Naples’ JDRF Hope Gala Raises $1.5 Million & Recognizes Honorees: Benji & Laura Kendall

More than 240 members of the Naples community gathered to attend the JDRF Naples Hope Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburon. The Hope Gala raised more than $1.5 million to fund critically-needed type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. 

“We have received incredible support from the community and business leaders in Naples, for which we are incredibly grateful,” said Kathy Cleeland, Executive Director of JDRF Southern Florida. “The donations raised from this year’s event will help advance breakthrough research and advocacy to improve the lives of 1.6 million Americans in the U.S with type 1 diabetes. Thanks to this community’s support, we are that much closer to our vision of a world without T1D.” 

Naples recognized two local residents and partners of Haute Living Naples that have played a major role in the success of turning type one to type none right here in Naples. Benji and Laura Kendall, owners of Yamron Jewelers, were honored at the Hope Gala alongside their Marketing Director, Natalie Harley, who was awarded the 2023 Bob Beauregard Volunteer Service Award. The Kendalls have been involved with JDRF for ten years after a family member was diagnosed with type one. As the Honorees, they are being acknowledged for their longstanding commitment to JDRF’s vision of a world without T1D.

The JDRF Hope Gala brings many individuals together and local businesses who support and share KDRF’s mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications, such as kidney, nerve, and eye disease. Although considerable progress has been made, JDRF continues to drive scientific advances, delivering new treatments and therapies that make day-to-day life with T1D easier, safer and healthier until this is a cure. 

JDRF acknowledges its local corporate partners: Baer’s Furniture, Realterm, CS Gallery, Prinova, The Wellington Group at Morgan Stanley, The Jack Parker Corporation, Island Garage Door, Bodine Perry, Wink News, ML Meade with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Liv PUR, GL Homes, J.P. Morgan, Allegra, Mesirow, Naples Endodontics, and Exit One Solutions. 

Haute Living looks forward to supporting the Naples community and JDRF Naples Hope Gala as they approach their 18th year!  For more information, please visit jdrf.org. Follow along @jdrswfl