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It feels like it happens every year, the months go by in a flash and before you know it, the holiday season is upon us. And now it’s time to find that perfect gift for those closest to you.

Breakthrough T1D is here to take some of the stress out of gift-giving and we’ve put together a holiday gift guide with some creative and fun ideas that can not only work for people living with T1D, but others on your list, whether they are family, friends, or colleagues. Knowing that the most treasured present is the one that comes from the heart.

Everyone loves being cozy

Sweaters, fuzzy blankets, tuques, scarves and mittens – these are simply Canadian essentials, and there is no shortage of styles, patterns and colours you can choose from.

Find some inspiration at a place like Simon’s, a Canadian store that has both household items and clothing, and that delivers across the country.

Or with enough time and energy, you could crochet a scarf or hat. You could even treat yourself to a crochet kit for a beginner, making it a gift to yourself too!

And keeping feet warm and comfortable can be even more important for people with T1D. Compression socks, and anti-fatigue mats can help with fatigue and aching in the calves and feet.

Consider non-skid, seamless and moisture-wicking socks, and pair them with a fun pair of cozy slippers (make sure they’ve got a solid and padded sole and a closed toe and back to prevent slipping). There’s nothing worse than waking up to cold floors on unprotected feet.

A fancy medic-alert bracelet

It’s advised that people with T1D wear a medic alert bracelet. And you may remember the more utilitarian style from your childhood. But did you know they come in a variety of styles, including necklaces and additions for a smartwatch band?

You can find the entire collection here: https://www.medicalert.ca/products

Keeping skin soft and supple all winter

The winter cold makes skin dry, cracked and uncomfortable. This can be especially challenging for people living with T1D. Well-moisturized skin also helps with glucose monitoring. Consider stuffing the stocking of your loved one with T1D with luxurious and rich moisturizers. Look for ones that contain urea.

Gifts to stimulate your brain

It’s easy to want to ‘couch rot’ when the days get short, cold and dark. And there is nothing wrong with a day or two doing very little. But why not also consider gifts that challenge the mind. Trivia games, sudoku, 10,000-piece puzzles, or even just old-fashioned books are gifts that can help keep the mind stimulated during that period between Christmas and New Year’s when it’s hard to remember what day or time it is!

Fun and creative insulin pump and CGM stickers
Started by a Canadian diagnosed with T1D when she was 33 years old and someone who loved colourful designs and stylish jewelry, Edda decided to create her own line when she found there were limited options in Canada.

In addition to a range of beautiful insulin covers and CGM stickers, Pimp My Diabetes also offers stylish diabetes bags and jewelry. And they have a full range of clothing and apparel options for both people who have T1D and their loved ones.

Check out the full range of items here: https://pimpmydiabetes.com/

(*Please note that Breakthrough T1D receives no funding from any of the suggested links, they are just to help you get started)

Gve the gift of breakthroughs

Maybe you don’t know what to give a colleague, or that one friend who’s really hard to shop for.

Supporting a charity, including Breakthrough T1D Canada will help you to feel good while doing good. And a donation not only helps today but can create a lasting legacy. Your support can help Breakthrough T1D in our mission of making every day life better for the close to 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, while we drive towards cures.

And if you donate today, your gift will be matched 2x up to December 31, 2025, allowing you to double your impact, and receive a final tax receipt before the end of year.

And here’s our gift to you! 

Please also accept our gift to you – an electronic holiday card that you can fill in with your own message and use to help raise awareness of type 1 diabetes in Canada.

Download by clicking on the card

No matter how stressful or busy the holiday season gets, always remember that you can’t go wrong with a gift given with genuine consideration and thought.

***

From everyone here at Breakthrough T1D, please accept our sincerest wishes for a happy, restful and restorative holiday season, and all the best for the coming new year.

In young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), nearly all insulin-producing cells are destroyed before they can mature, helping explain why the progression of T1D is more aggressive in early childhood.

The study, published in Science Advances, ahead of World Diabetes Day, was funded by the UK Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge– a partnership between Breakthrough T1D UK, the Steve Morgan Foundation, and Diabetes UK. This important finding provides valuable information into the wide range of T1D progression and highlights the need for universal T1D screening and early-stage immunotherapies in young children at risk of developing T1D.

T1D is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In young children T1D often progresses more rapidly, increasing the likelihood of medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis and requiring higher doses of insulin than those diagnosed at an older age.

Until now, scientists had limited tools to study the early development of insulin-producing beta cells. Beta cells are found in ‘clusters’ called islets of Langerhans, or islets, in the pancreas. To date, the majority of cell biology research has focused on the medium-large islets, particularly because small islets are often lost during the isolation process to study individual cells. In young children, approximately under the age of 7, the majority of islets are small and still forming and only contain a few insulin-producing beta cells.

The new study, led by Dr. Sarah Richardson, Associate Professor in Cellular Biomedicine at the University of Exeter in the UK, used cutting-edge scientific techniques to study these small clusters in unprecedented detail. The team analysed rare pancreas samples from more than 250 people of varying ages, both with and without T1D. The samples were accessed from numerous global biobanks including the Breakthrough T1D-funded Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD). They looked at how these clusters change as we age and how they are affected by the immune system.

The findings confirm most rapid development of islet cells occur in the first few years of life.

For the first time, the researchers showed that in people with type 1 diabetes, these small clusters (pre-cursors to islets) are almost completely absent, having been destroyed by the immune system. While some people with T1D retained a few large clusters, allowing them to produce small amounts of insulin, this was not the case for those diagnosed at a young age.

Together, the results suggest that the abundant small clusters found in young children are especially vulnerable to the type 1 diabetes immune attack. Their rapid destruction prevents them from maturing, leaving very few insulin-producing cells later in life, while more mature islets in adults are somewhat more resistant to the autoimmune attack and the onset of T1D in adulthood may preserve minor insulin-producing capability.

This research underscores the critical role of these small clusters in healthy pancreas development and opens the door for new treatments to protect children’s clusters of insulin-producing cells, giving them the chance to mature into islets that are less vulnerable to the immune attack. It also strengthens the case that  type 1 diabetes screening – particularly in young children is essential for identifying those in the early stages of type 1 diabetes before these crucial cells are lost, (when accompanied by early-stage immunotherapy interventions to prevent the loss of immature islet clusters.)

Breakthrough T1D Canada currently has a $12 million grant co-funded through the Breakthrough T1D-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes that is funding CanScreen T1D –   a single nationally coordinated research network that explores key research questions about the feasibility and acceptability of general population T1D screening in Canada.

Results from this research could help to inform immunotherapies for individuals in early-stage T1D to preserve islet mass and insulin-producing capability.

On October 29^th, 2025, researchers, partners, and members of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community gathered in person at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to discuss year 4 progress and future plans for the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC (The Centre) The day was rich with powerful presentations about scientific advances, showcasing the power of partnership and the accomplishments that are possible when vision, generosity, and determination come together.

The Centre’s research program is organized into three interconnected themes relevant to T1D cure research: 1) building better beta cells for islet replacement therapy, 2) immune protection of insulin-producing beta cells, and 3) targeting and monitoring beta cell stress. Highlights from year 4 of the Centre’s progress across these three themes include:

• Discovery of several factors that increase beta cell survival, and creation of tools that will allow them to be engineered into stem cell-derived islet islets
• Creation of engineered regulatory T cells designed to specifically target islets and prevent them from harm
• Further development of a nanomedicine that can prevent and reverse T1D in animal models – including refining how the can best be delivered (intramuscularly, like a vaccine) and figuring out that the drug protects from T1D by dialing down the function of certain white blood cells.
•  Completion of a screen of >3000 existing drugs to identify those that can reduce beta cell harm and that could be re-purposed to treat T1D or protect transplanted islets.

Exciting results of early-stage projects were also shared from three seed grants awarded in 2024 (Dr. Laura Egvin, Dr. Nicole Krentz, Dr. Lauar Monteiro/Dr. Ramon Klein Geltink), and multiple trainees excelled at summarizing their work in a graphical abstract competition. Finally, Dr. Ahsen Chaudry, clinical endocrinologist and a Breakthrough T1D Clinical Investigator Fellow, provided an overview of past, present and future T1D cure clinical trials taking place in Vancouver, where are large number of stem cell-derived islet transplants have been carried out.

“As a parent of a young adult living with type 1 diabetes, the 4th Annual Meeting of the Centre of Excellence left me feeling both hopeful and encouraged,” said Sue Gordon, a supporter from the community. The researchers’ progress and dedication are inspiring! Knowing that advances are being made, and that strong community partners are stepping up to help, gives families like mine so much hope for the future.”

The Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Council, which ensures that the priorities and concerns of people with T1D are integrated into the Centre’s work and knowledge mobilization activities, inspired the audience in the afternoon session by sharing stories of what day-to-day life is like living with T1D. From professional challenges to pump failures, pregnancy to post-partum, poor sleep and striving for perfection – experiences shared were often real and raw. 

“Sometimes it’s hard to get up at 5:30am to go into the lab and feed the latest batch of stem cell-derived islets we’re working with,” said Francis Lynn, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Surgery & Biomedical Engineering and Centre Co-Lead. “But hearing what the burden of T1D is like, day in and day out, reminds me why we do what we do. And we’ll keep at it for as long as we have to.”

Now beginning year 5 of their research program, the team is focused on achieving key milestones, evaluating overall progress to date, and beginning to outline plans for the next phase of the Centre, which will involve advancing the highest potential projects, prioritizing innovation, deepening engagement with clinical activities, and expanding interdisciplinary training and mentorship opportunities.

To close the annual meeting, the Centre team celebrated the announcement of a transformational gift from the Canucks For Kids Fund, prompting re-naming to the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC. This extraordinary support introduces a powerful new partner for the and Centre and will further elevate the Centre’s mission and accelerate the groundbreaking cure-focused research underway at UBC.

Read more about the Centre here or at UBC’s dedicated webpage at BreakthroughT1D.med.ubc.ca/

For information about how to support the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC, please visit: BreakthroughT1D.ca/get-involved/accelerate/

On Nov 3-6, 2025, Montreal was host to the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) 51st Annual Conference. ISPAD is a yearly highlight of the T1D conference calendar, and this year was no exception. Scientists, clinicians, researchers, industry members, people with diabetes, and more were on hand to provide updates in cures, improving lives, access, and more—with much of it being supported by Breakthrough T1D.

ISPAD co-Presidents Drs. Melanie Henderson (CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal) and Julia E. von Oettingen (McGill University) welcomed the international diabetes community to Montreal, highlighting the city’s deep commitment to pediatric diabetes care and research.

Early detection of T1D

Several researchers presentedcountry-level results from T1D screening pilots and programs across multiple sessions. Early detection of T1D can provide opportunities for education to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis, time to prepare for insulin therapy, and immunotherapy to delay disease onset. A Canadian expert in this area, Dr. Diane Wherrett (SickKids Hospital. Toronto) was this year’s W!LD ISPAD honoree for her dedication to pediatric endocrinology, T1D prevention research, and leadership of the CanScreen T1D consortium. 

Disease-modifying therapies

Disease-modifying therapies address the underlying cause of T1D, meaning that they protect beta cells, stop the autoimmune attack, or both. The University of Alberta’s Dr. Alice Carr provided ag talk about the roadmap for precision medicine in disease-modifying therapies for T1D, emphasizing the need for more precise measures of beta cell function in early-stage disease and highlighting the importance of including perspectives of people with T1D into every stage of the research process.

Interim results were also presented from Sanofi’s PETITE-T1D trial testing the efficacy and safety of Tzield in kids aged 0-7 with early-stage T1D.  Tzield is currently approved for children and adults aged eight and older with stage 2 T1D, in whom it can delay the onset of stage 3 T1D by an average of 3 years. The new results show that the safety profile of Tzield in children under the age of 8 is similar to that of older individuals who receive the drug. This study is ongoing and we look forward to seeing more data.

SAB BIO presented compelling data about humanized anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), which holds promise to delay the onset and progression of T1D. Recent results showed that animal-derived ATG holds promise for this purpose, and therefore this humanized version of the drug (which is likely to have fewer side effects) is an exciting development.

Technology improves outcomes

A common theme throughout multiple presentations about diabetes devices is that automated insulin delivery (AID) systems help people do better. This spans several different technologies and systems: Tandem Control IQ, Minimed 780G, Cam APS (Ypsomed pump), and OmniPod. Here’s why:

The near-constant adjustments made by these systems are always working to meet glycemic targets. They can help people get closer to their glycemic targets with less user input. They lower the mental burden of T1D, helping people less engaged with managing their T1D do better. These are among the reasons that updated Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for diabetes now recommend AID systems as the standard of care for people of all ages with T1D.

Several presentations and posters highlighted that artificial intelligence is making AID systems smarter, with the potential to remove the need for carb-counting entirely and enabling a fully closed loop.

Adjunct therapies

Another hot topic at the ISPAD conference was the adjunct therapies – medicines that can be taken alongside insulin to improve glucose management and reduce future risk of complications. Among new evidence presented was that from the ATTEMPT trial led by Dr. Farid Mahmud (SickKids Hospital, Toronto), which showed that an SLGT2 inhibitor could be used safely for this purpose without increases in ketones or incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be a concern with use of certain adjunct therapies.

2026 is going to be a big year—with many more T1D conferences where the latest research updates will be shared. This includes, for the first time, a conference held by Breakthrough T1D International: the inaugural Breakthrough T1D Clinical and Research Congress, which will be held in Philadelphia, PA in October 2026.

Winter is on its way, and with it the holiday season and the parties and meals that come along with it. Most of us find we indulge a little more in holiday snacks and treats – and these are often sugar and carb laden. One of the major stresses of managing type 1 diabetes (T1D), particularly for people who are newly diagnosed, can be meal planning and both how it will affect blood glucose levels and how much insulin you or your child might need.

But with a little planning and preparation, you can and should enjoy time with family and friends – including holiday dinners – with confidence.

Thank you to Beyond Type 1 for these traditional holiday meal carb counts to help guide your decisions this holiday season.

Beyond Type 1 has a full page of resources to make navigating the holidays a little easier: https://beyondtype1.org/celebrations-holidays/

Managing T1D is a challenge any time but can be made easier when you’re armed with information to help you plan accordingly.

So, raise that glass, make a toast and relax and enjoy all the holiday season has to offer!

* Please note that your portion sizes may vary, and your carbohydrate counts will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Mains

Item	Amount	Carbohydrates
Turkey	Any	0g
Ham	Any	0g
Beef	Any	0g
Chicken	Any	0g
Duck	Any	0g
Goose	Any	0g
Lasagna	1 Cup	30g
Brisket	1 oz.	0g

Sides

Item	Amount	Carbohydrates
Mashed Potatoes	1 cup	30g
Roasted Potatoes	1 cup	28g
Sweet Potato	1 Med.	28g
Potato Latke	1 Med.	10g
Candied Yams	1/2 cup	45g
Sweet Potato Casserole with Mini Marshmallows	1/3 cup	30g
Green Beans	1/2 cup	4g
Green Bean Casserole	1 1/2 cup.	9g
Corn	1/2 cup	9g
Sauerkraut	1 cup	6g
Glazed Carrots	1/2 cup	25g
Brussel Sprouts	1/2 cup	4g
Cheese	1 oz.	0-1g
Stuffing	1/2 cup	20g
Cranberry Sauce	1/4 cup	25g
Gravy	1/2 cup	5g
Dinner Roll	1	20g
Biscuit	1	25g
Cornbread	1 piece	28g
Challah	2 oz.	30g
Matzo Ball	1	10g
Matzo Ball Soup	1 cup	15g
Noodle Kugel	2″ Square	23g
Apple Sauce – Sweetened	4 oz.	23g
Apple Sauce – Unsweetened	4 oz.	12g
Sour Cream	2 tbsp.	.5g
Olive Oil	1 tbsp.	0g

Desserts

Item	Amount	Carbohydrates
Sweet Potato Pie	1/8th Slice	35g
Minced Meat Pie	1/8th Slice	55g
Pumpkin Pie	1/8th Slice	35g
Apple Pie	1/8th Slice	45g
Pecan Pie	1/8th Slice	60g
Meringue Pie	1/8th Slice	50g
Fruitcake	1/8th Slice	26g
Christmas (Plum) Pudding	2 oz.	30g
Sticky Toffee Pudding	2 oz.	25g
Bread Pudding	2 oz.	20g
Trifle	1 2 oz.	15g
Ginger Snap Cookies	4 (1 oz.)	23g
Shortbread Cookies	4 (1 oz.)	21g
Chocolate Chip Cookies	2	20g
Peanut Butter Cookies	2	20g
Sugar Cookies	2	22g
Meringue Cookies	6	15g
Rugelach	1 oz./pc.	17g
Sufganiyot (Jelly Donut)	1	25g
Cheese Blintz	1	12g
Chocolate Gelt	1 oz.	17g
Cheesecake	1 pc. (1/6)	20g
Candy Cane	1	15g
Vanilla Ice Cream	1/2 cup	16g
Chocolate Ice Cream	1/2 cup	18g
Brand Butter	2 tbsp.	15g
Whipped Cream (Unsweetened)	2 tbsp.	2g

Drinks

Item	Amount	Carbohydrates
Eggnog	1/2 cup	30g
Hot Cocoa with Water	1 cup	15-20g
Hot Cocoa with Milk	1 cup	30g
Spiced Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic)	1 cup	30g
Hard Apple Cider	12 oz.	15-30g
Wine (White or Red)	5 oz.	4g
Champagne	5 oz.	3g
Regular Beer	5 oz.	12g
Light Beer	12 oz.	6g
Spirits	1 oz.	0g

One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events and the country’s premier team stationary cycling event took place in Montréal, Québec and Toronto, Ontario on October 9 and 16 respectively, along with several Ride Your Way events throughout the remainder of the year. 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 rode hundreds of stationary bikes set up in core downtown locations. Additional events were 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.

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.

Nearly 1300 teams and over 6500 fundraisers from over 85 Canadian companies coast to coast participated throughout October. Riders have secured over 16000 donations and raised nearly $1.9 million and counting. We are so appreciative for everyone’s efforts and their support of Canadians living with T1D.

A huge thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, our Ride Cabinets, Breakthrough T1D ambassadors who shared their stories of what it’s like to live with T1D, and the people who came out to ride.  Their support is helping us get closer to our goal for cures for type 1 diabetes.

Thank you also to our emcees Benoit, Heather and Tania (who kept the energy going throughout two chilly days in both cities), and to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for joining and even doing a full Ride on one of our stationary bikes!

Thank you again to everyone who participated and to our generous corporate partners. We hope to see all of you out again next year!

National Partners

Media Partner

National Suppliers

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Real Estate Hour Corporate Supporters

Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Broccolini Construction Inc.
Canderel Management Inc.
Crown Property Management Inc.
Forest Contractors Ltd.
Goodmans LLP
GWL Realty Advisors
JLL Capital Markets
LaSalle Investment Management
Oxford Properties
NEUF Architect(e)s Inc.
Pure Industrial

Real Estate Friends

Aurora Realty Consultants

On October 8^th, 2025, Breakthrough T1D Canada hosted a virtual summit for its 2023 Mental Health and T1D Community Grants, bringing together project leads, community members, donors, volunteers, staff, and advisors from across the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. The event served as a space to share, celebrate, and reflect on the impact of the inaugural round of grants, and to highlight the innovative ways organizations are addressing mental health in T1D.

A highlight reel from the Summit can be viewed below:

Launched as part of Breakthrough T1D’s Mental Health Strategy, this program supports organizations across Canada that are developing community-led approaches to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people affected by T1D. Five outstanding projects supported through the inaugural grants competition were showcased at the summit:

• Connected in Motion – Bridging the Gap: Mental Health Integration into Slipstream Programming
  Connected in Motion introduced a dedicated mental health stream within their Slipstream retreats and virtual gatherings. This gave adults with T1D more opportunities to discuss topics like burnout, body image, and family planning in safe, supportive spaces. More than 300 participants took part in 2024 programs, showing the value of integrating mental health support into community experiences.  
• Pineapple Therapy & Edmonton Diabetes & High Risk Foot Clinic – CuriosiT1D: Getting Curious about Diabetes & Mental Health
  Breakthrough T1D’s support enabled the creation of CuriosiT1D, is a self-paced online course designed for adults with T1D including videos and practical tools rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Its content helps normalize common struggles like anxiety and burnout, while offering strategies to help improve emotional regulation. Participants of this new course shared that it provided useful tools for managing difficult thoughts and emotions, a clearer understanding of the mental health–diabetes connection, and some relief from feeling overwhelmed.
• Université de Montréal – Bien dans ma tête avec le diabète
  This project created short, engaging French-language videos blending lived experience and clinical expertise on mental health in T1D. Humorous and relatable in style, the videos aim to reduce stigma, spark conversations, and provide trustworthy resources. The series will launch in November 2025, with plans for an English version to follow.
• McGill University & Gold Bug Interactive – The Game Plan Webcomic
  The Game Plan is a webcomic for children and youth showcasing the emotional realities of adjusting to and living with T1D, developed through interviews and lived experience. Readers described it as powerful and validating, noting it helped them feel less isolated and more hopeful. The project visually demonstrates how storytelling can be a transformative tool of mental health support.
• Langs – Enhancing Resiliency for Families Living with T1D through Empowering Mental Health Programs
  Langs, a community hub providing a range of health and community supports services based in Southern Ontario, developed and delivered a suite of new familyand community-based programs including arts therapy groups, peer support events, and outdoor activities. These initiatives helped families strengthen resilience, improve confidence, and build meaningful connections. Feedback showed participants valued having safe, supportive spaces to share and learn together.

Throughout the summit, a common theme emerged: the power of community and connection in addressing mental health with T1D. Attendees voiced their appreciation for the creativity and courage of the projects—one participant noted that “even changing the course of the life of one person is worthwhile,” while another emphasized how these initiatives will “help break isolation and remind people they’re not alone.”

“The success of our inaugural Mental Health & T1D Community Grants program is a powerful testament to what’s possible when we invest in community-led innovation,”said Dr. Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer for Breakthrough T1D Canada. “We are inspired by the courage and creativity shown by our grant recipients, and the early impact of their projects. We remain committed to expanding mental health supports for the T1D community in the years ahead,” she continues

As Breakthrough T1D Canada looks ahead, we remain committed to investing in programs that put mental health and well-being at the forefront of support for people living with T1D. The success of this first round of grants shows what’s possible when community expertise, lived experience, and collaboration come together—and it is only the beginning. We are pleased to share that a new round of Mental Health and T1D Community Grants has now launched, continuing our commitment to expand resources and support for the T1D community. We look forward to sharing news of the projects will support next through this program in 2026

The arrival of the colder weather also brings with it cold and flu season. Nobody likes getting sick, but for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), there are extra considerations.

Illness of any kind puts a body under stress, and the body releases hormones and antibodies to help fight disease. For someone with T1D, these hormones can be disruptive to blood glucose levels and how the body metabolizes insulin administered.

Having a checklist prepared in advance of getting sick that you can easily refer to can help mitigate some of the additional challenges of colds and flu with T1D.

When sick with a cold or flu, ensure to:

• Check your blood glucose regularly
• Stay hydrated
• Make sure to still eat even if appetite is low
• Check for ketones
• Have glucagon on hand for emergencies
• Have anti-nausea medication on hand
• See your healthcare provider if you aren’t getting better

Closely monitor blood-glucose levels and ketones

When you’re under the weather, you need to monitor your blood glucose and ketones more often than usual. Check your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) if you have one or frequently use finger prick checks.  It may be necessary to administer extra insulin to bring down higher blood glucose levels.

Elevated ketone levels often occur when blood glucose is high. This can mean the body is using fat and muscle for energy, instead of sugar. Be on the lookout for ketones, as very high levels could lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

Medications can also impact blood glucose levels

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can affect blood glucose levels.

Pay attention to the sugar content in cough syrups or opt for sugar-free versions. Decongestants for stuffy nose or nasal congestion may raise blood glucose. An alternative option is saline nasal spray.  

Acetaminophen, which is often taken to reduce minor aches and fevers from a flu or cold, can cause false or no readings in CGMs and can be toxic to the liver and kidneys if taken frequently or in large dosages. Anyone with kidney complications should speak to their healthcare provider before using these drugs. Ibuprofen can enhance insulin release and increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Aspirin in large doses can lower blood glucose levels.

Eating and drinking while sick

When you’re sick and don’t have much of an appetite, it’s good to have some easily eaten carbs on hand. Crackers, unsweetened applesauce, or yogurt are relatively easy on the stomach. Consider taking anti-nausea medicine to help you eat, if needed. It’s important to stay well-hydrated, when you’re sick, so if you have difficulty swallowing because of a sore throat, try having some liquids with calories, like a smoothie, soup, or broths.

Be prepared for any contingencies or emergencies

Work with your diabetes care team to develop a plan for managing your T1D while sick. Always have emergency glucagon on hand to treat severe lows and make sure you know how to use it.

Have your doctor’s phone numbers (including how to reach them at night and on weekends or holidays) ready in case you encounter these symptoms:

• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than six hours
• Difficulty breathing
• A fever that doesn’t improve after a couple of days
• High levels of ketones
• Unable to keep food or liquid down and are experiencing hypoglycemia

If you do need to make an emergency room visit, it is very important that you mention that you have T1D. Consider a medic alert bracelet, or information about your T1D that is easily accessible from your phone.

Prevention is key

Preventing illness is always the best outcome. Getting an annual covid or flu vaccine every year can help mitigate severe disease. You might consider masking during cold and flu season in highly populated situations, or on public transit. Make sleep and hydration a priority, wash your hands often, and try to avoid touching your face.

Nobody likes getting sick, but preparation and most importantly – getting the proper rest and time to properly recover – can make it more manageable.

Cell therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) are coming. These therapies replace destroyed beta cells with new cells that make insulin and protect them so that they can function for a long time. Cell therapies are complex products: many in development contain stem cell-derived cells, some with genetic modifications and/or a device to implant and protect them. Not only are the products themselves complex, but the need to surgically implant them means they must be delivered at a well-equipped site by a trained health care team.

These are unlike traditional drugs or medical devices. Their complexity means that Canada’s current regulatory, reimbursement and healthcare delivery systems may not be equipped to handle them. As the first cell therapies for T1D are approaching regulatory approval, we must act now to ensure our systems are ready. Research and clinical trials are revealing increasingly exciting results showing that these therapies can provide transformative benefit to people living with the disease.

Recognizing this urgency, Breakthrough T1D Canada, the Stem Cell Network and Shift Health convened a two-day workshop in June 2025 entitled Preparing Canada’s Health System for Regenerative Medicines and Advanced Therapeutics: Cell Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes. This event brought together over 30 cross-sector participants — researchers, clinicians, biomanufacturing experts, people with T1D, industry experts, funders, payers, and representatives from Health Canada and the Canadian Drug Agency – to identify barriers and co-create actionable solutions to accelerate Canada’s readiness for T1D cell therapies. As outlined in the full report, the workshop focused on 5 key areas:

1. Translating research into real treatments. Inadequate funding, lack of supports for commercialization, and inadequate clarity regarding manufacturing standards for T1D cell therapies were identified as key barriers. Among solutions identified, the group concluded that the most impactful, feasible action in this area would be to demonstrate the comprehensive value of T1D cell therapies – including socioeconomic impacts – to increase funding for research and associated activities.

2. Regulatory approval and assessment. Regulatory processes are complex, challenging to navigate, and lack economic models to accurately capture the impact of cell therapies. Moreover, regulatory decision-making and assessments may not currently consider what matters most to people with T1D. Crucial to addressing barriers in this area will be creating mechanisms for innovators to navigate regulatory steps and integrating the voices of people with T1D throughout the process.

3. Coverage for new treatments: Canada’s reimbursement models are not designed to cover complex products like cell therapies. To enable and ensure access to these therapies for people with T1D, manufacturers and payers must engage early to share robust evidence about cell therapies, including a full picture of the unmet need for people with T1D informed by the community, and explore new reimbursement models that make sense for cell therapies.

4. Delivering cell therapies in Canadian health systems. Few Canadian hospitals are ready to deliver T1D cell therapies, care teams need specialized training, and public awareness is low. A key solution is to establish strategically located centres of excellence in T1D cell therapies – hubs where trained teams can provide coordinated care, support, and monitoring for patients receiving these therapies.

5. Combating misinformation and disinformation. Misleading narratives, often amplified by mainstream media, can distort perceptions about safety and effectiveness and fuel mistrust of a therapy that could be transformative for the right patient. Clear, accurate, and accessible communication about T1D cell therapies is essential to build awareness, understanding and confidence in the T1D community and the public.

As highlighted at this Canadian workshop, many challenges remain to bringing cell therapies to people with T1D in Canada and beyond and addressing them will require working across several domains – research, clinical trials, regulatory, reimbursement, and clinical adoption. To address this need for coordinated effort, last year Breakthrough T1D introduced a global initiative called Project ACT (Accelerating Cell Therapies) – our game plan to dramatically speed development and access to cell therapies for people with T1D around the world.

Canada is where insulin was first discovered, and where T1D treatment transplanting islet cells known as the Edmonton Protocol took place. The country’s legacy and talent in cell therapies positions us as a key driver of success in Project ACT. To realize this potential, we must continue to invest, innovate, raise awareness, and convene partners. With your support, we can help more people with T1D gain access to these life-changing and therapies and get us closer to cures for T1D.

Read the full workshop report.

Read more about our global initiative, Project ACT.

Trading boardrooms for bright lights, four pillars of Toronto’s business community took to the stage in support of Breakthrough T1D Canada.

On October 23, 2025, four of Canada’s top business leaders took to the stage in downtown Toronto, ON in support of Breakthrough T1D Canada to help accelerate breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

They raised more than $4.4 million, breaking the event’s fundraising record! Humour Me is an iconic comedy fundraiser that has generated over $25 million for worthy causes over the past 15 years. Organized by the David Goodman Youth Community Trust and, in 2025, presented by Brookfield, Humour Me applies a twist to the typical stand-up routine by bringing together professional comedians and influential, high-profile amateurs to perform together.

Ugo Bizzarri, Managing Partner & CEO: Hazelview Investments, Brad Dunkley, Co-Founder & CIO: Waratah Capital Advisors Ltd, Andrew Oliver, President & CEO: Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) Hospitality and Lori Pearson, Vice Chair: Brookfield Corporation delivered original stand-up comedy routines while vying for the title of “Funniest Amateur”, to raise critical funds to support Breakthrough T1D’s $100M Campaign to Accelerate.

Congratulations to Brad Dunkley for being awarded the title of funniest amateur, receiving the coveted Baba Mary trophy – named after event founder David Goodman’s funny grandmother.

Joining them was headliner Jeremy Hotz. One of the most unique stand-up comics working today, Canadian-born Jeremy Hotz is a proven international success. With sold-out Canadian tours, as well as performances all over the U.S., Europe and Australia, Jeremy continues to grab audiences with his completely original and confused, yet very astute, observational comedy.

“We’re so grateful to our comedians, and to David Goodman for their support of the T1D community,” says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada. “Ugo, Brad, Andrew and Lori are leaders in every sense, and their bravery to step out of their comfort zones also demonstrates their incredible commitment to accelerating the most promising research into cures for T1D.”

T1D is a chronic 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.

“Humour Me remains focused on raising funds to support organizations like Breakthrough T1D Canada that provide vital services to Canadians. Over the years we have raised close to $29 million for some incredible non-profit organizations and community groups who make a real difference.

We are thrilled to be able to help Canadians living with T1D and advance critical research that will get us closer to a cure. I thank our volunteers, comedians, coaches and judges for their time and efforts for what will be an evening filled with fun, laughter and friends while supporting this great cause. And a special thank you to our brave contestants who stepped out of their comfort zone and set a fundraising record for this event,” says David Goodman, founder and CEO of Humour Me.

“My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than 20 years ago. There are no days off from diabetes, and the constant management and complications will never go away until there is a cure. If my attempt at a stand-up routine can help bring that day a little bit closer somehow, then I will step out of my comfort zone, because there is nothing comfortable about T1D. I am honoured that Brookfield, my employer, continues to support my involvement in Breakthrough T1D and is sponsoring the evening,” says Lori Pearson.

“I actually love humour and comedy. One of the reasons I did this is that I want to be an example to my friends and family, showing them that it can be fun to do something challenging and scary, especially when it brings people together and supports a good cause,” says Brad Dunkley.

“When Jenn asked me to do this, I couldn’t say no. Trust me, I tried. I’m so appreciative of the many colleagues and friends who have been so incredibly generous. The research is moving quickly—so different from when I first knew Jenn 30 years ago, and a cure seemed impossible. I definitely don’t have a future in comedy, but this is an investment in the future for Jenn and so many others,” says Ugo Bizzari.

“The day my sister Vanessa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes changed our family’s life forever. It was also the day my dad, Peter, vowed to do everything in his power to help find cures for this 24/7 disease — and he was a man of his word, relentlessly pursuing bold fundraising ideas and raising millions for research over 30+ years. My dad and sister are my inspirations. Though I do not know what it is like to live with diabetes, delivering a comedy routine in front of thousands of people, and fundraising for Breakthrough T1D are two ways I can honour my father’s legacy and help find a cure for my sister,” says Andrew Oliver.

Funds raised from the Humour Me will support Breakthrough T1D Canada’s $100M Campaign to Accelerate, which helps to fund the most promising research into cures and support for programs that improve the lives of those living with the disease today, including access to diabetes technology and mental health services.

A huge thank you again to our sponsors, volunteers, judges, comedians and everyone at Humour Me for putting together a heartwarming evening of inspiration, laughter and community.

When we launched the $100M Campaign to Accelerate, we wanted to ensure we maximized donor dollars to achieve the greatest impact. Through the Breakthrough T1D-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) matches donor investments dollar for dollar, doubling the type 1 diabetes (T1D) research that can be funded.

Throughout the campaign, generous donors have stepped forward, allowing us to leverage even more funding. One of our incredible supporters, John Cammett, is matching all major donations to cure research within the CIHR partnership up to $2 million until the end of November 2025. The CIHR will match John’s contributions and yours, creating up to four times the impact for Canadians living with T1D.

“Like many people with type 1 diabetes, my goal is to take off my insulin pump forever,” says John, who has lived with T1D since age 32 and whose mother was also diagnosed at 32.

John has long supported Breakthrough T1D International and became a visionary funder of the Breakthrough T1D Barbara Dewey Cammett Center of Excellence in New England after meeting stem cell research veteran Dr. Douglas Melton at a Harvard alum event. John kept in touch with Dr. Melton and subsequently met several Breakthrough T1D-funded researchers, witnessing firsthand how each team brought an essential piece to the cures.

Dr. Melton and UBC’s Dr. Timothy Kieffer are two pioneers in stem cell research, having simultaneously discovered in 2014 the capability of stem cells to become insulin-producing beta cells, thanks to Breakthrough T1D donor funding. Dr. Melton founded a company named Semma Therapeutics to further develop his cells, while Dr. Kieffer and UBC licensed the cells to ViaCyte for their early clinical trials. Vertex Pharmaceuticals later acquired both Semma (2019) and ViaCyte (2022) to create a robust T1D program. The ongoing Vertex trial has been yielding successful results, while Dr. Kieffer continues to optimize stem cell-derived islets with Breakthrough T1D donor funding and create them in a way that would reduce manufacturing costs and increase access and availability.

“Our goal is to develop made-in-Canada therapies for type 1 diabetes that are affordable and accessible, continuing Canada’s history of improving the quality of life of people with diabetes around the world,” Dr. Kieffer says.

Leadership gifts made to John Cammet’s 4X matching challenge will support Dr. Kieffer’s work, as well as projects led by:

• Dr. Megan Levings and team, whose work aims to rewire the immune system not to attack beta cells
• Dr. Francis Lynn and team, who are creating sophisticated, gene-edited beta cells from stem cells
• Dr. Patrick MacDonald and team, whose open-source database of islets is helping researchers worldwide advance their potential cure therapies
• Dr. Cristina Nostro and team, whose protocol for high-yield stem cell-derived islets is improving the future availability of these cell therapies
• Dr. James Shapiro and team, who are optimizing the seminal Edmonton Protocol to work for cell therapies (derived from the body’s own cells) that should not require immune suppression drugs
• Dr. Elizabeth Rideout and team, who are investigating how T1D presents differently in the male and female sexes
• Dr. Peter Thompson and team, whose research seeks to uncover why some beta cells work better than others, and now to harness those differences to create precision therapies
• Dr. Diane Wherrett and her nationwide team of 30+ multidisciplinary experts, who are piloting and establishing the groundwork for potential general population T1D screening in Canada – more relevant now than ever as disease-modifying therapies come to market that can delay disease onset

You can learn more about researchers funded by donors to Breakthrough T1D here: BreakthroughT1D.ca/research/meet-the-researchers/

Breakthrough T1D Canada is deeply grateful to John Cammett and all the donors who are making this research possible and bringing us closer than ever to closing our $100M Campaign to Accelerate ($14M left to raise) and, more importantly, to cures for T1D.

“Breakthrough T1D has the passion and track record to achieve its mission, advancing cures for type 1 diabetes,” says John. “The most defining feature between success and failure is good leadership. I am confident Breakthrough T1D will lead the world toward type 1 diabetes cures that will work for all who need them.”

To learn more or make a 4X match leadership gift, please contact:
Kim Lacombe

For many families newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), Halloween can feel overwhelming – a holiday centered on candy when you’re just figuring out carb counting and nutrition. However, with the right tools and knowledge, Halloween can and should be just as fun for your child.

Here are some helpful tips for having a T1D scare-free Halloween!

Make a Plan

Plan ahead to help make a potentially challenging holiday manageable. It’s important to make sure that teachers, neighbors, and temporary caregivers all know how to handle the abundance of snacks and excitement. Things they should know include:

• The amount of candy you are comfortable with your child consuming
• How you plan to manage insulin dosing based on activity level, blood glucose readings, and treats
• Any foods they should avoid due to allergies or gluten intolerance
• The symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) and high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and how to treat each
• A parent or guardian’s contact information

For more information on T1D and nutrition, please visit: BreakthroughT1D.ca/life-with-t1d/nutrition

Candy	Size	Total Carbohydrate Grams
Blow Pop	1 Pop	13g
Candy Corn	10 pieces	19g (1.9g per piece)
Fun size candy bar	1 bar	10-15g
Hershey’s Kiss (milk chocolate)	1 Kiss	2.8g
Jolly Rancher (hard candy)	1 piece	6g
M&Ms (fun size bag)	1 bag	9.7g
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup	1 piece	12g
Skittles	1 bag	14g
Sour Patch Kids (fun size bag)	1 bag	11g
Starburst (fun size)	1 pack (2 pieces)	8g
Swedish Fish (fun size bag)	1 bag	11g
Twizzlers Twists (fun size)	1 piece	7g

Trick-or-Treating

Running around during the evening hours may not be a part of your child’s typical routine. Here are a few tips to ensure that trick-or-treat outgoings go smoothly:

• The activity and excitement around trick-or-treating can cause low blood glucose, so talk to your diabetes healthcare team about setting a lower temporary basal rate to account for the extra nighttime exercise.
• Cooler temperatures can contribute to low blood glucose. Regardless of the type of costume, make sure your child stays warm.
• No matter how complicated the costume, pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) should be easily accessible. Find a place for your child’s insulin pump and CGM under their costume. There are a variety of products designed to hold T1D supplies and gear to make the outing easier for everyone.
• Have a plan for eating candy and other foods while trick-or-treating.
• Take inventory! Sneakily consumed candy could be the explanation for elevated Halloween blood glucose levels. All of those treats can be tempting.

Halloween Treat Alternatives

People with T1D should enjoy Halloween treats, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative!

• Save some candy for treating lows. Candies that have dextrose as a key ingredient, like Skittles, are great for quickly bringing up blood glucose. Candies with higher fat content, like chocolate bars, are not ideal for treating lows.
• Turn some of your child’s pile of candy into “currency” they can use to “buy” a book, toy, computer time, or other fun activity. You can donate this uneaten candy, so it’s win-win.
• Give back to others! Food banks and groups fighting hunger will often accept candy donations.

Have fun! Halloween should be a blast for all kids, including those with T1D. We hope these tips and tricks ensure your Halloween is fun, not frightful!