Breakthrough T1D Gala Returns to San Francisco City Hall for 27th Year

Breakthrough T1D will stage its 27th San Francisco Gala, titled "A Magical Night Beneath the Cherry Blossoms," at San Francisco City Hall on February 28, 2026, beginning at 6:00 pm Pacific Time. The evening, presented by Sutter Health, takes place beneath the dome of the Beaux-Arts building at 1 Doctor Carlton B Goodlett Place and is billed as a signature fundraiser for the type 1 diabetes community.

The gala will honor Sandra & Alan Silvestri as recipients of the 2026 Impact Award and will feature Fund A Cure speakers Abby Hitchcock and Brian Colmery. "NBC Bay Area’s Bob Redell will serve as the master of ceremonies for this special occasion." The event’s honorees and speakers are central to the program the organizer has described for the night.

Organizers are promoting a full evening of activity: "Join us for a cocktail party, a gourmet dinner, the presentation of the Impact Award, a super silent auction, an extraordinary live auction, an inspirational Fund A Cure program, and dancing to live entertainment!" The Breakthrough T1D Instagram account teased a "Breakthrough T1D 2026 San Francisco Gala Live Auction Preview! The Gala is happening on February 28 at San Francisco City Hall," signaling an active social-media push for auction items that will drive fundraising during the event.

Breakthrough T1D lists multiple sponsor categories for the gala and identifies Sutter Health as the presenting sponsor. The event page highlights sponsor designations including Presenting Sponsor, Bronze Sponsors, Table Patron Sponsors, Bid Paddle Sponsor, Specialty Cocktail Sponsor, Bar Sponsor, Menu Sponsor, Design Sponsor, and Media Partners, though individual sponsor names beyond Sutter Health were not listed in the event excerpt.

The gala is positioned to convene social and business leaders from across Northern California and to "bring the T1D community together" for fundraising and awareness. The organization states its mission plainly: "Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is dedicated to improving lives by accelerating breakthroughs to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure type 1 diabetes." The event page also encourages supporters to "Donate to Fund A Cure in honor of Sandra & Alan Silvestri," linking the evening’s honorees directly to the fundraising appeal.

Breakthrough T1D offers archival material from prior years on its site, noting "View photos from the 2025 San Francisco Hope Gala!" While ticketing details, attendance expectations, auction item lists, and fundraising goals were not published in the provided event excerpt, the organization’s February 28 gala at City Hall will serve as a focal point for local fundraising and community visibility for type 1 diabetes research and support.