This weekend, the Birmingham community will come together to take meaningful steps toward a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). On Sunday, November 2, Breakthrough T1D—formerly known as JDRF—will host its annual Breakthrough T1D Walk at Wald Park in Vestavia Hills, uniting families, friends, and supporters from across Alabama in the fight against T1D.

The family-friendly event kicks off with check-in, activities, water, and snacks at 2 p.m., followed by the Walk presentation, T1D Warrior recognition, and the walk itself at 3 p.m. Participants can look forward to games, inflatables, face painting, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others impacted by type 1 diabetes.

A highlight of the event will be the T1D Warrior Recognition, honoring individuals living with T1D who inspire their communities

through resilience and hope. One of those advocates is Matthew Hess, a high school senior who was diagnosed with T1D at age 8 and has now lived with the disease for nearly a decade.

“It’s truly inspiring to see hundreds of people show up and support a cause that, in some cases, may not directly affect them,” says Hess. “Yet, that doesn’t stop the strength and resilience of the Type 1 Diabetes community as we walk together toward a cure.”

There will also be special gifts for VIP walkers who have raised $500 or more and a New Families table to welcome first-time participants into the Breakthrough T1D community.

The Breakthrough T1D Walk is part of a national movement, with more than 120 events across the country helping to fund critical research, advocate for access and affordability, and provide support for those living with T1D. Ford Motor Company and SanMar proudly serve as National Series sponsors, fueling this mission through their continued leadership and community engagement.

Following the Birmingham event, the movement continues in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, November 9th, giving another Alabama community the opportunity to walk together toward a cure and raise funds for life-changing T1D research and support.

For both walks, participants are encouraged to register ahead of time at walk.breakthrought1d.org and plan to meet with their teams for a group photo before or after the walk.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the body can’t properly regulate blood sugar, leading to serious short- and long-term complications. Managing T1D requires constant monitoring, multiple daily injections or insulin pumps, and round-the-clock vigilance—making support, research, and community connection vital to those living with the disease.

For students like Matthew Hess, living with T1D has become not just a daily challenge, but a source of purpose and advocacy. “This event is an incredible opportunity to witness the power of our community and the impact Breakthrough T1D has in driving us closer to ending this disease,” Hess says.

Rain or shine, Birmingham will be walking for breakthroughs this weekend—and every step brings us closer to turning type one into type none.