Single Largest T1D Fundraising Event in the U.S. to Date

CHICAGO, December 14, 2020 – In a world where nonprofits have been hard hit during the pandemic, the JDRF Illinois One Dream Gala-Close to Home set a new global record for the organization when it raised more than $8.5 million on Saturday night. This virtual event’s funds will accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications.

“The T1D community is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before” said Mimi K. Crabtree, Executive Director of JDRF Illinois. “This community understood that together, even from our homes, we could continue to make an impact for the millions living with T1D during a time when this community needed us the most.”

This special re-imagined virtual event was hosted by ABC7’s Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini and featured an intimate concert from Grammy nominated John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting, and JDRF’s President and CEO Aaron Kowalski joined for an inspiring message of hope. Approximately 1,000 households tuned in to collectively add to the vision of a world without T1D.

The Fund A Cure portion of the evening recognized a $2 million gift from Glen Tullman (7wireVentures) and anonymous $1 million donor, and over 15 gifts at more than $100,000.

“We owe this massive success to everyone who tuned in, the Gala Committee, chapter staff, volunteers and every donor who chose to not let T1D research funding be affected by a pandemic,” said Steve Dragich (Schiff Hardin LLP), Board President of JDRF Illinois. “We showed that together, even while apart, we will turn type one into type none.”

The virtual crowd participated in all the usual One Dream Gala activities – silent and live auctions, raffles, dinner catered by The Paramount Group which was delivered to homes, mission messages, and the signature JDRF Fund A Cure program. This year JDRF Illinois checked in with previous Fund A Cure families who shared their unique stories of life with T1D and guests raised their virtual bid cards enthusiastically, knowing 100 percent of all tax-deductible contributions will fund JDRF’s most crucial research priorities.

JDRF Illinois Chapter gratefully acknowledges its local and national corporate partners: Abbott, Aldridge Electric, Inc., Allscripts, CIBC, Insulet Corporation, Kemper, Land O’Frost, Launch!, and Livongo, now part of Teladoc Health.