JDRF Blog

ViaCyte Inc., a privately held regenerative medicine company, is seeking residents of Alberta to participate in a promising JDRF-funded clinical trial in Edmonton. The purpose of this research is to determine the safety, tolerability and efficacy of PEC-Direct™ (also known as VC-02), an investigational therapy that may provide blood glucose control in a similar manner to what a “replacement pancreas” would do by producing insulin after it is surgically placed.

The first few months after Mirella Gallo’s 11-year-old daughter, Isabella, received a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis were very hard for her. “We were in shock and had no idea what it meant for her or our family”. With the support of Isabella’s nurses and doctors, the family learned how T1D would impact her day-to-day routine and her future. “We came to the realization that my daughter’s life would never be the same and that until a cure was found, she would be insulin dependent,” says Mirella.

Beta cells normally produce insulin, a chemical messenger that helps move sugar from food sources into cells throughout the body, which use it for fuel to stay alive. ​

We’re very excited to announce the winners of the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects Award Program for JDRF! Through the generous support of Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, the Program is awarding $5,000 dollars each for a total of $105,000 to help students living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with tuition and book costs as they pursue post-secondary education in a university, college or trade school.

Insulin has been the subject of many news stories recently as the high cost of insulin and other drugs has led to two US federal initiatives aimed at allowing the bulk importation of lower cost Canadian drugs.

JDRF has written to the BC government asking that all BC residents living with type 1 diabetes have affordable access to the Medtronic MiniMed 670G and the Tandem t:slim X2 by adding them to the province’s list of approved Tier 2 devices under the province’s insulin program.

Type 1 diabetes advocate, Samir Dattani, wants to make one thing clear; advocacy isn’t just about talking to members of Parliament. It can come in any form, so long as personal stories are being shared.

This year marks Miguel Alvarez’s 50th year living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). To recognize his monumental dia-versary, his sights are set on conquering two century-ride (100 mile) cycling challenges hosted by JDRF. The Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF iRides are destination rides in cities across the U.S. to raise funds for T1D research. Miguel’s journey is a remarkable testimony of how individuals living with T1D take control of their disease to pursue their passion.

“Our Ride first started with 8 stationary bikes and 20 people.”

Peter Oliver, one of the founders of the Oliver and Bonacini Restaurant Family and a passionate leader in the type 1 diabetes community, was there at the beginning.

Throughout my career as a Diabetes Nurse Educator I have been asked all kinds of questions from people living with type 1 diabetes and their families. I’ve taken this opportunity to answer the most common questions about type 1 diabetes management. Here are just a few of the ones I hear most frequently.

Each time Dessi Zaharieva shares her story about life with type 1 diabetes (T1D) she not only leaves her audience inspired, but in awe. That is because the engaging 30-year-old with an indomitable spirit never let her condition impede her dreams of becoming a consummate academic in the field of diabetes and a highly accomplished mixed martial artist.

One of the greatest fears among many people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is insulin therapy-associated hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).