Dallas PULSE, North Texas’ women’s professional volleyball team in Major League Volleyball (MLV), announced a new sponsorship agreement with UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), naming UTSW the team’s Official Sports Medicine Partner. The partnership supports Dallas PULSE’s commitment to athlete wellness, performance, and long-term health on and off the court.

“UT Southwestern is known for having some of the best doctors and sports medicine specialists in the country, and that level of expertise matters when you’re building a world-class pro team,” said Grady Raskin, CEO of Dallas PULSE. “From elite athletic trainers to innovative care, this partnership strengthens our mission to prioritize athlete health, maximize performance, and set a new standard for how women’s professional sports teams support their players—today and for the long run.”

“UT Southwestern is proud to partner with the Dallas Pulse as the Official Team Doctors, bringing our nationally recognized family and sports medicine expertise to support these elite athletes with the highest standard of care,” said Antonia F. Chen, M.D., M.B.A., Chair and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UT Southwestern. “We look forward to helping advance women’s professional sports in North Texas while promoting performance, injury prevention, and long-term health.”

Professional volleyball is fast, physical, and relentlessly competitive. Every rally is a showcase  of power, speed, and precision. Dallas PULSE embodies this intensity and is already making waves in its inaugural season with a strong record among the top teams in the MLV. Behind impact performances across the entire roster, including dynamic outside hitters Mimi Colyer and Sofia Maldonado Diaz and former Olympian and team captain Natalia Valentin-Anderson, Dallas PULSE continues to build momentum at the highest level of women’s professional volleyball. 

In addition to UTSW, Dallas PULSE is supported by a growing roster of corporate partners to elevate the athlete and fan experience including BODYARMOR (Official Sports Drink), Sally Beauty (Official Beauty Supply), RideCentric (Official Transportation Partner), Hotel Indigo (Official Hotel Partner), RhinoSaucerous (Official Hot Sauce Partner), and Augment Wellness (Official Recovery Partner). 

The final regular-season home match is Sunday, May 3, when Dallas PULSE faces the Orlando Valkyries at 3 p.m. CT as part of Fan Appreciation. Activities throughout Comerica Center will include special photo opportunities, a fan poster signing, in-game shoutouts and more. The inaugural season has been fueled by dedicated fans who have brought the energy to every home game. That support has helped propel the PULSE into the playoffs. Tickets are available at dallaspulsevb.com. 

Major League Volleyball’s postseason at Comerica Center kicks off Thursday, May 7, with semifinal matches starting at 6:00 pm. The championship game for the $1 million prize is set for Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. CT. All matches will be broadcast on ION TV. 

Tickets for both the semifinals and championship matches at Comerica Center are available at provolleyball.com.

Dallas PULSE is North Texas’ women’s professional volleyball team, competing in Major League Volleyball’s 2026 season. Playing at Comerica Center in Frisco, Dallas PULSE echoes the energy, and heart of Dallas-Fort Worth – home to one of the nation’s largest and most passionate volleyball communities. For more information about the team, visit DallasPulseVB.com or follow the team on social media channels at @DallasPULSEVB for schedule updates, roster announcements, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Major League Volleyball, competing in its third season, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.

Every year, children in our communities are placed in foster care due to unsafe or unstable home environments. While foster care provides temporary, safe homes, there are not enough foster parents to support every child who needs one.

Foster care is often seen as a response to crisis, but it is also part of a larger system focused on early intervention and prevention. When families have access to support such as counseling, financial resources, and community guidance, many challenges can be addressed before they reach a breaking point. Strong community networks can help keep families together when it is safe to do so.

For children who do enter foster care, stability is critical. A consistent, supportive home can help a child continue school, maintain routines, and feel a sense of normalcy during a difficult time. Foster parents play an essential role not just by providing shelter, but by offering care, patience, and advocacy.

Supporting foster care does not always mean becoming a foster parent. It can also look like mentoring families, volunteering with local organizations, or simply raising awareness about the need. Small, consistent actions across a community can make a meaningful difference.

At its core, foster care is about ensuring that every child has a safe place to land. When communities invest in early support and step in when it is needed most, they help create stronger, more stable futures for children and families alike.

To learn more about fostering a child or how to get involved, click here!

The Fort Worth community came together on Saturday, April 18, at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel for the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Gala, “A Night of Hope,” raising $925,000 to accelerate life-changing research for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Chaired by Dabney and Kelly Poorter, the event welcomed more than 400 supporters, community leaders, and families impacted by T1D for a powerful program that blended personal storytelling with philanthropy. “My brother was diagnosed at the age of 6, and I began experiencing the same symptoms at the age of 26 while caring for my 7-month-old,” said Dabney Poorter. “This experience deepened my appreciation for Breakthrough T1D and its life-changing work in early detection, prevention, and treatment.”

CBS Texas anchor Karen Borta served as emcee, sharing her family’s personal connection to T1D, while auctioneer Wes Poole energized the room throughout the evening’s live auction.

Throughout the evening, Breakthrough T1D’s Youth Ambassadors – children living with type 1 diabetes and their siblings – greeted guests as they helped drive donations. Their enthusiasm not only supported the night’s fundraising success, but it also served as a reminder of the lives directly impacted by every dollar raised.

The program featured heartfelt remarks from Fort Worth board president David Muckleroy and Breakthrough T1D leaders Amy Camp, territory executive director, and Kristen Pool, Fort Worth chapter director, who highlighted the momentum in research and the tangible progress being made toward improved treatments and cures. “We must continue to fund the research until we can turn type 1 into type none,” concluded Amy Camp.

A highlight of the evening came from the Honoree Family – Gloria Moncrief, Erich Holmsten, and Monty Holmsten – who shared their personal journey with T1D. With no prior family history, Monty was diagnosed at age 11 after experiencing extreme thirst. Her diabetic alert dog, Holly, stole the show as she stood proudly beside Monty on stage while Monty shared a heartfelt letter she had prepared as an application to a new school —a powerful reminder of the daily realities of living with type 1 diabetes and the importance of continued support.

Guests also heard from the Fund A Cure Family, the Shuman family – Brooke and Kris Shuman along with their son Tyler – whose story underscored the impact of early screening and advancements like teplizumab, which can delay the onset of T1D. Kris was diagnosed at age 24, and when the family decided to test their children, they discovered their 12-year-old, Tyler, had antibodies linked to T1D. Their experience illustrated how donor support is directly changing lives and creating new possibilities for families.

Lexie Peterson, community relations & corporate giving coordinator at American Airlines, also known in the diabetes community as “The Divabetic” – a prominent T1D advocate, content creator, and influencer – kicked off the live auction experience, with American Airlines contributing miles to enhance packages and drive fundraising momentum. She encouraged the crowd to “let good take flight!”

The evening featured an exciting silent auction, chaired by Adelaide and Charlie Royer, and a high-energy live auction, chaired by Kate and Sonny Dykes, which offered one-of-a-kind experiences ranging from luxury travel and exclusive entertainment packages to private dining experiences. The live auction was followed by a Fund A Cure paddle raise, where 100 percent of donations go directly to research.

A highlight of the auction featured a one-of-a-kind canvas created by Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassadors. In a powerful moment, 30 Youth Ambassadors gathered at the front of the stage alongside the artwork – created using their individual fingerprints to form a beta cell, the insulin-producing cell destroyed in type 1 diabetes.

“This is why we are here tonight,” said auctioneer Wes Poole. “This is more than art. It represents the lives we are fighting for and the future we are working to change.”

Throughout the night, sponsors were recognized for their vital role in making the event possible, reinforcing the strong community commitment behind Breakthrough T1D’s mission.

The gala concluded with a celebration on the dance floor to the music of Manhattan, but the impact of the evening will extend far beyond, helping to fund critical research, advance breakthroughs, and bring hope to the millions of people living with type 1 diabetes.

Key sponsors included The Moncrief Family, Bonnie & Alan Petsche, GM Financial, TTI, Inc., Raider Express, Stacy Yates, Vista Bank, Sendera Title, Restore + Revive, Klein Tools, AquaRock, Lise & Tom Bessant, Higginbotham, Danielle & Josh McNamara, Type 1 Telehealth, and D&M Leasing.

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About Breakthrough T1D:
Founded in 1970 as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) and renamed the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in 2001, the organization rebranded in 2024 as Breakthrough T1D to reflect a bold commitment to improving the lives of both children and adults living with type 1 diabetes. As the leading global organization driving T1D research, advocacy and community engagement, Breakthrough T1D accelerates progress toward cures and better treatments while making everyday life easier for everyone affected. The North Texas and Oklahoma Territory comprises the Dallas, Fort Worth and Oklahoma Chapters that host major fundraising events across the region, including the annual luncheon in Dallas, galas in Dallas, Fort Worth, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City as well as local walks in The Colony, Durant, Tulsa, Fort Worth, and Oklahoma City. Visit https://www.breakthrought1d.org/dallasfortworth/ and email dallasfortworth@breakthrought1d.org or call 214-373-9808.