Category: Uncategorized

March 4, 2020

On March 11, 2020, advocates living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) will share with Manitoba Members of the Legislative Assembly their experience living with T1D and the importance of extending insulin pump coverage to people of all ages. Currently, in Manitoba, to qualify under the current insulin pump program, you must be under the age of 18.

Our Manitoba Lobby Day has been fundamental in securing government funding for T1D research and raising awareness. The delegates raise their voices as advocates, representing the millions of people living with T1D, and are empowered to continue to use their voice to make change. 

We’re so happy to share our 8 finalists with you – meet our 2020 Manitoba Lobby Day Delegates!

Click to view video submission	Tyler Polonuk Age: 17 From: East Saint Paul, MB
	Ashlynn Argo​ Age: 16 From: Sunnyside, MB
Click to view video submission	Julia Hird Age: 19 From: Winnipeg, MB
	Ellen Karr Age: 71 From: Winnipeg, MB
Click here to view video submission	Leah Wiebe Age: 54 From: Steinbach, MB
	Jenna Basson Age: 34 From: The Pas, MB
	Spencer Christie Age: 19 From: Winnipeg, MB
Click here to view video submission	Noah Silvaggio Age: 17 From: Winnipeg, MB

Take part in our lobby days by signing up to become a JDRF Advocate. Your voice will help advocate for T1D research and raise awareness about the T1D community.

For more information about JDRF 2020 Manitoba Lobby Day visit jdrf.ca/advocacy

March 3, 2020

*Note: as of March 3, JDRF Canada welcomes the release of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report and its recommendations to address the diabetes epidemic. Read the press release here*

JDRF President and CEO Dave Prowten testified recently in front of the Standing Committee on Finance as part of their 2020 Pre-Budget Consultations. Also appearing on JDRF’s behalf was Angie Sullivan, parent of a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The pair delivered a powerful and compelling testimony in support of our 2020 budget recommendations as well as a new CIHR proposal from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to celebrate the 2021 anniversary of the discovery of insulin by creating a $100 million diabetes research fund.

Check out their testimonies below!

March 4, 2020

She was the youngest person in the room, and her presentation was met with resounding applause from the entire audience. Fourteen-year old Anne Pettigrew made an impressive and compelling presentation at last month’s Ontario pre-budget consultations in Scarborough.

Anne presented JDRF’s #AccessforAll recommendation to the Minister of Finance Rod Philips,  Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, and local Member of Provincial Parliament Aris Babikian by telling her story of how the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) has saved her life on more than one occasion. 

“My family is able to make sacrifices to choose to afford this [device] for me. But not everybody has that luxury. Type 1’s who cannot make the sacrifices still need the technology, still need health security and still deserve life. And CGM’s save lives.”

What is the pre-budget submission process and why is it important?

Ahead of the Budget cycle each year, Ontarians are invited to submit their thoughts, ideas, and recommendations to inform the provincial budget. The government provides several opportunities where individuals, businesses, and organizations can engage in this process. Written submissions, oral presentations, survey responses, and general comments are accepted in late Fallearly Winter, before the official Budget is released in the Spring. This is an important opportunity to tell the government directly about what matters most to the over 96,000 people who live with T1D in the province.

Recognizing this as an opportunity to have our collective voice heard, JDRF also submitted a written recommendation to ensure our request is considered.

Anne’s remarks not only indicated the importance of how advanced glucose monitors help people live better, but how this investment makes financial sense for the government as well. Severe hypoglycemia alone costs our Ontario health care system more than $5 million annually, adding to the hallway health care problem. Funding these technologies addresses an unmet medical need and is crucial to ending hallway medicine by reducing the economic burden that diabetes imposes on our healthcare system.

Anne’s full presentation below.

Now it’s your turn. Tell your representative how provincial funding for CGM and FGM devices will help people with type 1 diabetes live healthier, easier, safer lives. Click here to send them a message now – and join the movement.

                                        This blog is sponsored by

February 27, 2020

Fifteen-year-old Kamilla Kozuback recalls fighting back tears as she successfully landed her final jump at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games this past January, placing eighth as one of the youngest snowboarders in the competition to ever represent Canada. 

It was only two years before this when she was given her first dose of insulin, receiving an official diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), and asking the doctor if she’d ever be able to snowboard again.

“It was the first thing I wanted to know…whether I’d be able to snowboard or compete again,” she said. “It was all I could think about.”

With the support of her mother, Brigitta – who as a nurse was able to diagnose her daughter after observing her symptoms back in 2017 – Kamilla did everything in her power to take control of her disease, ensuring that nothing would get in the way of her dream of being a competitive snowboarder.

“She was not afraid… after we got home from the hospital, she grabbed the syringe from my hand and said ‘let me do it,’” her mom recalls. “That was when I knew she’d be okay.”

Kamilla’s life did a 180 degree turn that July 1^st. She was met with incredible amounts of adversity, but says she saw it as an opportunity to work harder towards her aspirations of being a professional snowboarder. She woke up every morning, trained at the gym – lifting weights, maintaining her cardio – all with her new diagnosis of T1D on her back.

With her mother being a nurse, she was able to talk openly about her disease and track her blood sugar levels with her support – monitoring how different activities affected her diabetes.

It wasn’t until her trip to Switzerland in January, though, where she felt her hard work and determination paid off. Kamilla had been selected to represent Canada in the Youth Olympic snowboarding games.

“I was hit with a wave of happiness, I don’t even have the words,” she said. “It was the most amazing thing, to be there, to compete and be one of the youngest girls in the competition.”

All while managing T1D.

“I tell Kamilla all the time, it’s ok to have bad days, it’s ok to be upset. But turn that into motivation…I was so happy to see her land that jump and compete in Switzerland…It was unbelievable.”

Today, Kamilla continues to work on managing her disease alongside her mom, and a Syberian Husky who also has T1D.

“I want to be in the next Olympics,” she says. “I’m going to keep working hard, and training all I can…despite my diabetes.”

February 10, 2020 

 

January 25, 2020

­­For years, researchers have been trying to find the potential causes for type 1 diabetes (T1D), the autoimmune disease in which the body destroys insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, resulting in insufficient insulin secretion and high blood glucose levels. The origins of the disease are still unknown, although research indicates that both genetics and the environment play a role.

Dr. Suheda Erener, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, is currently investigating whether micro-RNAs – a family of single-stranded molecules which are key regulators of gene expression and beta cell function – can predict the development of T1D.

She and her colleagues are profiling the micro-RNAs of children with recent onset diabetes. According to their research, some micro-RNAs play critical roles in T1D and may help establish which individuals are at risk of the disease.   

Micro-RNAs have emerged as important regulators of gene expression in the last two decades and changes in micro-RNA expression within tissues have been detected in many disorders including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Identifying which genes and signaling pathways these micro-RNAs modulate may not only increase scientists’ understanding of the underlying causes of T1D, but also open up novel therapies to stop beta cell destruction and/or enhance their survival and function. As well, the accurate prediction of T1D using micro-RNAs as biomarkers in individuals with no symptoms may allow for the preservation of beta cell function early during the course of the disease, delaying its onset or curing it altogether.

For more informative articles on health and type 1 diabetes, visit our JDRF Blog. 

January 25, 2020

After spending weeks in hospital and ICU due to severe weight loss, inconsistent vision and pancreatitis, Meagan Lane was eventually released with a diagnosis that would change her life forever. At just 12 years old, Meagan had to learn how to manage the complicated world of type 1 diabetes.

With the support of her parents, she became independent and proactive—starting on a pump which helped her deliver her insulin automatically. An avid athlete, Meagan wanted life to remain as normal as possible. She played both Basketball and Volleyball for Team Saskatchewan in 2008 as well as  USports/CIS Volleyball for the University of Regina.

Meagan, now 26 years old, has seen the treatments for T1D improve ten-fold since being diagnosed 15 years ago. Keeping up to date with technology to manage her diabetes has been a priority for her. Upon a recent appointment with her endocrinologist, Meagan learned she would need to start with a new insulin pump that would give her the best control possible, but would also result on relying on a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)— an expense she wasn’t prepared for, despite being a working professional with private insurance.

As a French immersion teacher in Saskatchewan, Meagan had access to private health coverage. However, her coverage did not extend to a CGM. So, she took it upon herself to write a letter to her healthcare provider, outlining the direction that insulin pump treatment is moving towards CGM usage and the limitations her coverage currently imposed.

Meagan’s individual advocacy efforts were shortly rewarded. At first instance, she was unable to purchase a different insurance plan that would provide extra coverage for her T1D necessities, and any premium plan options were so expensive for what was covered that the cost nullified the coverage received. She was left with the realization that she might be confined by the plan she had and was concerned that, in the long run, she would have to choose between the career she loved or her health. Luckily after many conversations and correspondence, Meagan recieved the good news that her plan would  officially cover the cost of her CGM. 

Meagan’s story is not uncommon and that’s why JDRF has developed a resource to help you advocate to your employer or insurance provider. Our Toolkit will help you navigate the advocacy world so that you can contact decision makers to ensure your interests are being considered.

"Your voice DOES matter, and my story is evidence that advocacy works and that you can make a difference for yourself and for the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who live with this disease," Meagan says.

 “My only advice for people with private coverage obstacles is to work with your endocrinologist and talk about your story with your providers,” she adds. “Your endocrinologist is also an incredible tool and resource in your advocacy. They can speak to your management, what you require, and why it is important for you to have coverage. Don’t feel like you are battling alone –you have an entire medical team who are on your side, too.”

To learn more about the toolkit and download it yourself visit www.jdrf.ca/accessforall

January 25, 2020

As Canada continues to break its silence on the discussion around mental illness, this #BellLetsTalk Day we thought it was important to shed light on the power and resilience of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, who navigates the emotional challenges of living with a disease that has no cure, every day.

This past November, we launched an awareness campaign for National Diabetes Awareness Month called Dear Type 1™. We asked the community to write an open letter to their disease, and the responses we received were overwhelming. As we riffled through hundreds of entries, we learned of the struggles and emotional burdens you face on a day-to-day basis, either as someone living with the disease, or as a friend or family member of someone living with T1D. Some called their diabetes names — cursing its existence — while others explained how they turned their adversity into strength and motivation, in order to live a healthier life.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease that requires 24/hour attention, constant check-ins with your physical and mental self, poking and prodding and so much more — resulting in high levels of anxiety, which can also lead to depression.

#BellLetsTalkDay is a day dedicated to breaking down the stigma that comes with mental illness, and we wanted to share some of the #DearType1 stories that spell out the emotional burden of living with this disease in such a raw and honest way.

We thank those of you who took the time to submit your letters, helping us raise awareness, break down some of the misconceptions often associated with T1D and drive action in mental health and T1D. Your candid insights and honest thoughts about this disease are what makes us work harder for a cure every day.

Until we find that cure, we will continue to advocate for you and fuel leading-edge research to create a world where everyone touched by T1D can live healthier, safer and easier lives.

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This #BellLetsTalk Day, help fight the stigma, reach out to friends and family and offer your support…

Are you newly diagnosed and struggling with how to manage it all? JDRF offers programs that connect you with the T1D community to find emotional support and helpful resources to tackle the daily challenges of living with type 1

Learn more about it here.

December 18, 2019

Almost 100 years ago, Canadian researchers successfully isolated insulin to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) in what is considered one of the most dramatic and important breakthroughs in medicine. This Nobel prize-winning discovery revolutionized treatment options for people with T1D, allowing them to live longer and healthier lives. Since then, millions of lives have been saved, yet the prevalence of T1D continues to increase – and as of today, there is no cure for the disease.

In a new funding opportunity led by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), JDRF will partner with the federal agency to fund several new team grants that aim to uncover new mechanisms that control the onset and progression of diabetes and its related complications. The new team grants will also hope to develop new translational solutions aimed at prevention, treatment and delivery of care for diabetes. This funding opportunity is part of JDRF and CIHR’s ongoing Partnership to Defeat Diabetes first announced in 2017.

“As we approach the insulin centenary, JDRF is aiming to fund new research that takes us beyond insulin therapy as we know it, and into an era where we have multiple options for improved management of T1D, and ultimately find cures for the disease,” says Dr. Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer at JDRF Canada. “This opportunity to fund multidisciplinary research in partnership with CIHR is one of several ways we are striving towards that aim.”

Other organizations partnering in this funding opportunity include Diabetes Canada, Fonds de recherche du Québec–Santé (FRQS), Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC) and Mitacs. For more information, please click here.

December 5, 2019

National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) has officially come to an end, and we cannot thank you enough for your overwhelming support and participation.

Here are some of the great initiatives you took part on that helped make this NDAM so special:

You shared your Dear Type 1™ stories, and it made a strong impact

This November we asked you, the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, to share your stories, help raise money and support leading edge T1D research. You responded to our ask—submitting over 155 #DearType1 letters—bravely shedding light on your struggles, successes and experiences living with type 1, or knowing someone who does. The struggles of this 24/h disease are often forgotten. By sharing your stories, you helped educate readers, and advocate for change. Thank you so much for opening up to the community through #DearType1.

With each submission, we were lucky to receive the support of Ascencia, who donated $5 for every letter sent in. We greatly appreciate their help.

Our #deartype1 initiative was such a success that Tandem Diabetes Care has stepped forward with a challenge to continue this momentum! For every story shared during the month of December, Tandem will give $5 to JDRF Canada, up to $7500. Share your story and help change the way people talk about living with T1D.

You toured Dr. Kieffer’s lab with us and learned about stem cell therapies

Throughout NDAM, we also wanted to share exciting research developments with you. That’s why we were so excited to bring you to Dr. Kieffer’s lab live to update you on stem-cell therapies, and allow you to ask questions about this exciting field of T1D research. Your engagement on our Facebook live was so encouraging, and re-affirmed the importance of these partnerships for JDRF. Thank you for tuning in and learning with us.

You advocated with us at Queen’s Park

We also had the opportunity to take you with us to Queen’s Park in Toronto, ON, where we sat down with advocates in the industry partnering with MPPs to discuss the need for affordable, and accessible devices like CGMs and FGMs in the province. A huge thanks to the JDRF delegates who took part in these efforts advocating for access to the best health technology for every Canadian living with T1D.

You’re the reason why we can move forward

Because of your overwhelming support and donations throughout NDAM, the Miller family was so inspired by the T1D community, they stepped up to match all donations until the end of November, up to $40,000. We thank the Millers so much for their gratitude and support in moving us closer to our goal.

Because of you, this NDAM we were able to surpass our fundraising goal. Thank you so much for your generous support.

A response like this is the driving force behind supporting ground-breaking T1D research. From artificial pancreases to new advancements in stem cell replacement therapy, we continue to grow closer to better treatment therapies and cures for this disease.

While this progress is tremendous, we continue to encourage this momentum in T1D research breakthroughs. We can only ensure that the most promising research continues to take place with your help.

We promise to continually fight for you today, and every day—advocating for progress and partnering with lead researchers and health care providers so you can live a longer, healthier life until one day we find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Thank you to everyone for making this NDAM so special.

Please continue to share your #Deartype1 stories and raise awareness about T1D, because every T1D experience matters.

December 4, 2019

Beth Miller is a driven athlete with an indomitable spirit and a passion for life. At 16 years old, the Calgary resident has competed nationally in skiing and is currently a competitive rower who has represented her province twice at the National Rowing Championships – all while living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease that has challenged her daily since the young age of six.       

“It was a shock,” says Beth, recalling her diagnosis. “I was dancing back then, too, and managing my condition with sports was incredibly difficult. Yet we worked on it as a family; my parents and two older brothers were very supportive, and after much practice and trial and error, the routine eventually turned habit.”

The Millers joined JDRF to be part of a community with other families living with T1D and began fundraising for the charity through its signature events like the annual Walk. A guest speaker at JDRF’s local gala when she was in just first grade, Beth succeeded in amassing a record number of donations.

“JDRF gave me a platform to connect with others and an active voice to move towards change and have an impact,” she says.

“Being involved (with JDRF) was important because we were helping to raise money and contribute to its mission and research towards a cure,” adds her mother, Heather, who served on the gala and Walk committees over the years.

Last year, Beth took part in JDRF’s  Kids for a Cure Lobby Day where she travelled to Ottawa to share her experiences and raise awareness about the challenges of living with a 24/7 condition.

“It was so cool,” she relates enthusiastically. “It opened my eyes to the world of lobbying and advocacy.”

Today, Beth’s father, Ron, is vice-chair on JDRF’s National Board of Directors. As a long-time JDRF supporter, the family has decided to generously match all donations to the organization (up to $100,000) between now and December 31^st.

“We wanted to give back,” says Heather, “and remind everyone that the holiday season can be a time of giving gifts towards change. Our hope is to motivate people to go one step further.”

As Beth prepares to enter university, she is hopeful for a day with more doors of opportunity and less limitations.

“Not many know the effort that goes into managing T1D each day and all the trials behind the scenes,” says Heather. “It is so time-consuming on top of school, sports and a job. Yet Beth is an accomplished athlete with big dreams and talents that run deep – someone who shows us that you can still do everything with T1D if you put in the hard work.”

While a world without T1D would be the ultimate dream come true, Beth remains inspired by recent advancements in research and their potential to change lives in the future.

“The movement towards a closed-loop system technology (i.e., artificial pancreas) would allow better self-management and give me more confidence as a competitive athlete,” she explains, “while research into stem cells feels like progress is being made and that we are closer to a cure.”

December 2, 2019

JDRF has supported research in beta cell replacement for more than a decade, aiming to make a stem cell-based treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D) a reality. The goal is to enable a large number of people with T1D to benefit from a procedure similar to islet transplantation, whereby transfer of donor-derived islets enables long-term insulin independence in some patients. Using a renewable stem cell source would overcome the reliance on donor islets for the procedure, opening up the possibility of treating far more patients than is currently feasible.

Another challenge in developing this approach as a long-lasting treatment for T1D is ensuring optimum survival and function of the transplanted cells. In recent years, researchers have worked diligently to make islet transplants more successful through the use of ‘scaffolding’ technology. A scaffold is an artificial structure capable of supporting three-dimensional tissue formation.

Dr. Purushothaman Kuppan, a JDRF-funded investigator at the University of Alberta, is developing a new, modifiable scaffold device designed to increase islet graft survival and function among people with T1D, which would improve transplantation outcomes and also reduce or eliminate the need for systemic immunosuppressive drugs.