Cool Kickoff: Juvenile Diabetes Group Promotes Spring Gala with Lovely Cocktail Party

James and Elizabeth Elder, Rick Byrd

RAINY WEATHER COULDN'T keep supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from kicking off their 2024 Promise Ball with good cheer and high hopes.

Gathering at the home of longtime supporters Freyja and Travis Lauritsen, so 60 guest enjoyed cocktails and a fabulous menu of bites from Masraff’s. Tuna Tartar tacos, truffled grilled cheese sandwiches, Wagyu meatballs or bacon-wrapped shrimp, anyone?

But, of course, the reason for the event wasn’t about the food. “Promise Ball chairs Jordan and Brian Amis shared their story of hope when JDRF came to their aid when their then 10-month-old son was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes,” said a rep for the org. The young man is now 15.

JDRF will celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of Houston’s highest netting fundraisers — the Promise Ball — Hilton Americas on Saturday, April 13, 2024. JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, the organization said, adding: “JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of diabetes from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence and a working plan to bring life-changing therapies from the lab to the T1D community.”