Congenital Hyperinsulinism International’s signature annual fundraising event
Congenital Hyperinsulinism International’s 2026 Sugar Soirée will bring together the HI community, dedicated supporters, clinicians, researchers, advocates, families, and friends for an inspiring evening in support of people affected by congenital hyperinsulinism. The event will be held on Saturday evening, November 21, 2026, at The Highlawn in West Orange, New Jersey, a historic venue with spectacular views of the New York City skyline.
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CHI’s annual Sugar Soirée celebrates the strength, resilience, and generosity of the congenital hyperinsulinism community while raising essential funds to improve the lives of babies, children, and adults born with HI. The evening is a meaningful opportunity to honor progress, recognize extraordinary contributions, and advance CHI’s mission to end preventable brain damage and death from severe and prolonged hypoglycemia.
CHI envisions a future where every baby, child, and adult born with HI can access essential medications, surgeries, blood sugar testing supplies, specialized care, effective treatments, and ultimately, a cure. As a global lifeline for those with HI and their families, CHI works toward a world where “lows” are a thing of the past.
Funds raised at the 2026 Sugar Soirée will support CHI’s work to raise vital awareness of HI, fund research that leads to earlier diagnosis and better treatments, support continually evolving care guidelines, and help patients gain access to specialized treatment, medications, and supplies.
The master of ceremonies will be award-winning broadcast journalist Cheri Preston, who anchors ABC News Morning Drive updates for radio stations and podcast audiences nationwide and received the 2025 Gracie Award for Outstanding Radio News Anchor from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.
The event will also feature CHI’s annual Be My Sugar Awards, honoring individuals whose compassion, leadership, expertise, and commitment have made a lasting difference for the HI community.
2026 Be My Sugar Awardees
Thomas Meissner, 2026 Be My Sugar Sweetest Researcher and Clinician Award
CHI is honored to present the 2026 Be My Sugar Sweetest Researcher and Clinician Award to Thomas Meissner in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, scholarship, clinical excellence, and enduring commitment to improving the lives of people affected by congenital hyperinsulinism.
As the leader of the HI Center in Düsseldorf, Dr. Meissner has helped shape the field through his deep expertise, steady collaboration, and participation in global clinical trials. His work has advanced the shared understanding of HI, strengthened clinical care, and contributed to better outcomes for children and families affected by this rare disease.
Dr. Meissner’s impact also extends through the clinicians and researchers he has trained and mentored. Experts now playing leading roles in their own right and contributing meaningfully to the Collaborative Research Network, reflect his commitment to developing the next generation of HI leaders. Their work is part of the lasting legacy he continues to build.
Through his research, clinical leadership, mentorship, and global collaboration, Dr. Meissner has made a profound and lasting difference for the HI community. CHI is delighted to honor him with this year’s Sweetest Researcher and Clinician Award.
Nicole Stewart, 2026 Be My Sugar Extraordinary Nurse Award
CHI is pleased to present the 2026 Be My Sugar Extraordinary Nurse Award to Nicole Stewart in recognition of the extraordinary care, dedication, and compassion she brings to children and families affected by congenital hyperinsulinism.
Since beginning her work at The Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2015, Nicole has been an invaluable partner to CHI. In her role as nurse coordinator, she provides outstanding support to patients and families while also helping CHI better understand community needs and the challenges families are facing.
Nicole’s insight, responsiveness, and commitment have strengthened CHI’s ability to support families living with HI. She has also played an important role in CHI family conferences held in partnership with CHOP, generously sharing her time, expertise, and care to help make these gatherings more informative, welcoming, and meaningful.
From helping families navigate urgent needs and ongoing care to serving as a trusted source of guidance and reassurance, Nicole makes a lasting difference in the lives of so many. CHI is delighted to honor her professionalism, compassion, and profound impact on the HI community with the Extraordinary Nurse Award.
Sheila Bose, 2026 Be My Sugar Sweetest Supporter Award
CHI is honored to present the 2026 Be My Sugar Sweetest Supporter Award to Sheila Bose in recognition of her decade of service, generosity, advocacy, and enduring commitment to the HI community.
Sheila joined CHI’s Board of Trustees in 2015, shortly after her baby son, Aneesh, passed away at just 23 days old from complications of congenital hyperinsulinism. From the beginning, she brought deep purpose, courage, and conviction to CHI’s work, helping advance efforts to document the urgent importance of early recognition of hypoglycemia and proper management of HI from birth.
During her 10 years on CHI’s Board, Sheila served as a dedicated advocate, fundraiser, and ambassador for the HI community. Her early fundraising helped CHI expand its research, advocacy, and awareness initiatives. She presented at conferences, shared her family’s story, participated in the CHI Collaborative Research Network prioritized research agenda process, and helped keep the need for timely diagnosis and care at the center of CHI’s mission.
Sheila has written powerfully about why awareness matters: “Hyperinsulinism is something everyone should know about because the worst consequences of the condition are all preventable with timely recognition and management. Check blood glucose. Glucose is a vital sign.” Her words capture the heart of CHI’s work: protecting babies, children, and adults from the devastating consequences of severe and prolonged hypoglycemia, including preventable brain injury and loss of life.
Throughout Sheila’s tenure with CHI, her advocacy has been driven not only by her commitment to the HI community but also by her devotion to her family. Together, Sheila and her husband, Rohit, have lovingly supported their children, Sameer and Annika, while honoring Aneesh’s memory. Through their resilience, love, and shared purpose, they have transformed profound personal loss into hope for other families, ensuring that Aneesh’s legacy lives on through their advocacy, compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those affected by HI.
As a Board Member Emeritus, Sheila continues to be a steadfast supporter and advocate. Her love for Aneesh and her commitment to the HI community have helped move CHI’s awareness, research, and advocacy work forward, bringing hope and support to families who should never have to face HI alone.
At The Highlawn, guests will enjoy a sought-after dining and entertainment experience in this distinctive venue, a landmark that has unique historic significance: The Highlawn’s location once served as a strategic overlook during the Revolutionary War and later served as a site for Thomas Edison’s World War I-era research efforts. Edison, a local resident, filmed an early motion picture (“The Great Train Robbery”) in the adjacent Eagle Rock Park, which was developed a few years later in Eagle Rock Reservation by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The Silent Auction
Each year, the Sugar Soirée features an exciting silent auction that draws the attention of both in-person attendees and virtual supporters from across the country to browse and bid on auction items to support the sweetest cause. This curated selection has included exclusive experience packages, premium wine and spirits, event tickets, baked goods, and so much more.
Do you have a good or service that you would like to donate? We invite friends and supporters to contribute whatever they wish — anything from delicious homemade cookies to a stay at a fabulous vacation spot. Please contact CHI Development Director Pam Weber-Leaf (pweberleaf@congenitalhi.org or 973-650-6367). Your generosity will help raise awareness, provide resources for families affected by the disease, and advance research.
More information on hotel accommodations and evening programming will be available soon.
The Sugar Soirée offers an unparalleled opportunity for sponsors to demonstrate their philanthropic commitment at this event, which brings together CHI community leaders from across the country in finance, healthcare, biotech, research, the arts and technology. For more information on sponsorships, please email Pamela Weber-Leaf at pweberleaf@congentialhi.org.
2026 Sugar Soirée Sponsors
as of August 1, 2026
Diamond Sponsor
Neighborhood Sponsor
