Podcast Summary:

Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Episode: Chris Dunn got screened for her kids, turns out SHE has type 1 diabetes
Host: Stacey Simms
Guest: Kris Dunn
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Kris Dunn’s extraordinary journey—intending to model proactive health by joining her daughter in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) screening, Kris unexpectedly discovered she herself tested positive for T1D autoantibodies. Already a diabetes mom, advocate, and now staff member at Breakthrough T1D, Kris shares her emotional and clinical journey through diagnosis, staging, and being treated with Tzield, a therapy shown to delay T1D onset. The conversation covers parental experiences, advances in screening and prevention, and what these developments mean for individuals and families affected by T1D.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Family Background and Commitment to Screening

• Kris is a mother of four; two children (Nolan, diagnosed at 2 in 2006; Patsy, diagnosed at 4 in 2012) have T1D, while her other two children, Ellie and Mary Kate, have not been diagnosed.
• Kris speaks candidly about the trauma of her son’s diagnosis and the early years before technological advances (CGMs, pumps) were available.
  • Quote: “There’s no sugar coating how terrible that was... trying to keep our son alive 24 hours a day.” (05:23, Kris Dunn)
• Their first JDRF event a year in provided profound hope and connected them to community.
• Kris emphasizes vigilance: ongoing regular screening for her children without T1D due to their elevated risk and family history.

2. The Unexpected Diagnosis

• Kris had screened negative for T1D autoantibodies as an adult in 2011 and believed she was in the clear.
• In spring 2025, while ordering an at-home screening kit for her youngest daughter Mary Kate, Kris ordered a kit for herself—partly to model behavior and promote adult screening publicly.
  • Quote: “I just ordered a test kit for myself, not thinking... I was just using it as an opportunity to educate people about the importance of screening.” (08:52, Kris Dunn)
• Shock followed when Kris received a call: she was positive for 4 out of 4 autoantibodies.
  • Quote: “It was just a surreal moment. I had to pull my chair over and sit down... She said, well, you were positive for 4 out of 4 autoantibodies.” (09:49, Kris Dunn)
• Kris immediately recognized the importance of timely intervention, especially regarding the disease-modifying therapy Tzield (Teplizumab).

3. Staging, Eligibility, and Tzield Therapy

• Kris underwent staging at the Barbara Davis Center, learning she was in Stage 2 T1D: multiple autoantibodies, dysglycemia, but not yet insulin-dependent.
  • Explanation: The “sweet spot”" for Tzield is the tail end of Stage 2, just before insulin dependency.
• Adults can remain in Stage 2 for years, but timely therapy eligibility is critical since Tzield is only FDA-approved once per lifetime.
• The Tzield infusion is a 14-day process; Kris opted for treatment at Barbara Davis given their expertise.

4. Family Reactions

• Reactions among Kris’s children varied and reflected each child’s temperament:
  • Nolan (with T1D): “Oh, gosh, that sucks.” (14:09, Kris Dunn)
  • Patsy (with T1D): More emotional and supportive.
  • Ellie (no T1D): Traveled to the infusion therapy, participating and supporting.
  • Mary Kate (no T1D): Understood the situation’s weight, but, being 15, perhaps didn’t fully process the enormity.

5. Tzield Infusion Experience

• Days 5 and 6 of treatment were the roughest: flu-like symptoms and rash, but the team made her as comfortable as possible.
  • Quote: “Days five and six felt a lot like a bad case of influenza... But then by the time we hit day seven, it just steadily got a little bit better every day.” (17:52, Kris Dunn)
• Emotional outcome: overwhelming gratitude for advocates, scientists, donors, and the therapy itself.
  • Quote: “I just felt so excited and grateful to have that opportunity... any delay that I get is a win in my book.” (20:06, Kris Dunn)

6. Follow-Up and Results

• Kris had her first follow-up on World Diabetes Day; all markers (A1C, fasting glucose, two-hour oral glucose tolerance test) looked excellent.
  • She continues to wear a CGM and monitor her response; so far, she appears to be a “good responder.”
  • Quote: “So far, it’s looking like I’m a good responder to this therapy. My A1C, fasting blood sugar... all looked phenomenal.” (20:47, Kris Dunn)

7. Reflections, Advocacy, and Screening Advice

• Kris addresses the emotional complexity: instead of wishing she could take her kids’ place, she now also shares the lived experience. However, she ultimately feels grateful for the time she’s gained.
• She uses her role at Breakthrough T1D to directly demonstrate the impact of advocacy and research funding.
  • Quote: “I am working for the organization that funded the development of a therapy that is hopefully changing my life for years to come.” (22:46, Kris Dunn)
• Kris recommends screening for everyone at risk and offers a breakdown of options:
  • TrialNet: for those with a direct family connection, some age limits.
  • ASK Study (Barbara Davis Center): for ages 1 to 99, no family history required; free and available by mail.
  • Through your physician: Possible, but insurance coverage is spotty.
• Kris emphasizes the benefit of delay—even a few years—whether for developmental, logistical, or quality-of-life reasons.
  • Quote: “The gift of time is always going to be a win in my book.” (27:00, Kris Dunn)
• Advocacy update: She’s heading to Capitol Hill to advocate for T1D screening as a covered preventive service.

8. Paying for Tzield

• Kris’s out-of-pocket cost was $0 due to insurance and the manufacturer’s (Sanofi) patient assistance program (Compass).
• Access to support programs is crucial for patients who may not have good insurance coverage.

9. Hope for the Future

• Kris shares research insights: different T1D genotypes respond differently to Tzield; future therapies may be tailored to genotype, offering more personalized and effective delays or prevention down the line.
  • Quote: “The ultimate goal then being that... we have a menu of therapies to choose from to pick the therapy that’s going to be the best and provide the most hope for that particular patient.” (29:00, Kris Dunn)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the shock of her diagnosis:
  "It was just a surreal moment. I had to pull my chair over and sit down..."
  —Kris Dunn, 09:49

• On screening as a parent:
  “I’m just using it as an opportunity to educate people about the importance of screening and about the fact that this is why we don’t call it juvenile diabetes anymore.”
  —Kris Dunn, 08:52

• On gratitude for new therapies:
  “Gratitude to breakthrough T1D supporters who trusted us... gratitude to advocates... gratitude to the researchers. Just so very grateful that this was an option for me.”
  —Kris Dunn, 17:52

• On the emotional reward after treatment:
  “I’m just walking out, hands in the air, like victory. Just felt so excited and grateful... any delay that I get is a win in my book.”
  —Kris Dunn, 20:06

• On the importance of screening and knowledge:
  “I’m always going to err on the side of knowledge is power. And as far as a delay... that gift of time. ...The gift of time is always going to be a win in my book.”
  —Kris Dunn, 27:00

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:23 — Kris describes family T1D history and diagnosis stories
• 08:52 — Why Kris got re-screened as an adult
• 09:49 — The call revealing her positive result for 4/4 autoantibodies
• 11:46 — Traveling to Barbara Davis Center for staging and staging details
• 14:09 — Family reactions to Kris' diagnosis
• 17:52 — Experiencing and coping with Tzield infusion
• 20:06 — Emotional impact and outlook post-infusion
• 20:47 — First follow-up results show success so far
• 22:46 — Reflections on working at Breakthrough T1D and being a recipient of Tzield
• 23:26 — How listeners can get screened and available screening methods
• 25:56 — Paying for Tzield and insurance issues
• 27:00 — Kris’s perspective on the value of delaying T1D
• 29:00 — Future directions: genotype-based therapies and personalized treatments

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Screening Links:
  screenfortype1.com
  BreakthroughT1D.org - Early Detection
  [Ask Study - Barbara Davis Center]
• Tzield (Teplizumab): FDA-approved therapy for T1D delay
• Sanofi Compass Program: Patient assistance for Tzield cost

Final Shout-Out

• Kris’s organizational shout-out:

  “I think I just have to shout out Breakthrough T1D in general... our introduction to this community completely changed our lives, changed the trajectory of how we handle this disease and is giving me the hope for a future without T1D.” (30:28, Kris Dunn)

This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by T1D—parents, adults, and advocates—to understand the importance of screening, the realities of new therapies, and the rapidly changing landscape of diabetes prevention and care. Kris’s candid experience is both a warning and a beacon of hope.