Breakthrough T1D Celebrates Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the World Premiere of Just Ask!

The Type 1 Diabetes Research and Advocacy Organization is a Sponsor of The New Musical Based on Sotomayor's New York Times' Best-Selling Children's Book

Justice Sotomayor, Who Lives with Type 1 Diabetes, Led a Read Aloud for Breakthrough T1D Children and Families as Part of the Opening Weekend Festivities

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, is pleased to support Just Ask!, a new musical based on The New York Times' best-selling book by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The show premiered Friday, January 31 at The Coterie Theater in Kansas City, Mo. Opening weekend also included a special read aloud of Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, on Saturday, February 1, led by Justice Sotomayor at The Kansas City Ballet for Breakthrough T1D children and families.

"Breakthrough T1D is delighted to sponsor Just Ask! at Kansas City's Coterie Theater. We would also like to thank Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor for leading Saturday's read aloud for families impacted by type 1 diabetes," said Sherri Lozano, executive director of the Kansas & Missouri Chapter of Breakthrough T1D. "Just Ask! is a charming adaptation of Justice Sotomayor's award-winning book that offers an inspiring message and encourages audiences to 'just ask' about type 1 diabetes and the many things that make us unique. A joyous and important production, Just Ask! shines a light on the 1.6 million Americans who like Justice Sotomayor, live with type 1 diabetes."

Just Ask! tells the story of a group of children with different abilities as they work to create a garden together. Young Sonia is new to the group, and she wonders if the other children will accept something about her that she hasn't told them. Through multicultural music and joyful choreography, the musical illustrates how to "just ask" about what makes each of us unique.

Just Ask! is written and directed by Fran Sillau, with music direction and composition by Mark Kurtz and choreography by Courtney Stein Cairncross. Sillau and Kurtz also participated in Saturday's read aloud. They were joined by Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, illustrator Rafael Lopez. 

Breakthrough T1D is proud to sponsor the world premiere production of Just Ask! alongside other partners including National Endowment for the Arts, the Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund and Variety KC: The Children's Charity.

About Breakthrough T1D
As the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. We do this by investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helping educate and empower individuals facing this condition. To learn more about our work, please visit www.breakthrought1d.org

About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
T1D 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, and heart; and even death. Globally, it 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% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.

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SOURCE Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF