The Carousel Ball: A Denver Legacy Rooted in One Family’s Mission
Fifty years ago, Dana Davis’s diagnosis with type 1 diabetes inspired a movement that continues to change lives today.
Photo courtesy of CDF Archives 1982
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When Dana Davis was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of seven, her parents, Barbara and Marvin Davis, were determined to take action. What began as a family’s mission to support their daughter has since become one of Denver’s most cherished philanthropic traditions—The Carousel Ball.
Photo courtesy of CDF Archives 1978
To bring that mission to life, they founded the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and hosted the very first Carousel Ball on June 3, 1978, at the Denver Hilton Hotel. The evening promised elegance and purpose. A pre-ball celebration at the Davis home welcomed 400 guests under a carousel-themed tent, setting the tone for a weekend that raised $210,000—a record-breaking sum for the city. President Gerald R. Ford attended, along with celebrities like Lucille Ball and Kirk Douglas. The night ended with a stunning announcement: Marvin Davis pledged $1 million to establish a new diabetes center, now known as the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
Photo courtesy of Jensen Sutta
The Carousel Ball quickly became an annual highlight. Legendary performers—including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Beyoncé and Usher—have graced its stage, while Carousel Days, a carnival-style celebration for families, created cherished memories throughout the Denver metro area.
Though the event spent years alternating between Denver and Beverly Hills as the Carousel of Hope, it has now proudly returned home and is once again held annually in Denver. In recent years, The Carousel Ball has continued to raise millions to support groundbreaking research and compassionate care for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Photo courtesy of Jensen Sutta
Today, Dana Davis—whose diagnosis sparked this movement—serves as the Executive Director of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. Her leadership ensures that the mission her parents began remains as urgent and heartfelt as ever.
As we mark 50 years since Dana’s diagnosis, we celebrate the generosity, glamour, and grit that have fueled five decades of progress. But this milestone isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about building the future. With the support of our donors, volunteers, and community, we look forward to the next 50 years of impact.
Join us. Be part of the legacy. Help us move closer to a world without type 1 diabetes.
Photo courtesy of CDF Archives 1984
ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S DIABETES FOUNDATION
The Children’s Diabetes Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, focusing on patient support, diabetes research & prevention, and public awareness. The Children’s Diabetes Foundation, located in Aurora, CO, was established nearly 50 years ago by Barbara and Marvin Davis after their daughter, Dana, developed diabetes at the age of seven. The non-profit organization is dedicated to the support of research in diabetes and to providing the best possible clinical and educational programs for people with the disease. The Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and its world-renowned research programs, where thousands of patients with type 1 diabetes, children and adults alike, receive the finest diabetes care available. Thanks to the generous funding provided to the Center, all patients are welcome, regardless of their financial means.
