For Jeremy Lott, type 1 diabetes is personal.

The president/CEO of Counselor Top 40 firm SanMar (asi/84863), the largest supplier in the North American promotional products industry, became deeply familiar with the autoimmune disease after his son, now a high school student, was diagnosed with T1D.

Jeremy Lott, SanMar (asi/84863)

Through this, Lott learned about Breakthrough T1D, a global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. And as he discovered more about the nonprofit’s do-gooding work, Lott and SanMar leadership decided to throw their support behind the organization.

That’s taken tangible form now with SanMar succeeding Nordstrom as the presenting sponsor of Seattle’s “Beat the Bridge,” a charity race in its 43^rd year that benefits Breakthrough T1D. Meanwhile, SanMar has also become a nationwide sponsor of the Breakthrough T1D Walk series.

“As a local and national sponsor, we’re honored to support this meaningful cause,” said Jennifer Larson, chief people officer at SanMar. “Type 1 diabetes affects millions, and we’re committed to working alongside Breakthrough T1D to drive progress in research and treatment. This work and the Beat the Bridge event is very much in line with our purpose of creating meaningful connections that elevate lives.”

“Together, through our walk events, we’re creating a movement, taking action for the entire type 1 diabetes community and accelerating breakthroughs on the way to cures for the disease.” Karen Abrahamson, Breakthrough T1D

Nordstrom started Beat the Bridge in 1983 as part of the Breakthrough T1D Walk program, which organizes annual fundraising events in more than 200 locations across 13 countries. To date, the Breakthrough T1D Walk program has raised more than $1 billion for T1D research, with Beat the Bridge holding the top spot as the organization’s largest walk event in the U.S.

“SanMar is excited to step in as the new presenting sponsor, continuing the incredible legacy of community involvement and support for a cause that is so close to my family,” Lott, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people, said of the Beat the Bridge involvement. “We look forward to leveraging that dedication and helping keep Beat the Bridge an iconic Pacific Northwest tradition that makes a real difference for those with type 1 diabetes and their families.”

Karen Abrahamson, senior vice president of field engagement at Breakthrough T1D, said that corporate sponsors like SanMar who are dedicated to giving back are key to advancing the organization’s mission.

“We are incredibly grateful for SanMar’s leadership as a Breakthrough T1D Walk National Series sponsor and the presenting sponsor for the 43^rd Annual Beat the Bridge for Breakthrough T1D event in Seattle,” Abrahamson said. “Together, through our walk events, we’re creating a movement, taking action for the entire type 1 diabetes community and accelerating breakthroughs on the way to cures for the disease.”

As for Beat the Bridge in particular, the festivities take place at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus. They include the namesake 8K run, 3 mile walk, 1 mile fun run and crowd-favorite Diaper Derby, all on May 10. The 8K is a marathon-qualifying race.

Said SanMar: “The race draws thousands of participants annually, ranging from dedicated runners to families and groups supporting loved ones and building community for those with T1D.”

For more information about the race and how to participate, visit Beat the Bridge.

Based on estimated 2023 North American promotional product revenue of $3.6 billion, SanMar ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry.