Breakthrough T1D receives Health Access Hero Award grant for $50,000 from Sun Life and DentaQuest

VALLEJO, Calif., November 10, 2025 – Breakthrough T1D has been selected as a 2025 Health Access Hero Award grant recipient by Sun Life U.S. and DentaQuest. The $50,000 grant will support Breakthrough T1D’s type 1 diabetes (T1D) early detection pilot program, which is designed to increase access to T1D screening nationwide and to inform future broader clinical implementation of screening. The annual Health Access Hero Awards recognize nonprofits and individual change-makers working to broaden access to health services for communities in need.

Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is the leading global T1D research and advocacy organization. T1D can now be identified early, before insulin is required, with a simple blood test that looks for T1D autoantibodies. Early detection of T1D is a key focus area for Breakthrough T1D. The Health Access Hero grant will support Touro University California’s Mobile Diabetes Education Center (MOBEC), which uses mobile health delivery to reach people who may not otherwise have access to healthcare or screening in Northern California.

“Type 1 diabetes was once viewed as a condition that could only be diagnosed in childhood, but we now know it can develop at any age, regardless of family history,” said Julianne Lally, DMSc, MHS, PA-C, Associate Director, Medical Affairs at Breakthrough T1D. “Early detection of type 1 diabetes can help reduce the risk of life-threatening complications at diagnosis and allow people time to access therapies, participate in crucial T1D clinical trials, and prepare for future medical needs. Breakthrough T1D is grateful to Sun Life and DentaQuest for their generous grant that will allow MOBEC, a trusted community partner and provider, to expand no-cost type 1 diabetes screening and education to those who might not otherwise have access.”

“We are very excited to provide expanded services to our community members through our partnership with Breakthrough T1D,” said Dr. Jay Shubrook, professor of the Primary Care Department at Touro University California. “With this new MOBEC service, made possible by the Health Access Heroes Awards grant, we can help people know whether they’re at risk for type 1 diabetes well before they ever develop high blood sugar. This can have significant impact on how someone gets diagnosed and lives with type 1 diabetes.”

Healthcare access is an ongoing issue across America, and grassroots efforts can drive meaningful results within communities. From diabetes to oral health, the Health Access Hero Awards raise awareness about the work of people and programs around the country that are charting new ways to overcome longstanding healthcare challenges.

“Sun Life and DentaQuest are committed to broadening access to care through philanthropic initiatives that can have large-scale impact at local levels,” said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. “Every year, we receive hundreds of grant applications, and we want to thank all the unsung Heroes doing the hard work, day in and day out. Breakthrough T1D is bringing an important service to at-risk communities by helping people identify and manage type 1 diabetes earlier so they can live fuller, healthier lives. Breakthrough T1D, thank you for your impressive work as you strive to create more equitable health access for all.”

There are two tracks to the Health Access Hero Awards: grants to fund health and wellness programs in community organizations, and recognition of individuals who have made a significant impact on health access in their communities. Individual Heroes also receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The Health Access Hero Awards have provided more than $3.5 million in grants and recognized more than 130 individuals across the country.

Read more about Breakthrough T1D and their mobile screening initiatives at BreakthroughT1D.org/earlydetection.

Learn more about the Sun Life and DentaQuest Health Access Hero Awards, including the 2025 recipients at https://www.dentaquest.com/en/about-us/health-access-heroes.