By 2025, five million people are expected to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (also known at T1D), including a threefold increase of youth cases. Breakthrough T1D aims to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and better treat diabetes. Here, Michael Simoni, executive director of the Phoenix-based Desert West Chapter, discusses the nonprofit’s goals for 2025, how readers can help, and its upcoming Breakthrough T1D Walk at Mesa’s Sloan Park.
What prompted the start of the nonprofit? In May 1970, Lee Ducat, Carol and Erwin Lurie, and a group of parents whose children had type 1 diabetes (T1D) came together to form the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (now known internationally as Breakthrough T1D). This group of caring and committed parents believed that T1D could and would be cured through research. Since our founding, Breakthrough T1D has played a critical role in every major T1D milestone.
What is the greatest reward in being involved with the nonprofit? The greatest reward is being able to facilitate connections among adults and children living with T1D, and their loved ones, with others going through the same everyday struggles with the disease. Whether you are newly diagnosed, or living with T1D for many years, the support our T1D community provides one another here in Arizona is inspiring. Together we are opening doors that were once closed by T1D diagnosis.
What is the biggest challenge the nonprofit faces? As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. Our biggest challenge is raising awareness throughout Arizona to make sure people living with this disease know we are here and can provide resources, education, and opportunities both in-person and virtually for all those who need it. Additionally, we have created incredible breakthroughs over the past 55 years and need to continue raising critical funds to drive us towards T1D cures.
What are your goals for the remainder of 2025? We are always trying to raise funds to support our research initiatives and our goal for the remainder of this year is exceed our fundraising goals. In addition, we are striving to double our community partnerships to reach more people and to help us distribute our Bags of Hope to children, and our Care Packs to teens and adults living with T1D to help make their journey a little smoother.
How can readers help? Readers can help by getting involved and spreading awareness about type 1 diabetes and the resources Breakthrough T1D provides to the community. Visit BreakthroughT1D.org for resources and share on social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Does the foundation have any events or fundraisers on the horizon? Breakthrough T1D Walk, Arizona is coming up on April 26 at Sloan Park. This is an exciting event that brings over 5,000 community members together to help create a world without T1D. Individuals and companies can get involved through creating a team, sponsorship, or volunteering.