro with Jasmine Rice, Green Beans with Confetti Peppers (Gluten Free, Vegan)

7:15pm –  Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow.

Entertainment:

WheelHouse – Official Home of WheelHouse

Hotel Block: 

Guests can reserve a room from our block of rooms at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace. To reserve a room online, click here.

Guests can also call Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667 or call the hotel directly 608-255-5100 and reference the group code: 926

*Please note that the reservation deadline is January 29, 2025

Milwaukee

Milwaukee

Venue:

Italian Community Center

631 E. Chicago Street Milwaukee, WI 53202

Honoree:

The Frederick Family 

Fund a Cure Family:

The Kaeppler Family

Evening Highlights: 

Silent Auction | Limited Exclusive Live Auction | Special Drawing | Fund A Cure

Schedule:

5:00pm –  Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

6:30pm –  Dinner

Menu

Mista Salad – Mixed greens, fennel, cherry tomatoes, carrots, red onion, radish, cucumber with Balsamic vinaigrette (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Seared Sea Scallops and Braised Short Ribs – Served with Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Broccolini and Red Wine Butter Sauce (Gluten Free)

Polenta – Soft polenta with stewed tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms and arugula salad (Vegan/Veg. Option)

Kids: Crispy Chicken Tenders – Served with French fries and Ranch Dressing (Gluten Free)

7:15pm – Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure & Entertainment to follow.

Entertainment:

The Potentials – https://www.potentialsband.com/

Hotel Block:

The Kimpton Journeyman Hotel

310 E Chicago St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 291-3970

Single King & Double Queen Rooms available, $179/night

Booking Link – Room block held until February 7, 2025