Chelsea Vail

Co-Chair

In 2018, a few months before my 30th birthday, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At that time, my knowledge about the disease was limited, but I quickly learned what it takes to survive and live each day with it. A year after my diagnosis, I decided to form a JDRF Walk team as a way to learn more while also giving back to the community.

As my involvement with JDRF deepened, in 2020 I joined the Board of Directors, discovering new avenues to contribute my time and talents to an organization driven by volunteers that provides significant support to the T1D community. Last year, my partner Jeffry and I made the move to Greenville, and we’ve been enjoying exploring our new city. Outside of JDRF, I work as an Area Director of Sales with Parks Hospitality Group, supporting our hotels in Columbia and Greenville.

I am truly honored to co-chair this year’s gala with Tammy Malone, aiming to showcase what The Mother of All Galas can achieve for Type 1 Diabetes fundraising.

Tammy Malone

Co-Chair

My T1D connection is my son Matt who has been living with diabetes for over thirty years and was diagnosed at 8 years of age. I have been involved with JDRF for many years.

I am a board member of JDRF SC and a volunteer on gala committees as well as the “One Walk”. I am an advocate and encourage T1Ds and their families to advocate for themselves and the T1D commmunity.

As I look back over more than 30 years of JDRF Research there have been so many great strides in improving the lives of diabetics and making everyday life for people more manageable. I continue to look forward to the research success.

It’s gala time! As we come together for the statewide gala it is a great time to be together in support of our T1D community.  My favorite part of the evening is when we all have the opportunity to raise our paddles in support of “FUND A CURE” with 100% of donations going to support research. Let’s raise our paddles on May 11^th to support not only our T1D community of South Carolina but all those who are living with T1D.  Look forward to seeing you all at the gala for a great night!

The Sutterlin Family

Fund A Cure Family

Abby Sutterlin’s story with JDRF started when she was diagnosed with type one diabetes, a diagnosis that would shock her family even though they were very familiar with the medical field. At the time, there were no local Charleston organizations for type one diabetes. Her family founded Abby’s Friends, a non-profit with the mission to raise money, educate the public, and raise awareness about type one diabetes. With the help of friends, family, and strangers, the Sutterlins made a huge impact on the Charleston community and the T1D community.

Since then, Abby has sought out to touch the lives of T1D and families by becoming an advocate and holding on to the goal of finding a cure. This past year, she became a JDRF Advocate Action Committee Member with the goal of participating in national Advocacy initiatives and mentoring local youths in the JDRF Advocacy program. Outside of the JDRF, she is a senior at Wofford College and will be graduating in May with a B.S. in biology.

Abby and her family are truly honored to be this years Fund A Cure Family. They cannot wait to represent T1D all over the state and raise money to find a care.