New Jersey Volunteer Gina Gehan Wins 2025 Huntsman Family Award

Gehan’s involvement began when her daughter, Arianna, was diagnosed at age 11. Over the following 12 years, she served in several capacities within the organization’s New Jersey Chapter, including roles as a board member and outreach chair. She focused specifically on building support networks for newly diagnosed families, creating a system of personal outreach to welcome them into the Breakthrough T1D community.

Beyond her internal roles, Gehan successfully lobbied the New Jersey Department of Health to authorize EMTs to perform blood glucose testing, a policy shift that significantly increased safety for local patients. Her advocacy work also extended to state government initiatives, where she participated in the Promise to Remember Me campaigns. Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron Kowalski praised Gehan for her ability to mobilize volunteers and expand the organization’s reach, noting that her efforts have directly connected more individuals to critical resources. Her daughter, Arianna, has since followed in her footsteps, serving as a Children's Congress delegate and a member of the Young Adult Advocacy Council.