Together, we won’t stop until we find a cure

This December, we call on you to help us more than ever. I’m Professor Gavin Bewick, a researcher at King’s College London, and I am grateful to be funded by Breakthrough T1D, the only global charity dedicated to tackling type 1 diabetes.

Mark 40 years of progress

As we approach this Christmas, we reflect on the incredible journey that T1D research has taken over the past 40 years. The generosity of our supporters has been instrumental in advancing life-changing research and innovations that have improved the lives of countless individuals living with T1D.

Your donation could provide a breakthrough for children like Bethany

Diagnosed with T1D at just six years old, Bethany faced daily challenges and managing insulin injections was hard to navigate for her and her family at such a young age. However, thanks to advancements funded by people like you, Bethany now uses the hybrid closed-loop system (HCL) to help her enjoy school and video games!

Your contributions are making a real difference in the lives of children like Bethany, and we want to ensure that even more breakthroughs are possible in the future.

“I would be overjoyed if there was a cure for T1D in my lifetime!” – Bethany

Bethany, aged 10, who lives with T1D

Double your impact!

This December, we have an extraordinary opportunity. From 2 to 9 December 2025, every pound you donate will be matched up to £60,000, doubling your impact on our vital research efforts.

Your support is vital for necessary research like ours

I am currently leading a crucial project to develop a new drug to protect the remaining insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Even if a few cells are still functional, keeping them alive for longer can make managing T1D easier and push us closer to a potential cure. But this research can only continue with your support. Time is of the essence, and we need your help to keep this vital work moving forward.

Join us as we journey towards a cure for T1D

At Breakthrough T1D, we have a proven track record and a clear research road map as we mark our 40th anniversary, focusing on key areas:

1. Delay onset with treatments like teplizumab.
2. Improve quality of life using hybrid closed-loop systems and smart insulins.
3. Restore function through cell replacement, gene editing and bio-printing.
4. Achieve a cure with therapies that restore natural insulin production, resist immune attack, and eliminate the need for external insulin.

My team are working to help insulin-producing cells resist immune attack, but this is just one part of the global effort in cure research. In fact, Breakthrough T1D is currently funding 19 clinical trials around the world to help reach a cure.

Double your donation between 2-9 December

Thanks to The Reed Foundation and some generous supporter pledges, we have £60,000 available in the matching pot – but it is only available for one week. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by – you can be a vital part of driving the next breakthrough in T1D research.

Imagine a future where T1D no longer restricts lives and where children like Bethany can enjoy a life free from T1D. Together, we can work towards that future.

Donate today

Let’s finish what we started 40 years ago and continue our relentless pursuit of a cure this Christmas.

Double your donation