JDRF Los Angeles Imagine Gala

If you are like me, you love any reason to get dolled up and throw on a pretty dress! Now if the occasion happens to support Type 1 Diabetes research then that is a MAJOR plus in my book! Back in May, I was able to attend the JDRF Imagine Gala in Los Angeles, CA. JDRF hosts galas nationwide as a big fundraiser for Type 1 Diabetes research. If you have ever wondered what goes on at a JDRF Gala, I am here to share!

​First, special thank you to the JDRF Los Angeles Chapter for the invite. I am always happy and excited to partner with JDRF to continue the effort to turn Type One into Type None. I have partnered with many JDRF chapters nationwide! I'm not sure why my local Arizona chapter hasn't reached out to utilize my voice and audience to their advantage but I would love to add them to my network! When I was invited to the Los Angeles Gala, I was quick to say yes! I couldn’t wait hang out with my Los Angeles diabuddies at the Beverly Hilton.  

The Attire

I knew exactly what I had in mind! I wanted to be very glam and girly since the event was at the Beverly Hilton! I ended up using Rent the Runway for the first time ever! I was nervous to test it out for the first time on such a special occasion, but it worked out perfect. They sent a dress in my size and a size up! I am not sponsored by Rent the Runway but they do have a great referral program. If you use this link you can get $30 off your rental! 

​I recently started working with Lauren’s Hope and when I found out about the gala I asked if they had a bracelet to match! They surely did, and it was perfect! My friend Gretchen from Type One Type Happy was also a special guest of JDRF and Lauren’s Hope also gifted her a medical ID bracelet to wear! We completed our outfits with our favorite Myabetic Diabetes bags! I used the Marie Crossbody which I've owned for years! You can always use promo code "GLITTER" for 15% off + free shipping on your purchase at Myabetic.com!

LOS ANGELES

​Since I love Los Angeles so much and I have so many diabuddies there, I decided to stay the whole weekend. I flew in on Friday and had 2 meetings that day and then met up with my diabuddies at a bar that night! It was so fun to see familiar and new faces! Once upon a time I felt so alone and didn’t know anyone who had Type 1. Now I am beyond grateful to have diabuddies to share “me too’s” with all over the world! My diabuddy Johana from New Mexico decided to fly out for the gala also! I asked her if she wanted to share a hotel and again diabetes has turned 2 strangers into friends! 

The next morning, I had a fun photoshoot on Rodeo Drive then had lunch in downtown LA. Then Sarah Noble Photography came to my hotel room and snapped some shots of me and my friends! I had posted on Instagram that I was looking for a LA based photographer. My diabuddy Kate Noble replied and offered up her sister to come take some photos! I love it lol. So fun how social media can connect you with so many people! 

IMAGINE GALA

​Gretchen, Johana and I went to the gala together and as soon as we walked in we were able to get shots on the red carpet. Loni Love from The Real walked the carpet right before I did so I asked her for a photo as soon as I stepped off! Once we finally entered the gala we got to chatting with random people who were all there for a common interest: Finding a cure for Type 1! Next Gretchen and I spotted Ashley Tidsdale!  Exactly 1 year before, Gretchen and I were at a party for Beyond Type 1 and Ashley was there too! Her husband is Type 1! We didn’t ask for a photo last year but I felt brave enough to ask this year. Her husband was very nice and talkative! Next Gretchen spotted Derek Theler who is a diabetic stud. I don’t know much about Derek so I wasn’t that excited, but Gretchen was! Of course, I approached him and asked for a photo for all of us! I actually loved meeting him! Such a nice guy! 

​After all our celebrity sightings we finally took our seats! The gala served a fabulous dinner as they had live entertainment based on the movie “The Greatest Showman.” The whole gala is centered around a cure! There is a silent auction going on in another room and a LIVE auction going on during the gala. It was quite entertaining to see people bidding on BIG ticket items and all for a good cause! I do wish there was some dancing involved but none the less, it was a fabulous event. I walked away with a HUGE smile on my face after seeing people give away $100k, $20k, $5k, $50k! What a great event! I highly encourage you to attend your local chapter’s gala. You can go to JDRF.org, search for your chapter and see their upcoming events!

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Also if you love the content I share on my website and Instagram, let your JDRF know that you would love to see me at one of their events! I would love to come out to your JDRF Summit, walk, gala or anything that gets us one step closer to Type None! xoxo