October 29^th of this year is a big milestone for the Central Florida Chapter as we will be celebrating our 10^th Annual Imagine Gala!  In the past we have recognized people such as Maureen McArdle, previous Gala Committee Chair, and Mark and Jennifer O’Mara, 2015 Gala Honorees, who have been influential in making each Gala successful, however neither of these have a direct connection to T1D.  Both Maureen and the O’Maras have been greatly involved with the JDRF Gala because of their close relationship with Doug Neway and Caryn Green whose daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with T1D 11 years ago.  From such a shocking and life-changing event Doug and Caryn were motivated to organize the inaugural Central Florida JDRF Gala and begin working toward the cure.  So it only seems fit that they are our 2016 Imagine Gala Honorees on the 10^th anniversary of this great event!

In February of 2005, at only two years old, Taylor Neway went into what Doug and Caryn now know was a diabetic coma.  “We started this diagnosis in panic mode.  Eventually we transitioned into shock when we got the diagnosis and a bit of relief that the lifeless daughter we admitted to the hospital was returning to normal once her blood sugar was stabilized.  When they released Taylor from the hospital and we realized that we were her primary caregivers, a mixture of fear and resolve overtook us and those feelings remain with us today.”  Right after Taylor’s diagnosis Doug and Caryn knew they had to do something.  “Taylor’s endocrinologist used to inform us of the advances being made in finding a cure and he told us it could be found in Taylor’s lifetime if the research continued uninterrupted.”

But instead of just raising money for an already existing JDRF event Doug says Caryn saw an opportunity for something greater; “We understood the importance of needing the funds to continue the scientific studies and research being conducted, so when Caryn was running in the Chicago Marathon, she and Jennifer O’Mara decided to have an event at Jen’s house to raise some money.  In just a couple of weeks, we pulled together an event where about 100 guests drank donated wine, ate donated food and bid on donated items and we raised over $28,000.  That was the catalyst.  Caryn realized that with some planning and lead time, a bigger event would be a great way to reach more people, raise awareness in the Orlando community of this disease and bring in significant dollars to fund a cure.  So, adding a gala to the arsenal of fundraising options for JDRF seemed like a good idea.”  Under the continued motivation of Doug and Caryn the Gala has flourished from this first unofficial event to having over 500 attendees and raising over $557,000 at last year’s Gala.

“There is a mixture of emotions, but the most prominent would have to be gratitude and pride” is how Doug and Caryn expressed their feelings when reflecting on how much the Gala has grown over the past 10 years.  “Everyone knows that a successful event like the JDRF Gala can only happen when there is a collaboration of many people that are committed and focused.  That’s the secret of this event’s success.  The Gala committee, the volunteers and many donors are not just people who participate because it looks good on a resume or because it’s a civilized way to socialize.  No, this is a highly organized group of pissed off parents and friends of type 1 diabetics who want a cure now!  That goal motivates us and is the main reason why the JDRF Gala will always be a success.  Being a part of that energy and seeing the kindness and generosity of all the people who attend year after year has been a wonderful by-product of a terrible diagnosis.”

When asked what their favorite part of the Gala is each year Doug and Caryn answered: “It is always an emotional night for us seeing how kind, loving and generous our friends are and to have them support this cause year after year overwhelms us.  And it’s not just our friends that impress us; it’s everyone in that ballroom on that evening.  We really think the JDRF Gala represents the best of what Orlando strives to be.”  And for Taylor she “really appreciates all the community support, but getting dressed up and enjoying the dancing at the end of the night is her highlight!”

The Central Florida Chapter is so thankful for all that Doug and Caryn have done to get us to this 10^th Imagine Gala.  As a couple and as a family they represent JDRF well and we’re grateful for the role we get to play in their lives as well as the lives of all those affected by T1D.  “JDRF is a reminder that we are not alone is this fight.  Since the early days of Taylor’s diagnosis, they have been our safety net as well as our beacon of hope.  We can’t imagine what it would be like to go through this disease without their day to day support and their ongoing efforts to find a cure.”

We hope that you can join us for this special night.  As we reflect on far we’ve come and look ahead at the goal before us our 10^th Annual Imagine Gala promises to be a wildly successful event!

To see how you can get involved or to help fund the cure click the link below:

JDRF Imagine Gala