Elizabeth Forrest and Dancing for Diabetes Featured on WFTV Channel 9
Ahead of its milestone 25th anniversary showcase, WFTV Channel 9 highlighted Touched by Type 1 founder Elizabeth Forrest and the inspiring story behind Dancing for Diabetes — the signature event that started it all.
What began 25 years ago as one girl’s idea to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes through dance has grown into a sold-out, nationally recognized performance celebrating strength, creativity, and community.
From Her Front Yard to Steinmetz Hall
Elizabeth Forrest was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child. Rather than letting it define her, she used it as motivation to make a difference.
At just 10 years old, Elizabeth hosted the very first Dancing for Diabetes in her driveway — a small neighborhood performance created to spread awareness and support others like her living with type 1 diabetes.
That one-night event has since evolved into an annual production that fills Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — bringing together more than 500 dancers and a community united by compassion and purpose.
A Story of Movement, Meaning, and Mission
The WFTV feature captured the heart of what makes Dancing for Diabetes so powerful: it’s not just a performance — it’s a story told through motion.
“To think back on the last 25 years of what we’ve done together as a community, for those that are impacted by type one diabetes, is really incredible,” Elizabeth reflects in the article by Jonathan Grass for WFTV Channel 9.
Each year, the showcase brings real experiences to life on stage, turning challenges into choreography and perseverance into art. Elizabeth’s leadership has transformed the event from a backyard initiative into a national platform for education, connection, and hope.
Empowering Families and Communities Nationwide
Today, Touched by Type 1 continues to reach far beyond the stage.
Through initiatives like the D-Box (a free support kit for newly diagnosed families) and educator training programs that equip teachers and caregivers to better understand and assist children with type 1 diabetes, the organization’s reach now spans across the country.
The impact is lasting — ensuring that families feel supported, children feel understood, and every diagnosis is met with empathy and encouragement.
Celebrating 25 Years of Dance and Dedication
As Elizabeth reflected in her WFTV interview, Dancing for Diabetes remains the heartbeat of Touched by Type 1’s mission — a living example of how creativity can spark connection and lasting change.
Thank you to WFTV and reporter Alexa Lorenzo for shining a spotlight on 25 years of transforming a single diagnosis into a nationwide community of support.
Watch the full WFTV feature and relive the 25th Annual Dancing for Diabetes showcase at DancingforDiabetes.org.
