October 1, 2025 – One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events and the country’s premier team stationary cycling event will be taking place in Montréal, Québec and Toronto, Ontario on October 9 and 16 respectively. Breakthrough T1D Ride is a high-energy event that sees hundreds of corporate executives and teams leave the office behind as they pedal for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Participants will take part by riding hundreds of stationary bikes set up in core downtown Montréal and Toronto locations. Additional events are being held in offices, gyms, and spin studios across the country, all having the same goal – helping Breakthrough T1D fund the most promising research that improves the lives of people living with this disease today, as we drive towards cures for tomorrow, and a world free from T1D.
T1D is an autoimmune disease that impacts almost 300,000 Canadians. People with T1D must administer insulin daily in order to stay alive. And even with careful management, there is the risk of long-term complications like kidney failure, blindness, amputation or even death.
Since the Ride launched in 1986, corporate Canada has raised over $72 million to accelerate the pace of critical T1D research and leading the way to better outcomes for the T1D community. Due to advances in research over the past five decades, approximately 25 years have been added to the lifespan of a person living with T1D and receiving the latest care. But insulin remains the only treatment, there is no way to prevent developing T1D, and there are no cures.
“The Ride is an exciting team building event that lets people take a break from their regular workday and pedal for a cure alongside their colleagues in support of Canadians living with type 1 diabetes. We are thrilled to have Rides in Montréal and Toronto, and volunteer-led events across Canada,” says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada.
“This event has been running continuously for nearly 40 years, and in that time, we have made significant breakthroughs in the management of this disease and into potential cures. We are so grateful to all our riders and their supporters who will help us get over the finish line – a world without T1D,” she continues.
About Breakthrough T1D Canada
As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps to make every day better for those living with the disease while driving toward cures.
Since the discovery of insulin, Canada has remained at the forefront of T1D research. Breakthrough T1D is committed to investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with governments to address issues that impact the T1D community, and supporting individuals facing this disease.
About type 1 diabetes (T1D)
T1D is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas makes little to no insulin. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood glucose levels; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people, and an estimated 300,000 in Canada. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for over 70% of all T1D diagnoses nationally.
Additionally, Canada has one of the highest rates of diagnosis in the world, and it’s unknown why. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, researchers believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.
For more information about Breakthrough T1D Canada or to arrange interviews, contact:
Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager
Breakthrough T1D Canada
T. 647.789.2322
E. rkapelus@breakthroughT1D.ca
