Virtual Promise Ball raises $1.2 million for juvenile diabetes research
When Rick Byrd found out how much this year’s Promise Ball raised, he almost passed out.
“I got a text on my phone from the back-office team that read, ‘Here’s the number: $1.2 million,’ ” said Byrd, executive director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Houston chapter. “We were blown away and beyond pleased. Houston always rises up when there’s a challenge, and Saturday was a culmination of all the hard work that was put into this.”
Last week, the pressure was on to successfully convert JDRF’s 50th anniversary gala into a virtual affair.
“Our plan shifted a couple of times to where we landed,” Byrd said of the nonprofit’s decision to host its fundraiser in two parts. His team scrapped its initial “Midnight in Monaco” theme for something more pragmatic.
On May 2, the event’s original date, a new motif, “The Power of Us: From Start to Finish,” was unveiled. For the next seven days, supporters could bid on silent and live auction items, purchase raffle tickets and make Fund-A-Cure donations leading up to the main event.
Then on May 9, more than 600 “galagoers” watched the online soirée — 60 percent streamed in real time, the rest was pre-recorded.
To get festive juices flowing, former board president Marshall Lang and his wife, Suzette Lang, hosted an extra bubbly pre-party for friends and family via Zoom.
“Of the 32 couples we sent invitations to, 30 agreed to attend our virtual cocktail party,” Marshall said. “So we had a bottle of champagne sent to each person’s house.”
Some logged onto the videoconference platform wearing tuxedos and ballgowns. Others tuned in poolside in shorts and Hawaiian shirts.
The Langs gave the first toast before inviting guests to each share their connection to JDRF. Most of the couples had joined the couple at previous Promise Balls, though there were a few newcomers in the group.
“Our son Ethan is a senior at Bellaire High School. He was diagnosed at age 2, so we’ve been involved with JDRF for 16 years,” Marshall said. “In those early days, it was because we needed hope. We’re still with the organization all these years later because we really see results, and it’s been the best return on our dollars.”
Promise Ball’s hour-long program mimicked its usual gala format in terms of messaging, Byrd said. Funds raised support three initiatives: research of
Type 1 diabetes in more than 21 countries, 500 active grants and 70 human trials; advocacy work; and outreach/community engagement for those families coping with a new diagnosis.
Auctioneer Jim Jungers offered up three items live, and the winning bids surpassed goals. Donations to a “paddles up” Fund-A-Cure also appeared live on screens, though instead of raising their hands, participants contributed dollars via text.
“We raised $800,000, which is more than we raised the year before in the Hilton-Americas ballroom,” Byrd said. He credits much of the evening’s success to Drew Dougherty, who serves on JDRF Houston’s board, has Type 1 diabetes and hosts Houston Texans TV. “Drew was so genuine and comfortable in front of his camera — that really helped the flow.”
Promise Ball trumped all expectations, though there were hurdles to overcome.
“Technology provided the most challenges. Most of us have been on a Zoom call, but we haven’t produced a TV show, which is essentially what we did to pull this off,” Byrd said. “Virtually everything has changed in this world over the last two months — everything except the passion, generosity and drive of our community.”