Here’s why these families are In to End Diabetes 

July 17, 2020

At JDRF our mission is to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications through the support of research. Every dollar we are able to direct toward this critical research comes from our donors. Some of them have joined our exclusive giving club “In To End Diabetes” by committing to a monthly donation. With their ongoing generosity and dedication to ending T1D,  monthly donors are accelerating the pace of research for this invasive, and demanding disease which affects over 300,000 Canadians – children and adults alike. This month, we wanted to recognize some of our amazing monthly donors and thank them for their support. Their stories will help you understand why they’re In to End Diabetes. Check them out below.

Shelagh. Calgary, AB.

Shelagh’s nine-year-old son Graham was diagnosed with T1D two years ago. After feeling unwell for some time, he was eventually given an official diagnosis and now remains resilient as ever – bearing a tough exterior while rocking his ‘I have diabetes and I’m allowed to have candy’ t-shirt.

“I worry about him all the time,” said Shelagh, who says she’d do anything to take this 24/hour disease away from him and believes that nothing in his life should be restricted because of T1D.

Being a monthly donor for Shelagh means helping kids make this disease livable and manageable, and eventually turning type one into type none. She says aside from the research JDRF avidly funds, JDRF events also keep her son excited, and hopeful.

“The first gala we ever went to was a blast,” she said. “As we were leaving [Graham] turned to us and said ‘See? I told you diabetes can be fun!’”

Jill. Halifax, NS.

Watching her niece deal with the stressors that came with her T1D diagnosis back in 2016 was tough for Jill. Observing how she manages her disease every day, she says, is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and served as a trigger point for Jill to give back in any way that she could.

 “I heard of JDRF through the radio and thought I’d find a way to get involved.” Jill added that monthly donations provide her with the opportunity to regularly fund T1D research for people like her niece.

Jill says she wants to get to a place where her niece could go to bed at night, not having to worry about managing a 24/hour disease. Through monthly donations, she hopes to one day help find a cure for her, and give her a life free of worry.

“JDRF is an international organization – [they’re] all over and working hard to help people who live with type 1…I’ll do anything I can to make her life a little simpler.”

Michelle. Regina, SK.

Several years ago, Michelle used to spend most of her days in the air. She flew as a commercial pilot until she began to feel unwell. It wasn’t until she had an aviation medical examination done that she discovered she was living with type 1 diabetes. 

As a result, Michelle was forced to change careers, and now works as an engineer.

“I almost don’t remember life before diabetes,” she said, adding how much of the day she spends thinking about, managing and monitoring her diabetes.

She decided that JDRF was an organization she wanted to give back to, and on top of being a monthly donor, she now volunteers. “JDRF does such important work…having a sense of community is a huge, and just normalizing the physical and mental side of type 1 is something I want to help with – supporting families and people [with T1D] the best I can.”

Giles. Toronto, ON.

Giles describes his fourteen-year-old son as the ‘poster child for T1D.’

Between school and AA hockey, he maintains stellar blood glucose levels and continues to adapt to the ever-evolving diabetes technology, rocking his pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on and off the ice.

“He doesn’t really like doing T1D-specific things,” says Giles, “He likes playing regular sports, and doesn’t want to be defined by [his disease].”

The family has been part of JDRF’s monthly giving program for yearsand while they are lucky to have coverage for their son’s diabetes equipment, Giles recognizes other families aren’t. “Everyone should have access to that kind of technology…we know JDRF is advocating for that.”

“This is a disease that can be cured, and we will give as much as we possibly can to help achieve that.”

Feeling inspired by these amazing monthly donors? You can also join the movement to help drive diabetes research forward. Join us today and tell the world that you are In to End Diabetes.

June 23, 2020

Your stories make all the difference.

The COVID-19 pandemic we’ve all been living through presents both a problem and an opportunity in terms of JDRF’s advocacy efforts.

As quarantine restrictions are lifted and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the stark reality we’re facing is that all levels of government have had to expend vast sums of public money on unbudgeted COVID-19 relief efforts. In the post-pandemic world, securing public funding for diabetes technologies is sure to be an uphill battle.

At the same time, these governments are increasingly seeing the value of virtual care models to help deliver health care at a distance.

The crisis has also demonstrated the important role that remote monitoring technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) can play in reducing physical contact between frontline health care workers and their patients.

Working together, we can still achieve public funding for these technologies, making them affordable and accessible for all and helping reduce the out-of-pocket costs for Canadians living with T1D.

Please email your provincial or territorial representative today in support of JDRF’s #AccessForAll campaign.

When submitting your email it’s important to personalize your message by explaining how public coverage for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and/or flash glucose monitoring (FGM) would be life-changing for those living with type 1 diabetes. This will ensure you are sending an impactful message to decisionmakers.

Before approving public spending, elected officials want to know about the difference that spending will make in the lives of their constituents. Your personal story will make all the difference. It’s the impact the technology will make on your life that will move them to action.

Personalizing your letter is easy. Here are a few examples of Advocate emails sent this June:

“Our daughter was diagnosed at age 4 1/2 in January of 2018…[S]he suffered a severe hypoglycemic event where she was losing consciousness and ended up in the hospital. We got a CGM days after this happened and have had much better results… [CGM] allows us to keep her in range longer and have a better A1C. This will prevent long term health complications and is more cost effective than hospital visits and complications from T1D.~Susan Sinclair, Vancouver, BC”

***

“Our daughter has had type 1 diabetes for 10 years and her continuous glucose monitor has been life changing. It helps keep her safe – she doesn’t always feel her low blood sugars and used to have problems during the night. The continuous glucose monitor allows our family to get much needed rest during the night with the comfort of knowing she is safe. ~Michele Patton, Misssissauga, ON”

***

“This device allows my daughter the independence she deserves, while keeping her safe. Something as simple as going to bed for the night, isn’t simple with diabetes. A CGM with it’s alarms is a game changer! ~Ann-Marie Hulse, Newmarket, ON”

***

“I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 27 years, always struggling with low blood sugars with no symptoms… Five years ago I seized, again, and I knew if I wanted to live I needed to get a CGM… I have had perfect blood sugar… [and] two healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies with the help of the CGM… CGM and FGM is not just life changing, its life saving. It needs to be covered! ~Jennifer Dyck, Winkler, MB”

***

“Myself and two of our three children live with Type 1 diabetes. Having the Dexcom cgm for all of us helps me to sleep at night knowing that I’ll be woken up if any of us go low. It makes a super stressful life a little bit easier! ~Robyn Devine, Blackfalds, AB”

I have type 1 diabetes (T1D) and am worried I’ll have to go into the hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak. How can I prepare?

April 22, 2020

2. Insulin and injection or pump supplies

 If you use a pump: sufficient supplies (including reservoirs and filling mechanism (or pods if you use OmniPod), infusion sets, inserter devices), charging cable and/or battery

March 26, 2020

Dear JDRF family,

Over the last few weeks, I have been blown away by the strength, resilience and generosity demonstrated by you, our JDRF family. I am reminded of how privileged we are to have your continued support. Thank you for everything you do.

Because of you, JDRF is providing people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) resources and support to navigate these challenging times. Here’s what has been done so far:

• We have set up an information page about T1D and COVID-19, as well as a mechanism to answer your questions via email.
• We are hosting regular online events so you can ask experts your questions about T1D and COVID-19. Check out our Facebook Live with one of our researchers, endocrinologist Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret.
• We are working with industry partners to ensure people with T1D can continue to get the diabetes supplies they need.
• We have created a panel of medical experts from coast-to-coast to consult on the virus and T1D.

While we all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19, the day-to-day challenges of living with T1D remain. Our commitment to better health and quality of life for people living with T1D is stronger than ever and, with your help, we will continue to champion the short and long term needs of people living with T1D and their families.

In a time when social distancing is required, it is more important than ever to feel connected. We are working to find the best ways to remain engaged with you during this exceptional time. We are here for you and thinking of you.

Please stay safe,

Dave Prowten
President & CEO
JDRF Canada

March 24, 2020

Sponsored Content by Ei Lilly Canada 

Eli Lilly Canada is pleased to announce the approval and availability of Baqsimi^TM, a new rescue treatment for severe hypoglycemia, demonstrating Lilly’s commitment to simplifying the management of severe hypoglycemia through medicines and patient solutions. The formulation was invented in Canada and is changing the lives of people with diabetes around the world. Baqsimi (glucagon nasal powder 3 mg) was approved by Health Canada with ethical status, making it available at the pharmacy with or without a prescription. Baqsimi is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemic reactions when impaired consciousness precludes oral carbohydrates, which may occur in the management of insulin-treated patients with diabetes mellitus, whether type 1 or type 2.ⁱ Baqsimi is a compact nasal spray that is portable and does not require reconstitution. It is indicated in children 4 years and above and is now widely available in pharmacies across Canada.

For Canadians who have diabetes and who are treated with insulin, the fear of going ‘low’ (hypoglycemia) never goes away. When an individual has a severe low (severe hypoglycemia), they are unable to treat themselves, and they need help from someone else to recover. For people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are on medications like insulin, there can be many causes of severe hypoglycemia. These include not eating enough, over-exercising, drinking alcohol, or even using diabetes medications incorrectly.ii

“The daily worry of a ‘severe low’ and the complexity of using injectable glucagon creates an emotional toll for both the person living with diabetes and their caregivers,” says Dave Prowten, President and CEO at JDRF Canada. “Having a new rescue option that is easy to administer with a single nasal puff by a caregiver will alleviate a significant burden, and it has the potential to save lives.”

Baqsimi is a ready-to-use form of glucagon, which requires no reconstitution or priming. It is administered in a single fixed dose that is sprayed in the nose, where it is passively absorbed. Baqsimi does not need to be refrigerated and can be stored at temperatures up to 30°C/86°F in its shrink-wrapped tube.

For more information about Baqsimi and how you can be prepared for an unexpected severe hypoglycemic event, please visit, www.baqsimi.ca.

REFERENCES

March 5, 2020

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder that is often difficult to manage. Despite recent advances in innovative medical devices and educational tools, many people with T1D often experience blood sugar swings that can put them at risk of complications including hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Adding adjunct therapy to existing insulin treatment regimens could soon change that.

The artificial pancreas (also known as a closed-loop) is a promising technology consisting of a system of devices that closely mimics the glucose-regulating function of a healthy pancreas. It comprises a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and a computer algorithm that enables these devices to communicate and automate insulin delivery according to a person’s needs in real time. The artificial pancreas systems that are currently available automate basal insulin, and still require the user to give manual boluses via their insulin pump, but research working to develop a fully automated system. One approach towards a fully automated system is incorporating additional hormones or drugs.

Drs. Ahmad Haidar, Laurent Legault, Michael Tsoukas and Jean-Franҫois Yale are a team of JDRF-funded researchers at McGill University (Montreal) who are the first to test the addition of pramlintide (a synthetic form of amylin, which is a hormone co-secreted with insulin by the healthy pancreas) to an artificial pancreas system – a combined treatment they hypothesize would help patients achieve optimal glucose control during the day. Previous studies have shown that pramlintide prevents blood sugar spikes following a meal through affecting digestion and the release of other hormones. Pramlintide – which is already approved and available in the USA – can be taken by injection, but is rarely used. In this study, the researchers set out to test the effects of pramlintide when delivered together with insulin in an artificial pancreas system.

Blood sugar levels in people wearing an artificial pancreas (AP) with insulin alone vs an AP with insulin + pramlintide.

Starting blood sugars were 5-10 mmol/L. Adapted from Haidar et al, Diabetes Care 2020; 43: 597-606.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted a clinical trial in adults with T1D who wore artificial pancreas systems with or without pramlintide during inpatient visits at the Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre. The results of the trial showed that adding pramlintide to rapid-acting insulin in an artificial pancreas system improved glucose control compared to rapid-acting insulin alone, without increasing hypoglycemia. In the next stage of their research, Dr. Haidar and his team are conducting another clinical trial to test whether the insulin-plus-pramlintide artificial pancreas system can eliminate the need for carb-counting in adolescents and adults with T1D.

This exciting research into insulin adjunct therapy brings us closer to less burdensome management of T1D and a better quality of life.

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. 

This month, twenty years ago, a pioneering clinical trial in Alberta marked a major advancement in islet transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

On March 11, 1999, the Edmonton Protocol – a new method of transplanting pancreatic cells to treat T1D – saw its first participant receive a transfer of islet cells from a donated pancreas into their liver at the University of Alberta. The production of insulin by the donor’s islet cells helped the transplant recipient regain control of his blood sugar levels, thereby eliminating or greatly reducing the need for insulin injections. According to an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine on July 27, 2000, the seven people who took part in the study became insulin-independent for the 12 months following the procedure.

In collaboration with the Medical Research Council of Canada, JDRF supported the preclinical studies that led to the Edmonton Protocol. It also established nine JDRF Human Islet Distribution Programs in 1998, including the University of Alberta, which provided the islet cells for the procedure in Edmonton. Dr. James Shapiro, a JDRF-funded investigator and a multi-organ transplant surgeon at the institution, led the team that introduced the Edmonton Protocol and optimized the medication given with islet transplants.

Today there is a growing demand for organ donors. In order to succeed, a minimum of 300,000 cells derived from the same pancreas are needed for a transplant. A donated pancreas contains about one million islet cells and researchers are currently able to isolate up to half of them, making more people eligible for the procedure.

“The Edmonton Protocol was a milestone achievement that significantly changed the T1D landscape,” says Dave Prowten, president and CEO of JDRF Canada. “The past 20 years have seen more people benefitting from islet transplantation and JDRF is proud to invest in this promising initiative that is bringing us one step closer to a cure.”

Despite the lifelong need for immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft rejection, islet transplantation has been shown to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with a severe form of T1D, while freeing them from multiple daily insulin shots that can lead to other problems, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). As a result of new and improved methods to isolate islet cells, transplantation rates are expected to grow in the future until a cure for the disease is found.

Today JDRF continues to build on the Edmonton Protocol and Dr. Shapiro’s work. We are not only funding beta cell replacement therapy research, but also exploring the genetic modifications of transplantable stem cells and scaffolding technologies (encapsulation) to improve islet graft outcomes among people without the need for immunosuppressive drugs.

To learn more about beta cell therapy, click here.

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