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The 2026 Breakthrough T1D Walk Season: Celebrating a Community in Motion

The final steps have been taken, the fundraising totals are nearly in, and another incredible Breakthrough T1D Walk season is in the books. Throughout spring and early summer 2026, communities across Canada came together to raise funds, share experiences, and show what is possible when people unite behind a common cause. Whether participants walked in […]

What people with type 1 diabetes think about cell therapies

by Bryn Murphy Interest in cell therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) is growing, but most people still don’t have enough information to fully understand their options. Today, islet replacement therapies are available in clinical practice to only those with the most severe T1D, and newer therapies are being investigated in a small number of […]

Announcing the Breakthrough T1D 2026 Canada Mental Health and T1D Community Grants

by Bryn Murphy Mental health is an important part of living well with type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet it is often overlooked. Managing T1D is a constant, everyday responsibility that can bring emotional challenges such as stress, burnout, and diabetes distress—not only for individuals, but also for caregivers and families. These experiences are common and […]

Sana’s Gene-Edited Islet Cells Continue to Produce Insulin

Researchers this week have reported encouraging new results from an early clinical trial testing gene-edited islet cells in a single adult with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Sweden. More than 14 months after transplantation, the participant is still producing insulin and has done so without immunosuppressants. The therapy uses islet cells from an organ donor […]

Highlights from ADA 2026 Scientific Sessions

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions are one of the world’s largest gatherings of diabetes researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders. More than 11,000 people came together in June 2026 to share the latest progress. Here’s what matters most for our community. What you need to know (30 seconds) Many scientific breakthroughs are coming together […]

Clinical trial on GLP-1RA (tirzepatide) to begin in Canada

A new Breakthrough T1D-funded clinical trial led by Drs. Ahmad Haidar and Melissa-Rosina Pasqua (McGill University), is exploring whether tirzepatide, a commonly used medication for type 2 diabetes, can improve automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. What is tirzepatide? Tirzepatide is a type of adjunct-to-insulin therapy for diabetes called GLP-1RAs, short for   glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor […]

Spotlight on Dr. Patrick MacDonald: Expanding global knowledge of human islets

To cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), we need to do two things: we need to address the autoimmune response that damages insulin-producing beta cells, and we need to replace lost beta cells to restore the ability to produce insulin. Beta cells are found in clusters of multiple cell types in the pancreas. These clusters are […]

Together on the Hill: Our T1D Community Made an Impact 

To every delegate who walked the halls of Parliament this year, this blog is for you.  T1D on the Hill 2026 was about more than meetings and metrics. It was about people. It was about families, kids, parents, adults living with type 1 diabetes, and the shared belief that progress happens when we show up together.  And […]

A conversation with Aspect Biosystems 

Building next-generation solutions for type 1 diabetes Vancouver-based Aspect Biosystems recently announced a new $280 million partnership with the Government of Canada. Breakthrough T1D Canada’s Chief Scientific Officer, Sarah Linklater, spoke with Aspect’s Founder and CEO, Tamer Mohamed, about what the news means for the future of type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment.  Sarah: For readers who may not be familiar with Aspect Biosystems, can you tell us what the company does and which health conditions you’re focused […]

Between the lines of sugar

Guest post: Soundous Sellam, student living with type 1 diabetes in Montreal Living with T1D (type 1 diabetes) I don’t wake up at night because of school stress. I wake up because my sugar dropped, again. It’s 3 am and I have to shove food in my mouth, trying to convince my body not to […]

Breakthrough T1D Canada’s Mental Health Strategy: an update of the past year

May is Mental Health Awareness month, an international movement dedicated to reducing stigma, providing education, and promoting mental health as a critical part of overall health and well-being.  The month highlights the need for community support, early intervention, and professional resources for those challenged by mental health issues.  Having type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects a […]

A new partnership to support mental health in the type 1 diabetes community 

In March 2026, Breakthrough T1D Canada and You’re Just My Type (YJMT) announced a new partnership to build on lived experience support as part of the organization’s mental health and diabetes strategy.  You’re Just My Type is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mental health of people living with T1D through in-person events, resources, and community-building.  The partnership with Breakthrough T1D will bring YJMT to Canadians, through free, in-person mental […]

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