Breakthrough T1D Takes See T1D Campaign Global With Times Square Billboard for World Diabetes Day

Breakthrough T1D expanded its "See T1D" campaign across global channels and affiliate partners for World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2026, with a Times Square digital billboard takeover featuring advocates Robin Arzón and J.J. Spaun. The organization announced the expansion in a PR Newswire release.

Breakthrough T1D's Times Square Takeover

Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, is a New York-based nonprofit founded in 1970 that funds type 1 diabetes research, advocacy and patient support. The campaign follows a nationwide launch last year and now runs throughout November, National Diabetes Awareness Month, across out-of-home media, digital activations and community stories in major markets globally.

The Times Square ads feature Arzón, a Peloton head instructor and Project Swagger host, and Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open and three-time PGA Tour champion. Both live with T1D. "Visibility matters. When we share our stories, someone else living with type 1 diabetes can see themselves in them—and know they're not alone," Arzón said.

Pam Morrisroe, chief marketing officer at Breakthrough T1D, said the expansion lets the organization "shine an even brighter light on the everyday realities and extraordinary breakthroughs within our type 1 diabetes community." The campaign also features Katie Beth Hand, a mother of four who achieved full insulin independence after an islet cell transplant paired with Eledon's tegoprubart in a Breakthrough T1D-funded study.

Outfront Media is the billboard partner. "IRL media has a unique power to connect with millions of people through visually compelling, personal stories," said Nick Brien, CEO of OUTFRONT. Outfront reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $511.1 million, up 9.3% year over year, according to TradingView.

The Burden Behind the Numbers

According to akta.pro company records, Breakthrough T1D serves roughly 1.5 million people with T1D in the U.S. and about 9.5 million worldwide, and more than 120 Breakthrough T1D Walks are planned nationwide in 2026. The organization's "State of T1D" resource this year carries the theme "The Burden Behind the Numbers." It cites $16 billion in annual U.S. T1D-associated healthcare expenditures and lost income, and 39% of people with T1D experiencing diabetes distress.

Walgreens and Research Funding Before the Campaign

On November 12, 2026, Breakthrough T1D and the Walgreens Foundation announced a partnership in which the foundation will provide $1 million over three years and aim to raise $15 million through checkout campaigns starting May 2027, PR Newswire reported. On October 27, 2026, the organization presented awards to four T1D research leaders at a ceremony in Philadelphia, according to PR Newswire. On October 21, 2026, a Breakthrough T1D-funded clinical trial testing islet cell transplantation with Eledon's tegoprubart expanded to include people with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease, Moomoo reported.

Congress Set for Washington in 2027

Breakthrough T1D said its second Clinical & Research Congress, CRC 2027, will be held in Washington, D.C., from October 15 to 17, 2027, following its inaugural congress in Philadelphia, which concluded on October 11, 2026.