2020 High Hopes Gala

The High Hopes Gala celebrates and honors patients and caregivers, donors and researchers — all of whom recognize Joslin Diabetes Center as the world leader in the fight against diabetes.

This distinctive event raises funds for Joslin's High Hopes Fund, which directly supports Joslin's most important efforts to identify breakthrough advancements in diabetes research and clinical care. The High Hopes Fund also makes it possible for Joslin to work through the barriers of insurance reimbursements, government funding setbacks and the high costs of providing treatment to people with diabetes.

The ultimate goal of the High Hopes Gala and of everyone at Joslin Diabetes Center is to make sure our children and grandchildren enjoy a future without diabetes and its complications. We invite you to attend this Joslin signature event and help us make that future a reality!

Please note: We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in regards to holding the High Hopes Gala on November 14. We are preparing as planned to have an in-person event in November but if we are unable to we do plan on having the event in a virtual capacity. Our responsibility to maintain the health and well-being of attendees, volunteers, donors, committee members and staff will guide our decision. Please save the date for this annual event and stay tuned to this website for event updates. No matter the format, the 21st annual High Hopes Gala will be memorable.

Our Honorees

Dr. Ronald Kahn

Global Achievement Award Honoree

C. Ronald Kahn - Chief Academic Officer, Senior Investigator, Head of the Section of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, and the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Special Guest

Special Guest

To be announced

Millie Acampora

Spotlight on Hope Honoree

Millie Acampora
Pediatric Patient

Noa Asher

Merritt Levitan Youth Ambassador

Noa Asher
Pediatric Patient

2020 Gala Information

Gala Honorary Chair

Ann Lagasse

Gala Co-Chairs

Ryan Enright

Megan Kristiansen

There are many ways to support Joslin Diabetes Center through our High Hopes Gala. Proceeds from the Gala go to our High Hopes Fund which ensures we carry out our mission to prevent, treat and cure diabetes.

Become a Sponsor

  • Gala sponsorship is available at many levels for both corporations and individuals. For more information, please click here to view our gala sponsorship opportunities.

Purchase Tickets

  • Tickets will be available to purchase soon. Check this website for updates.

Make a Donation

  • If you can't attend this year's gala event but would like to make a donation to support our mission, please click here. All proceeds will go to our High Hopes Fund. Your donation is entirely tax-deductible.

Donate an Auction Item

  • Our event would not be the same without the generous support from businesses and individuals from all over the country who donate goods and services to our Live and Silent Auctions. If you have an item that would be a perfect addition to our auction, please submit the auction donation form or contact Caitlin Enright at caitlin.enright [at] joslin.harvard.edu.

There are Gala sponsorships available at many levels for both corporations and individuals. For more information, please view our 2020 Gala Sponsorship Packet to see our sponsorship opportunities.

If you would like to become a sponsor of this event, please contact Brenda Goodell at brenda.goodell [at] joslin.harvard.edu or call 617-309-2412.

Joslin's Gala event will feature incredible live and silent auctions with many wonderful items and packages up for bid. Categories for the silent auction are: Created for You, Fashion and Beauty, Sports, Explore & Experience and Dining Out. We will once again have our “High Hopes Boutique” open during the cocktail hour.

This year, we will be using an electronic bidding system that will allow you to bid from your own mobile phone for the silent auction and High Hopes Boutique. You will be asked at registration for your cell phone number where you will receive a text directing you to a list of our items. Once there, you can bid the night away!

Sneak a peek at the auction items that will be up for bid at this year’s event! Check back for more details.

If you would like to donate to our auction, please submit the auction donation form or contact Caitlin Enright at caitlin.enright [at] joslin.harvard.edu or call 617-309-2531.

In 2019, our High Hopes Gala raised $1.47M for Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Fund to support our mission to prevent, treat and cure diabetes. The evening was a wonderful celebration of hope for patients and families. Joslin Diabetes Center awarded the “Global Achievement Award” to T.J.Maxx for their outstanding commitment to raise awareness for diabetes across the United States and for raising over $10 Million for diabetes care and research over the last 12 years. Henry Gay, a patient in the pediatrics department, served as the “Spotlight on Hope” honoree in 2019 and Toby Welo was introduced as our 2019-2020 Merritt Levitan Youth Ambassador.

Become a part of the diabetes cure by participating in our High Hopes Gala this November! 

Who do I contact with questions about the Gala?

  • Please contact us by phone at 617.309.2412 or email rsvp [at] joslin.harvard.edu with any questions you might have about the event.

How do I purchase tickets?

  • Tickets will be available to purchase soon. Check this website for updates.

What is the Emerging Leaders Late Night Ticket?

  • Emerging Leaders is a group of young professionals committed to Joslin's mission. This year, we will host a reception for young professionals at the High Hopes Gala from 8:30pm to midnight. We will host a private reception from 8:30pm to 10pm with food and drinks. At 10pm, the group will join the Gala to enjoy the live band and dancing until midnight. Tickets will be available to purchase soon.

What is the dress for the evening?

  • The dress for the evening is black tie. Women will be in a mixture of long evening gowns and fancy cocktail dresses. The majority of men will be in tuxes, but some will be in dark suits.

How will the COVID-19 pandemic effect the Gala?

  • We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in regards to holding the High Hopes Gala on November 14. We are preparing as planned to have an in-person event in November but if we are unable to we do plan on having the event in a virtual capacity. Our responsibility to maintain the health and well-being of attendees, volunteers, donors, committee members and staff will guide our decision. Please save the date for this annual event and stay tuned to this website for event updates. No matter the format, the 21st annual High Hopes Gala will be memorable.