Rugiero Promise Foundation celebrates 15 years of championing diabetes research

At Michigan Medicine, many of our greatest breakthroughs are possible because of generous supporters who recognize the importance of medical research in finding new treatments and cures.

For many, generosity means even more than giving a gift. It’s about bringing people together to celebrate and champion a cause that matters.

For 15 years, the Rugiero Promise Foundation has exemplified this spirit at its annual Casino Royale event, uniting the community to raise crucial funds and awareness for lifesaving diabetes research.  

Honoring a beloved father

In 2008, the Rugiero family lost their father, Antonio, to complications from diabetes. 

One year later, they continued the Italian tradition of holding a special memorial celebration.

“We held a gathering and over a hundred people showed up to pay their respects,” says Anthony Rugiero, Antonio’s son. “My dad was a great man and loved by many. He was a very generous individual and helped a lot of people. My brothers and I said, ‘Wow, this is wonderful. We have everybody together. We should do something with this.’”

The family decided they would focus on supporting diabetes research, and Rugiero established the Rugiero Promise Foundation to facilitate fundraising efforts.

They also considered what type of fundraiser they would like to hold. 

“My father was in the restaurant business,” Rugiero says. “Every year, he would take my brothers and me to the restaurant show in Vegas. We had such a great time, and so many great memories. So, we decided that a casino night would be a great tribute to my father and a way to raise money for the University of Michigan.”

The power of community

The Rugiero Promise Foundation’s first Casino Royale Night was held at the Italian American Club of Livonia and was attended by about 150 people.

The event has grown each year since and has changed venues to accommodate the increasing number of participants. This year, Rugiero hopes to host 1,000 guests.

“This is not a stuffy event,” he says. “It is a lot of fun with a lot of moving parts. We have a small live auction, a silent auction, music, the casino events, and entertainment during the dinner. It’s phenomenal.”

Some recent milestones include the foundation surpassing its $1 million fundraising goal — and setting a goal for a second million — and the establishment of an endowed fund to support diabetes research in perpetuity.

“The commitment of the Rugiero family and the Rugiero Promise Foundation to Diabetes Research at the University of Michigan has been nothing short of amazing,” says Peter Arvan, Ph.D., the William K. and Delores S. Brehm Professor of Type 1 Diabetes Research and professor of internal medicine and molecular and integrative physiology. “Year after year, Anthony and his clan have worked tirelessly to assemble interested people to raise funds for critical research projects in both type 2 and type 1 diabetes, and never have these efforts been needed more than now.”

15 years of impact

Not only is Casino Royale fun and community-focused, but the foundation takes great care to maximize the impact of every dollar raised.

“We focus on keeping costs low to maximize what goes to U-M,” Rugiero says. “I work with my restaurant suppliers to donate goods and services. Auction items are donated, and everyone on our board is a volunteer and donates their skills, energy, and passion to make the event a success.”

“The Rugiero family’s commitment goes beyond generous giving. it’s about building a lasting legacy and bringing people together to make a difference,” says Hayley Wasser, senior associate director, Michigan Medicine Office of Development. “Their tireless efforts to maximize every dollar raised deepens their philanthropic impact, and their partnership has helped drive real progress toward breakthroughs in diabetes care.”

Over the last 15 years, one experience that stands out to Rugiero is touring Arvan’s research lab.

“The foundation board was able to see the research up close — how diabetes affects the pancreas, the difference between types 1 and 2 diabetes — it was eye opening and motivating for all of us,” Rugiero says.

The Rugiero family and the board of the Rugiero Promise Foundation look forward to hosting their fifteenth anniversary Casino Royale event on November 1, 2025. 

Their dedication is an inspiration to the Michigan Medicine community and the countless patients and families who are touched by their generosity.

“When we think of diabetes care and finding a cure, partnering with the Rugiero Promise Foundation has set the standard,” says Wasser.

“It is said that a rising tide raises all boats, and the philanthropy generated by the Rugiero family and the Rugiero Promise Foundation make such a difference to ensure that our diabetes program stays afloat,” Arvan says. “The diabetes team at the University of Michigan works so hard for the community, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see this community working so hard for us.”

If you are interested in learning more about supporting diabetes research and care at Michigan Medicine, please visit the Brehm Center for Diabetes Research giving page. Thank you for your generosity.

About the Look to Michigan campaign

This gift is part of the Look to Michigan fundraising campaign, which aims to create transformative answers to health care’s biggest challenges for the benefit of people in our state and beyond. Building on 175 years of leadership in medicine and as part of the University of Michigan’s Vision 2034 strategic framework for impact, we are breaking new ground in patient care, research, medical and graduate education, health equity, and health care facilities. Together, we can improve and save lives. For more information, visit michiganmedicine.org/giving/look-to-michigan.