JDRF Blog

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).

Imagine being treated for one disease only to learn that form of therapy may lead to another grave condition. New research has revealed that some patients are diagnosed with autoimmune disorders following cancer immunotherapy.

What if people at risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) could curb the progression of the disease by a couple of years?

24-year old Jessica Williams, a long-time JDRF volunteer turned JDRF staff member who has been living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 14 years now, is focused on enjoying her life as much as she can. She credits the freedom she has to her insulin pump but keeping both has been a battle.

Last month, Canada’s Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) released their first annual report which amongst other recommendations, stated that all Canadians receiving life-sustaining therapy (eg. insulin) should qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

When Kelsey Levandoski learned about the DTC through a social media group, she wanted to take advantage of it. After jumping through many hoops to get her healthcare professional on board, Kelsey was denied not once, but twice before she decided she was going to have to advocate for herself.

Shawn Wicks was an elite athlete who held his health in high-regard, trained vigorously, and competed as an MMA fighter training in Muay Thai kickboxing, but he felt something was off – his feet were always sore and he was exhausted all of the time.

“I didn’t have the energy to train, I recall days sneaking out of the gym to drink an espresso so I could finish an hour-long workout… I just attributed it to work and stress.”

Happy Father’s Day!

There is not much that Cody Westman needs to do to convince his 6-year-old son, Graham, to be an active little boy, “he goes non-stop,” says Cody. “Ice hockey, road hockey, biking, skateboarding, drums, and I do it all with him. The hardest part can be remembering to stop for snacks while we’re at it.”