Granite Bay HS student's team tops fundraising at T1D walk

A Granite Bay High School student who lives with type 1 diabetes accomplished a meaningful goal this year: Rebecca Gehlmann was the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Walk, Sacramento Mission & Experience champion. In the process, she played a pivotal role in advocating for others who are living with the disease. The walk took place in October at William Land Park. Rebecca joined "Breakthrough T1D" staff and volunteers to forward their mission of making the walk a welcoming, fun experience for the participants who live with type 1 diabetes. "Breakthrough T1D" is the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. The organization invests in the most promising research and advocates for progress by working with the government to address issues that impact the T1D community. The event raised more than $179,000, and her team "Team Rebecca" was the top fundraiser for the event, raising more than $14,000. Breakthrough T1D Sacramento Walk Manager Fiona Weaver said Rebecca's participation and leadership in the event made a huge difference in their cause. "Rebecca embodies what the Breakthrough T1D Walk is all about," Weaver said. "Her energy and leadership helped make this year's Sacramento Walk a big success for our community." Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar, damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and even death. Globally, the disease impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50 percent of all T1D diagnoses. While its causes are not entirely understood, scientists believe genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.