The 35th annual Hope Gala organized by the JDRF Nevada Chapter raised more than $1.3 million at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Friday, May 10 to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications.

“We are grateful for the incredible support of community and business leaders here in Southern Nevada,” said Justin Micatrotto, Gala Chair and Board of Directors President-Elect for the JDRF Nevada Chapter. “The dollars raised at this year’s event will help lighten the burden on 1.25 million Americans with type 1 diabetes and help us realize our vision of a world without T1D.”

The Ellis Family – Gary, Cindy, Christina, Anamarie, and Michaela were named the honorees for the evening. The crowd participated in a silent auction and live auction, bidding on items including the UFC Ultimate VIP Experience, which sold for an impressive $51,000 and the 186th Oktoberfest Celebration in Germany which sold for $27,000. Guests also bid on the Ultimate Vegas Golden Knights Fan Collection which included a ride on a Zamboni during the intermission of a Vegas Golden Knights game next season, donated by the Law Office of Adam S. Kutner. The evening ended with the signature JDRF Fund A Cure, a staple of the JDRF Gala program. Guests raised their bid cards enthusiastically, knowing 100 percent of all tax-deductible contributions will fund research for JDRF’s most crucial research priorities.

More than 100 JDRF Galas take place each year in the United States, bringing together thousands of people who are inspired by JDRF’s mission. As a signature JDRF fundraising event, the JDRF Gala Program has raised over $1 billion for life-changing T1D research—research that has led to breakthrough discoveries, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. Although there has been considerable progress, there is so much more we have yet to accomplish.

The JDRF Nevada Chapter gratefully acknowledges its event partners: The Ellis Family, Palm Medical Group, Alan Morris & Pia Exber-Morris, The Nordling Family, Liquor Library, Bob & Suzanne Moon, Tito & Sandee Tiberti, Station Casinos, Bank of Nevada, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Taylor International Corp, The Mason Family, Stephanie Richter, Meadows Bank, Caesars Entertainment, Nevada State Bank, The Micatrotto Family, Remington Nevada, Roy & Lara DeGuzman, Otis Elevators, and Honda West.

“Thank you to The Ellis Family, gala event leadership including Justin Micatrotto, Jim Mason, Pia Exber-Morris, Stacey Rowland, Danielle Nakhle, Jan Farris, and Adriana Ruiz, and our dedicated volunteers for making this year’s gala such a success,” said Celia Wheeler, Executive Director of the JDRF Nevada Chapter. “Together, we will turn type one into type none. Thank you!”