KDSP hosted its fifth Kirby Challenge on Sunday, October 4, raising donations for Breakthrough T1D, the leading global organization for Type 1 Diabetes research. After an eight-year hiatus, the adult field day fundraiser returned with its tried-and-true formula: one day, ten events, one big dumb trophy.
The Kirby Challenge began in 2015 and carried on through 2018. The first four Kirby Challenges were born of pure, unapologetic competitiveness: ten events, a lot of planning, and a lot of grown adults playing paintball, eating habanero peppers, and pulling hammys. Then Brock Kirby, chairman of the Kirby Challenge, went freelance, COVID hit, and a two-year pause turned into eight.
This year, the Kirby Challenge returned to raise funds for Breakthrough T1D, the leading global Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization. Donations came through via Kirby Challenge entrance fees for prospective challengers in honor of 13-year-old Teddy Kirby, Brock’s son, who was diagnosed with Breakthrough T1D in 2024. With no family history, the T1D diagnosis hit the Kirby family out of nowhere with a steep learning curve and a cognitive, emotional, and financial load that never clocks out.
The event was held in Sherwood, Oregon, at the Langer’s Entertainment Center, where participants took part in feats of strength and intelligence. The complete itinerary included Sit and Reach, Grip Strength, Pop-a-shot, Bowling, Darts, Sports & Pop Culture Trivia, Wall Sit, Vertical Leap, and Big Buck Hunter. The Kirby Challenge field was populated by family friends, agency friends, former professional athletes, an Olympian or two, and Teddy’s buddies. One champion emerged: Ben Donahue
“I started this thing because I wanted to beat my friends. I’m bringing it back, with my friends, because I want to beat this disease. And I will still also be trying to beat my friends,” remarks Kirby on the philanthropic field day presented by KDSP. “There is no cure. Yet. But the science is moving faster than ever. My son Teddy competes in lacrosse, basketball, track, and football. T1D adds a layer of difficulty to every practice and every game. He does hard things every day that nobody sees. This was for Teddy and for the millions of people with T1D who carry this thing around every single day. I’m endlessly thankful to everyone who came out to support.”
Scott Sullivan, a co-founder of KDSP, won the second annual Kirby Challenge in 2016. In its new form, the Challenge aimed the pent-up competitive energy that had lain dormant for eight years toward something that matters. Reemerging in 2026, it’s clear that the Kirby Challenge is back, older than ever, and here to stay for a good cause.
If you’d like to make a donation to T1D research, you can do so here: http://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/kirbychallenge
