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.
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.
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 toAccelerate, 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.
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:
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
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!
This annual event is one of the largest diabetes conferences in the world, and Breakthrough T1D staff, partners, and funded researchers were in attendance to participate, share new data, and stay current on the state of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and the pathway to cures.
EASD 2025 shared insights into the latest on beta cell replacement therapies, smart insulins, screening and early detection and making clinical trials more diverse and inclusive across the full spectrum of the T1D community.
Updates on beta cell replacement therapies
Insulin producing cells (known as beta cells) are destroyed by the immune system in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Finding ways to replace these cells and have them produce insulin again in someone with T1D is one of the more promising pathways to cures. There were a number of beta cell replacement therapies discussed at EASD, from investigations in their early stages to research trials which involve humans.
Vertex FORWARD trial of zimislecel (previously called VX-880) is currently the most advanced stem-cell derived islet replacement trial. Of the 12 individuals that have reached the one-year mark post-transplant, all have resolved severe hypoglycemic events, reduced HbA1c to 7% or less, and 10 of 12 are off insulin.
Breakthrough T1D’s support for Doug Melton, Ph.D. ( USA)—whose proprietary lab-created beta cells are now being advanced by Vertex—goes back decades, both via research grants and an investment from the T1D Fund: A Breakthrough T1D Venture. We look forward to what data emerges when the Phase 1/2/3 trial is completed in the coming months.
Dr. Maria Nostro, Ph.D. (Toronto, ON), a Breakthrough T1D Canada-funded researcher, also presented on her beta cell replacement protection strategy: macrophages. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that we have learned are present in the developing pancreas. The idea is that the macrophages can be implanted alongside the beta cells during islet transplant and it will help protect and vascularize the cells. This research is still pre-clinical but represents another “shot on goal” to keep these cells safe.
Adocia (France) presented pre-clinical data on a product called AdoShell. This is an implantable device which contains insulin producing beta cells and does not require immune suppression. The company is acquiring funding to move to their first-in-human trial in 2026.
Allarta(Ontario, Canada), funded by Breakthrough T1D International, also presented pre-clinical data regarding implanted immune-evasive solutions which have the potential to replace insulin for people with T1D. Their unique design has been tested in animal models, with promising initial results. The company has said their products are scalable and there is a clear path to clinical use.
Orizuru Therapeutics (Japan) presented data on their investigational cell therapy composed of human manufactured islets derived from adult cells that were reprogrammed to precursor cells and eventually islets. This is one of the first cell therapies for T1D derived from reprogrammed adult cells, and this therapy is suitable for manufacturing at large scale. Earlier this year, these cells were implanted into a person with T1D as multiple “sheets” in the abdominal wall. Orizuru expects to share results in the coming months.
Early detection and beta cell protection
A significant discussion at EASD was the importance of early detection for T1D. Presenters discussed benefits, harms, and methods of T1D screening; who should be screened and how often; and how to effectively communicate screening results. In Canada, CanScreen T1D is a screening research consortium funded by Breakthrough T1D and CIHR to investigate population-level screening. Benefits of screening, such as prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis, time to prepare for diagnosis, early control of hyperglycemia that can reduce the risk of complications, and opportunities to delay progression with approved therapies or experimental therapies in clinical trials.
Disease-modifying therapies are those which alter the course of disease progression, including therapies that are taken in early stage T1D to delay or prevent the onset of T1D. Tzield (teplizumab), which was recently approved by Health Canada is the only regulator-approved biologic that can delay the onset of clinical T1D by an average of two years.
Experimental therapies presented at EASD include:
Anti-thymocyte Globulin (ATG): Results from the MELD-ATG study were presented by Chantal Mathieu, M.D., Ph.D. (Belgium). This therapy, which is routinely used in organ transplants, was investigated at a minimal low-dose in individuals aged 5-25 newly diagnosed with T1D. Participants who received low dose ATG demonstrated clinically significant higher C-peptide levels (an indicator of beta cell function) during the treatment period compared to placebo. This was accompanied by lower HbA1c levels.
Baricitinib: The Australian-run, Breakthrough T1D-funded BANDIT trial reported initial, very promising results last year, and presented updated 2-year results at EASD. In individuals aged 10-30 years newly diagnosed with T1D, Baricitinib (taken orally for 48-weeks) improved C-peptide levels compared to placebo at the 1-year follow up point. When treatment was stopped, C-peptide levels fell and insulin needs increased, demonstrating a progression of T1D without continued treatment. This justifies the need for further studies of longer duration treatment, particularly since the drug is administered orally and well tolerated.
Verapamil: The Ver-a-T1D trial across Europe presented results on the use of verapamil, a commonly used blood pressure medication, for beta cell preservation in newly diagnosed individuals aged 18-44 years. Despite some initial clinical studies that suggested it may protect beta cells, the results of the Ver-a-T1D study showed no significant improvement in C-peptide, insulin dose, or CGM metrics in the verapamil group compared to the placebo group. However, verapamil is still being explored as a high-potential candidate to lower beta cell stress given in combination with immunomodulatory disease-modifying therapies (such as the three listed above) to dampen the autoimmune attack.
Since ATG, baricitinib, and verapamil are already approved for use outside of T1D, they could be cost-effective prevention therapies for early stage T1D.
New oral and smart insulins
New insulins are being developed to that more closely mimic naturally occurring insulin in the body of someone without T1D. These include both oral insulins and faster acting insulins.
Dr. Nicholas Hunt (Australia) presented initial research into the challenging topic of oral insulin. Initial results from the trial in various animal models showed a dose dependent effect which had a low risk of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). The company is looking to move to phase 1 human trials next year in Australia.
Dr. Matt Webber (USA) presented a topic on fast-acting insulins. He has recently been investigating smart insulins that work faster and are responsive to glucose. These insulins would form ‘depots’ under the skin and would be soluble in the presence of glucose. There would be challenges to use this insulin in T1D, as the insulin has a long duration of up to one week, which would increase the risk of hypoglycemia. With funding from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, he will continue research to try and develop a once-a-day insulin for people with T1D, which would allow for greater freedom and flexibility in T1D management.
Improving diversity and inclusion in T1D clinical trials
Data was presented that highlighted the lack of diversity and inclusion in T1D trials globally. Analysis of current research into chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetes showed the majority participants were of White-Caucasian background, which is not representative of the current population.
Daniel Newman (UK) a former Breakthrough T1D UK staff member offered his perspective as a Black man living with T1D. He spoke of experiencing diabetes distress and feeling under-represented within T1D research. He amplified that research is for everyone, and how representation matters.
Diabetes distress is defined as a range of emotional responses to living with and managing diabetes. This can include feeling overwhelmed with the burden of managing diabetes; fear and worries about complications or experiencing a severe low; feeling defeated, discouraged, or burned out when you are not meeting your blood glucose targets despite your best efforts to manage them.
It is important to recognize that living with diabetes distress is not the same as clinical depression. Diabetes distress can be a common response to living with a chronic disease. The EASD guideline aims to support primary care providers and other clinicians to better support their patients affected by diabetes distress.
The guideline includes specific recommendations for healthcare professionals on regular assessment and management of diabetes distress in adults with diabetes in clinical practice, including use of validated tools to identify diabetes distress and referring to specialist support where needed. The guideline will help to better standardize care for diabetes distress across diverse healthcare settings. It may also help people with T1D to better advocate for themselves with their healthcare providers.
Breakthrough T1D Canada has long recognized the need for holistic T1D care that includes mental health considerations and a better understanding of diabetes distress and is pleased to see this be highlighted at EASD.
Advances in T1D technology
Diabetes technology companies from across the globe attended EASD, discussing their new technology to make managing T1D easier.
Abbot Laboratories presented new research into their continuous ketone monitor (CKM) which will be integrated into their continuous glucose monitor (CGM) models. Alongside measuring blood glucose, it is important to measure blood ketones for people with T1D. If ketone levels become too high, it can lead to a life-threatening complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
This would be a first-of-its-kind device that would enable people with diabetes to continuously monitor glucose and ketones in a single sensor. This device could redefine care for people with diabetes who are at risk for developing DKA. They will be seeking regulatory approval for this device when the clinical trials are completed.
AccuCheck presented data on a predictive CGM model. This means that the CGM can estimate what your blood glucose level will be in the future (up to two hours) and work with an insulin pump to correct your levels. It also has low glucose prediction and a night-time low prediction function. These could help to significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycemia for people using the device.
These devices are not yet approved or on the market in Canada, but we will provide updates as soon as they become available.
The path to fully closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems
Hybrid closed-loop (HCL) or automated insulin delivery (AID) systems use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM paired with an insulin pump to adjust insulin delivery based on real-time glucose levels. These systems still require mealtime and physical activity announcements. These were recommended for all people with T1D in the recently published Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines.
While these devices can be transformative for people with T1D, they can still be onerous to use and fully closed-loop systems aren’t widely available for T1D yet.
In this session, Moshe Phillip, M.D., Katrien Benhalima, M.D., Ph.D., and Charlotte Boughton, M.D., Ph.D., explored the benefits of currently available AID systems and fully closed-loop AID systems on the horizon.
Based on clinical trial data and real-world evidence, hybrid closed-loop systems improve time-in-range (TIR) and reduce HbA1c levels without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. This translates to better outcomes and quality of life for people with T1D.
Different AID systems will work better for different people, depending on preferences for blood glucose management. Because there have been limited head-to-head trials comparing two or more AID systems, there is no evidence that any one system is definitively better than another.
A clinical trial for the CamAPS HX fully closed-loop AID system in the UK increased TIR by 50% compared to 36% in people using standard pump therapy with a CGM—amounting to three additional hours each day of blood glucose in target range. Participants reported improved mood and sleep, less stress, and reduced diabetes burden. Similar improvements in blood glucose and daily life were reported in adolescents.
Next-generation AID systems under investigation include two or more hormones for optimal glycemic control, artificial intelligence, and “digital twin” simulation tools.
Initial clinical studies using fully closed-loop systems with T1D demonstrated significant improvements in blood glucose control and quality of life. In the meantime, hybrid closed-loop systems offer substantial benefits for people with T1D—and there are commercially available systems to choose from based on individual preferences in Canada.
Updates on heart and eye complications
Reducing T1D complications remains a major research focus area, and we fund research studies aimed at reducing eye, kidney and heart complications resulting from T1D.
Data from the LENS trial(UK) was presented, which found that fenofibrate—a generic and affordable cholesterol-lowering medication—can reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy in people with T1D and type 2 diabetes. A follow-up study in the UK found that fenofibrate is a cost-effective option for diabetic retinopathy, especially for those living with T1D. In conjunction with these studies, the recruiting Breakthrough T1D International-funded Protocol AF trial is further investigating fenofibrate in preventing progression of diabetic retinopathy in people with T1D.
Data from the long-running FinnDiane cohort (Finland) were presented on the relationship between cumulative exposure to glycemia or lipids and heart failure, one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality in T1D. The study found that both cumulative glycemic exposure (defined as time spent with HbA1c levels > 7%) and cumulative lipid exposure (LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol) are independently associated with increased risk for heart failure. The publication highlighting these findings includes a call to action for healthcare providers to help people with T1D minimize high blood glucose levels and lipid exposure, and support and encourage the best diabetes management possible to reduce risk for heart complications.
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Breakthrough T1D will be represented by Canadian and International staff at the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes 2025 Conference, which will take place November 5-8 in Montreal, Canada. We’ll provide updates from that research conference that targets the younger cohort of people living with T1D.
It’s never been a more exciting time in global T1D research both in projects aimed at improving lives today and those working tirelessly towards cures and our shared goal of a world free from type 1 diabetes.
Thanksgiving in Canada is often seen as the unofficial start of autumn, the air has turned crisper, and the evenings have a welcoming chill. Many people look forward to cozy season, donning a favourite sweater and feeling the crunch of the leaves under their boots.
But it’s also the start of the unofficial holiday ‘eating’ season and is known for being a carbohydrate-heavy and rich meal. This can bring with it stress for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), particularly those who are new to living with the disease. But with a little preparation, you can enjoy all the holiday has to offer.
Below are some tips and suggestions to make managing Thanksgiving meals with T1D a little easier, along with a carb count table of some of the more commonly eaten foods, snacks and desserts.
Consider downloading a carb counting app, like Roche’s mySugr app, Diabetes M, Quin, which can be connected to a flash glucose sensor (Quin is free but only available on IOS) or apps from your device manufacturers. Visit the website of the manufacturer of your device to find out more.
Carbs and Cals lets you take a photo of your meal, and the app searches its library of over 19,000 foods to give you the nutritional information you need.
MyFitnessPal app includes a database of over 14 million foods so you can find out nutritional information about what you’re eating, including the amount of carbs. It has a handy barcode scanner for ready-made products, and you can also add your own foods.
There is a free version and a paid version which has more features. The app is compatible with iOS and Android.
If you’re not preparing the meal, speak to the host and ask what they’re planning on making. Being armed with this knowledge ahead of time can help you better prepare, including meals and snacks you’ll eat in advance of the Thanksgiving dinner. Knowing what’s going to be on offer can help you feel better prepared and more in control over your carb consumption. You could also offer to bring a lower carb side dish, or another protein.
Don’t hesitate to use measuring cups if you’re still not confident in eyeballing portion sizes. Having more precise measurements can help with insulin dosage and help you stay in range.
You can still enjoy more carb heavy dishes like mashed potatoes, or candied yams but consider making more of your plate the lowest carb options, like green vegetables and proteins. If you’re going to partake in alcoholic beverages, make sure to factor them into your meal-planning as well.
Why not take a family walk after the Thanksgiving meal? A leisurely walk after a big meal is beneficial to everyone, and it’s a nice time to relax and bond with guests while also working off some of what you’ve eaten.
Thanksgiving is known as the holiday of relaxing – and eating. But T1D doesn’t take the day off for the holiday. However, with some preparation, you can feel comfortable, empowered and enjoy Thanksgiving as it’s meant to be.
Thank you to Beyond Type 1 for these commonly eaten holiday food carb counts.
The J. Andrew McKee Fellowship in Type 1 Diabetes was developed to accelerate Canadian research, develop talent and augment Canada’s global leadership in T1D research. The Fellowship Program is named in honour and memory of John Andrew McKee, who was Past President and CEO at Breakthrough T1D (then known as JDRF) and a long-standing member and Chair of SCN’s Board of Directors. Andrew played a significant role in developing the future of both organizations and believed deeply in the important role of science in making Canada a better place for all.
Dr. Awoke will be joining the Breakthrough T1D Centre of Excellence from Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom) where he was a PhD Researcher in Biomedical Science with focus on developing new therapeutics for metabolic diseases and their complications.
Dr. Awoke will be researching islet prohormones as biomarkers of disease prediction and response to immuno-and cell therapy, which has the potential to impact clinical practice and improve T1D prediction and treatment.
Dr. Awoke took some time out of his very busy schedule to discuss his research and what he hopes to accomplish through the Fellowship.
Tell us a bit about your background:
I completed my BSc in biochemistry at Ebonyi State University (Nigeria). This offered me an excellent background knowledge on the molecular basis of disease development. Then, I went to the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), for my MSc in clinical pharmacology, where I engaged in studies related to obesity and diabetes for my research project.
Both degrees created the much-needed scientific curiosity and passion to engage in more in-depth studies to understand the molecular basis of obesity and diabetes. Then, I did my PhD in biomedical science at Nottingham Trent University, where I investigated the anti-inflammatory actions of carnosine in metabolic diseases.
I am now taking up postdoctoral training at Breakthrough T1D Centre of Excellence, UBC, where I will investigate islet prohormones as potential biomarkers of T1D prediction and response to immuno-and cell therapy. I am hopeful this will contribute positively to clinical practice and improvement in T1D, prediction, prognosis, and management.
What made you apply for this Fellowship?
As my PhD research was winding down, I was gearing up to move forward to the next phase of my career development, which is postdoctoral research training. More to this is that my MSc and PhD degrees were all done in the UK, so, I wanted to go elsewhere, like Canada, which is also a global leader in diabetes research. Therefore, I looked out for postdoctoral fellowships in Canada in the field of diabetes research like the J. Andrew McKee Fellowship in Type 1 Diabetes. This prestigious fellowship is open for young talented early career researchers like me from anywhere in the world to come to Canada and contribute to Canada’s global leadership in T1D research.
So, I believed it was the ideal fellowship for me, and which will spark my dynamic career progression in T1D research in addition to my overall career goals and aspiration of becoming an independent researcher and a PI in the future.
What drew you to type 1 diabetes as a research field?
Sadly, I had a lovely foster sister who passed away as a teenager due to T1D. Growing up, I could still remember how she solely depended on insulin administration and how crucial the situation was anytime her supply of insulin was exhausted.
This sparked my interest, curiosity, and passion to know more about T1D. I also know other families and friends in my community who live with T1D and the enormous burden of the disease on them. I therefore thought that if someone could discover insulin that has continued to help millions of lives globally, then maybe I could help save additional lives through my research in T1D. So, I believe my research could bring great relief to those families with T1D and increase their quality of life. I know that perhaps seems too ambitious, but where there is a will, there is a way.
Tell us more about the research you will be conducting at the Breakthrough T1D Centre of Excellence at UBC?
My research at UBC will focus on the islet prohormones as biomarkers of T1D prediction, prognosis, and response to immuno- and cell therapy. Firstly, insulin and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) are the key hormones produced by islet beta cells.
These hormones are implicated in T1D due to their key roles in regulation of glucose metabolism and homeostasis. Interestingly, they are first produced as precursor peptides known as proinsulin and proIAPP. However, only healthy and differentiated beta cells can properly process these precursors to their fully mature and active forms. Incompletely processed proinsulin and proIAPP may therefore correlate with beta-cell dysfunction in T1D and may also be useful in predicting progression to T1D, response to immunotherapy, and beta-cell transplant failure.
So, I will utilize several advanced techniques at the Breakthrough T1D Centre of Excellence at UBC to discover, validate, and assess these prohormones in diverse lab/clinical T1D models. The overall goal is to utilize them as effective biomarkers to improve T1D prediction and prognosis, which will positively impact clinical practice in T1D treatment and management.
How is the Breakthrough T1D-SCN fellowship going to advance this research?
This fellowship is so amazing and all-encompassing. I like the fact that it is tailored towards both the training of the Fellow and doing the actual research.
I will primarily be supervised by Dr Bruce Verchere whose lab has already shown strong preliminary evidence that some forms of incompletely processed proIAPP and proinsulin are disproportionately elevated in persons with T1D as well as in recipients of islet transplants prior to graft failure.
So, this fellowship will provide the needed resources to investigate these prohormones on more diverse and larger scale lab/clinical models, which have not been done before. Another fantastic aspect is that through the framework of this fellowship, we will also collaborate with other Breakthrough T1D Centre of Excellence labs in stem cell differentiation and beta-cell function assessment to effectively realize the overall goal of this project.
What are you most excited about with your move from the UK to Vancouver?
Firstly, UBC is within the top tier universities known for research excellence in various fields globally. They are also renowned for various research breakthroughs in diabetes both in Canada and globally. So, I am super excited to begin my postdoctoral training at such a world-class university known for research excellence as I believe it will have a huge impact on my career advancement.
Then, I really love the natural beauty of coastal areas and the beautiful mountain views in Vancouver. So, I can’t wait to enjoy the adventures of looking and walking through these amazing natural wonders outside my lab/work hours in Vancouver. Finally, I have learnt from my friend that Vancouver is a very diverse and inclusive cosmopolitan city with different ethnic nationalities. Therefore, it will be amazing to meet and work with people from diverse multicultural backgrounds in Vancouver.
***
Breakthrough T1D Canada is grateful to Dr. Awoke for his time and congratulates him on the fellowship award. Thank you, Dr. Awoke for contributing to critical cure-based T1D research and further strengthening Canada as a global leader in this field.
On October 23, 2025, some of Canada’s top business leaders are trading boardrooms for bright lights—all to help accelerate breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
At Humour Me, they will step out of their comfort zones and take the stage with original stand-up comedy routines vying for the title of “Funniest Amateur”, while raising critical funds to support Breakthrough T1D’s $100M Campaign to Accelerate.
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.
This year’s headliner is none other than 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. He also boasts numerous awards for his comedy, writing, and performances on TV shows like The Newsroom.
An event with a legacy of giving back, now directed to T1D research
Humour Me is an iconic comedy fundraiser that has generated over $25 million for worthy causes over the past 15 years, and we’re thrilled to turn the spotlight on T1D research this year on October 23 at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.
Lori Pearson, Vice-Chair of presenting sponsor Brookfield and one of the brave amateur comedians, shares her family’s story and why the proceeds from this event are important to them:
“When our daughter Ginny was 7, her life changed forever, as did our family’s. Ginnie was extremely sick, so we took her to SickKids Hospital, where she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. About a week later, when we had returned from the hospital, I was sitting with Ginny when she asked, ‘So, when do the needles stop?’ It broke our hearts. Fast-forward over 20 years to today, and Ginny still battles with the daily highs and lows of T1D. Thanks to donor-funded research, she now wears an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor, so there are fewer needles and pokes. However, the constant fear of complications, carb-counting, and the mental health impacts of the disease will always live with her until we have a cure. That’s why giving to T1D research is important to us, whether it leads to a cure in the long-term, more short-term ways of improving disease management, or preventing it for those who have not been diagnosed yet.”
Lori is terrified by the thought of delivering a stand-up routine in front of hundreds, but says she is willing to step WAY out of her comfort zone for the cause – a sentiment shared by most who brave the legendary Elgin stage at Humour Me. Other comedians include Andrew Oliver, whose sister Vanessa and late father Peter famously left their own comfort zones at ground level when they courageously camped atop flagpoles for T1D research.
To see these brave souls rack up the laughs—and dollars—for T1D research, consider sponsoring the event, taking place Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Learn more at https://humourme.ca/sponsorships/
Learn where to find resources and information to help support your child with T1D thrive in their new school year.
Receiving a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) for your child can be an overwhelming time for parents. Learning to manage the disease and adjusting to the new normal can bring significant stress to a family. And even when a family has adapted to life with T1D, new stages in school can bring with them additional stressors.
T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin. There are approximately 300,000 Canadians living with T1D in Canada. Canada has one of the fastest growing rates of diagnosis in the world, and it’s not known why, and the highest diagnosis demographic are youth aged approximately 11-14 years old, although it can be diagnosed as young as infancy and into adulthood. There is currently no way to prevent the onset of T1D, and there are no cures.
People living with T1D must constantly measure blood glucose levels and administer insulin externally, either via multiple daily injections, smart pens or insulin pumps every single day in order to stay alive. It’s a steep learning curve, and one that can change day-to-day – which can cause additional anxiety when it’s time for a child with T1D to start a new school year.
And even with these tools, the risks of hyper or hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose going too low or high) are always present. This requires carrying fast-acting sources of sugar everywhere you go and ensuring there are always snacks available. This could mean your child has to eat at times when their fellow students don’t. This feeling of being ‘different’ can make school a scary place for a child with T1D. Talking to their teachers ahead of time and having a few trusted friends in their class can help.
School transitions also come with new challenges. Moving from elementary to middle or high school can mean your child might want to exert more independence over their T1D management, with less parental oversight and involvement. And while this is an important step in any child’s path to autonomy and young adulthood, it doesn’t make the transition any easier for the parents or the worry they feel any easier.
Both Breakthrough T1D Canada, and in particular Diabetes at School are great places to start. On their websites, parents can find a wide range of checklists, training materials to offer educators, and resources to help students feel more prepared and empowered to manage their T1D while at school.
Ensure your child’s school is prepared, and where to find resources
Educate teachers and administrators about the rights of students with type 1 diabetes at school
Advocate for your child or youth with type 1 diabetes
Breakthrough T1D Canada is the largest non-profit in Canada driving towards cures for T1D while making everyday life better for people affected by T1D. Its advocacy program Access For All connects with all levels of government to ensure that diabetes technologies like advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps are universally accessible and affordable for all Canadians with T1D. These are life-saving devices that improve disease management and outcomes and can make the transition back to school a little less fraught.
Breakthrough T1D Canada also offers a number of support services to help families through a new type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis, provides resources to better navigate T1D and make personal connections with those who share similar experiences to earn from those who have been there already. Breakthrough T1D Canada wants to make sure that at whatever stage of the T1D journey a family may be on, they never feel alone.
Starting a new school year brings with it a unique set of challenges for any student, and this is only heightened when you add type 1 diabetes. But with the right tools, resources and support, you can send your child off to school with confidence.
Breakthrough T1D Canada was proud to have representatives included in this important advocacy event.
The Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress advocacy program organized by Breakthrough T1D International in the United States, was inspired by a boy from Massachusetts named Tommy Solo (one of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) role models at the event). At age nine, he asked his mother, “Why can’t kids go to Washington and tell their Representatives about what it is like to have type 1 diabetes and let them know that we want scientists to find a cure?” His mom and other volunteers agreed, and in 1999, the first-ever Children’s Congress took place in Washington, D.C.
Since then, 12 successful Children’s Congresses have been held, one every other year, and more than 1,000 kids with T1D have served as Delegates. Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress has been essential to securing continued government funding of T1D research and to raise awareness of the daily burden of Americans living with this serious autoimmune disease.
The 2025 selected Delegates represented all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Breakthrough T1D’s five International Affiliates (Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom).
Delegates form lifelong friendships, meet T1D role models, develop leadership skills, and leave Children’s Congress empowered to use their voices for the change that will improve their lives and the lives of all people affected by T1D.
This year, the Children’s Congress took place between July 7-9 and brought over 170 children between the ages of 4-17 to Washington DC to meet face-to-face with US lawmakers and advocate for change.
Advocacy priorities focused primarily on ensuring the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program, a critical program that provides dedicated funding for T1D research at the National Institutes of Health. First created in 1997, $3.5 billion has been provided to date and has yielded at least $50 billion in federal healthcare savings.
Breakthrough T1D Canada’s ambassador representative was Emily Gervais, a 12-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta. Since her diagnosis at age 8, Emily and her family have been active in raising funds for Breakthrough T1D Canada and T1D research, including events like basketball tournaments, raffles, sponsorship events, and fundraisers.
As an advocate, Emily also involved her whole school in raising awareness for T1D by hosting a cotton candy sale. She has also volunteered with her family at the 2024 Edmonton Breakthrough T1D Walk, along with fundraising, has spoken at the Edmonton Breakthrough T1D Ride and has participated in Kids for Cure in the Community, advocating to local leaders for increased T1D awareness and support.
Emily prepared for the Children’s Congress by creating a scrapbook to share her T1D journey including her diagnosis, the devices she uses and the people who support her, her hobbies, and what a cure would mean to her. This scrapbook was left at the Canadian Embassy for the Canadian Ambassador to review.
Emily also made sure that Canadian-specific advocacy needs were included, when at the Canadian Embassy she shared how important it was to continue funding research for the approximately 300,000 Canadians living with T1D.
The role models she met with, the relationships she made, and the skills she developed at the Children’s Congress will all stay with her as she continues to advocate for the T1D community in the future.
In her own words: “Meeting new friends, being one of the first kids to get a T1D Barbie and going to the Senate hearing was something I will never forget. One of the best parts was when an alarm (her CGM notifying her of low blood glucose) beeped and it felt normal. No stares from other kids, just people checking if it was them! I really hope the SDP (special diabetes program) is renewed so we can get more money for research and a cure one day soon!!”
Breakthrough T1D Canada staff member Joey Wong was also in attendance at the Children’s Congress, sharing that by attending Children’s Congress, he saw firsthand how valuable it was for children diagnosed at an early age to find that they belonged to a community.
Delegates saw that they were not alone and there were others their age that had similar experiences as they did living with this disease. Younger delegates felt empowered to participate in event activities, and older delegates were not shy in acting as mentors. For some, the friendships they made will be life-lasting bonds.
They also benefited from hearing from T1D Role Models with backgrounds in journalism, athletics, fashion, and entertainment, who answered questions from delegates. These are inspiring individuals who, despite living with T1D, continued pursuing their passions and excelled in their fields. The Role Models shared their own personal T1D story and how they manage and overcome the disease in their own lives.
He was moved by a T1D community united in using their voices to advocate and drive positive change. Delegates and parents alike were motivated to share their story with anyone willing to listen and learn more about T1D. They were more than happy to explain the daily challenges of the disease, dispel any misconceptions and/or biases, and bring attention to how Congress can help.
During the same week the Children’s Congress took place, new legislation was introduced with bipartisan support to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, which was set to expire in September.
Regardless of age, Breakthrough T1D advocates continue to impress. Some delegates have little to no experience in advocacy and are nervous because of it, but it does not show in their meetings and instead, they put on a brave face when meeting with lawmakers and their staff. During meetings, it was clear that delegates are passionate about creating awareness, articulate in voicing their opinions, and determined to make a difference.
Kids for a Cure
Breakthrough T1D Canada holds our own advocacy event like the Children’s Congress, called Kids for a Cure, where young advocates living with T1D from across Canada to meet federal lawmakers in Ottawa to raise awareness of the disease and advocate for funding research progress towards a cure.
Kids for a Cure advocates are provided training and develop leadership and communication skills all while advocating for federal support of T1D research.
Advocacy remains one of the most important areas of Breakthrough T1D Canada’s work in improving the lives of Canadians living with T1D. Breakthrough T1D advocates are crucial in raising awareness, driving progress, and advancing breakthroughs.
By amplifying the voice of the T1D community, Breakthrough T1D Canada has been successful in bringing positive policy changes in Canada including:
Kids for a Cure returns in 2026 and while it is still too early to start accepting applications, there will be plenty of opportunities for advocates.
Make your voice heard now:
Breakthrough T1D is engaging with Canada’s federal government, and you can use your voice to let your Member of Parliament know how they can support the T1D community in Canada. Advocates looking to get involved can do so by participating in our Federal Outreach Program Advocacy in Action and meeting with their Member of Parliament. Click here to sign up: BreakthroughT1D.ca/get-involved/advocate/
Breakthrough T1D Canada Board Member Matt Varey rode across Canada in support of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research
On May 3, Matt Varey, a longtime volunteer with Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF) and current Co-Chair of the Breakthrough T1D International Board, began a 61 day, 7400km+ journey to cycle across Canada. At 61, Matt had recently retired from a long career with RBC and though he has no personal connection to type 1 diabetes, he has become a passionate advocate over the past 20 years for Canadians living with T1D. Matt’s goal was to raise $500,000 and he surpassed it, raising over $535,000 and counting.
Matt’s journey saw all four seasons of weather as he crossed the country, and he endured excruciatingly long days, injury, and with no rest stops, truly tested his own mental and physical endurance on the road. Travelling with Matt was his wife, Andrea, and their dog, Handel, and they were joined by several of Matt’s lifelong best friends along the way. Matt’s friends Kirk, Stew and Steve had his back from the first day Matt and AJ decided on this journey, and they dropped everything to join him on the road; the mark of true friendship. Their team was small but what they’ve accomplished for the type 1 diabetes community has been extraordinary.
On July 2, Matt finished his ride in Halifax by dipping his tire in the Atlantic Ocean, book-ending a similar dip on May 3 in Victoria in the Pacific Ocean at the start of his journey. It was the emotional culmination of an audacious but incredibly meaningful journey.
Breakthrough T1D Canada spoke with Matt following his Ride to discuss his amazing once-in-a-lifetime personal journey and achievement in support of critical T1D research and support for the T1D community.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: How are you feeling today?
Matt: I feel tremendous. And let me tell you that the reason I’m feeling tremendous is because AJ and I were blown away by the absolute kindness, generosity, and sheer humility of society. That’s what I think about every day. The generosity we experienced everywhere we went across this country. We were both just so incredibly touched by how much people truly cared about the mission and the purpose. So, that’s how I feel.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What surprised you the most?
Matt: Oh wow, several things surprised me, and I will share them in no particular order. Mother Nature surprised me. She thew so many different environments at us, you just had to have this ability to adapt and not get upset. I was continually surprised by how she can change the environment so quickly, and so sharply. This surprised both my wife and me.
Mother Nature can be relentless but at the same time, she can create serenity in the mornings, and at night. Really, the whole natural aspect of the journey, from the birds waking me up in the morning to the birds putting me to bed at night. The noises, the sound of the wind through the trees.
And then as I rode through tougher terrain, and through the areas heavily impacted by forest fires, it seemed to me that the trees were crying, We saw Mother Nature angry with the forest fires. You just saw the forest was sad, tired and dry. And when we saw the smoke, I thought it was Mother Nature crying. And that was unexpected but moving in its own way.
I thought I understood before, but I was in fact still surprised also by the beauty and diversity of Mother Nature, by the sheer beauty of Canada that I had not experienced until this ride. Cycling through just some of the most beautiful places on earth, Northern Lake Superior, the sheer beauty of the Saint John River Valley, the beautiful white churches in southern Quebec, your senses come alive when you’re on the bike, I didn’t have modern day distractions. So, all my senses were on high alert, I could truly smell a farmer’s field, or the scent of fresh cut grass.
And then on the other side of that – I was surprised by how noisy society is. The constant noise of being so close to cars, transport trucks, so close to you all day. You could sense they were coming closer before they did or feel the respect and distance they might give because I was on a bike. You pick up societal noises so much more.
Another thing that AJ and I were surprised and touched by was the sheer trust that human beings give you despite not knowing you. How decent is that? You get a flat tire, there’s no bike shop in a rural community, just a truck stop – and they don’t fix bike tires. Except they do! They see me, a person out on the road needing help, and they jump to give that help.
We were in Lake Louise, Alberta, it was two degrees, and I was cycling through rain and sleet, and my chain broke. And people, they just dropped everything to help. As soon as we mentioned the purposeful journey we were on, people trust you immensely, and want to be a hand on your back, they want to be someone who uplifts and supports you.
I was doing my washing in a laundromat, and a man saw my shirt and asked me what it meant, what I was doing? After telling him, he reached into this pocket to take out $50 and give it to me with the request that I do good things with it. I was so moved by the enormous trust that people give you.
The other surprise was RBC. I always knew it was a purposeful organization; I knew it had a cultural heart and soul, but this was a whole new level. My former colleagues and friends, and the grassroots support they provided, and I’m retired – I don’t work there anymore! But it was just a steamroll of giving from coast to coast.
Nobody said they were too busy for the activation events (pitstops) they came out on in the middle of the day; they came out on weekends. They gave their time and energy in support of this purposeful journey, and that helped drive me. RBC proved to be a deeply human organization, all these folks had a choice, to go about their life, go about their job – they interrupted both to come out and show support.
And of course, we were surprised by the sheer emotions, and how much it impacted us both. Not everyone knows the details of that.
The Breakthrough T1D ambassadors, each one imprinted on me in a different way. AJ and I, we know that if you had T1D, you don’t have a choice but to be courageous. You must be every day. But what surprised us was their quiet determination, their poise, and how they move forward with positivity. How they truly believe that tomorrow is going to be better than today. It took our understanding about living with T1D and what that entails to a whole new level. And that too helped drive both of us every day.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: What did you learn on your journey?
Matt: You learn a tremendous amount about your body, both physically and mentally. It tells you physically, when you can power through, that you have more fuel in your tank. You know before you even get on the road when you are going to have a tough day. Your body gets mad at you. It doesn’t want to do the same thing for 60 straight days. It surprised me that my body gave me two million pedal strokes, but it got mad at me at the same time. It most definitely was angry at me more than once. But I did learn this – you always have more fuel in your tank than you think.
I learned that I needed to just really focus on the positives. When I was so tired and didn’t want to go another kilometre. I would look down at my arm and at the Breakthrough T1D tattoo I got before starting this journey, and I would think to myself ‘I don’t want to do this, but yes I can’. My mind and body taught me so much for so many varied reasons.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: How do you feel about your connection to the T1D community now?
The first word that intuitively comes to mind is that they are even more courageous than I realized over my two decades with this organization. The organizational heart of Breakthrough T1D, I always say that a mind can be convinced, but a heart needs to be won. And when you have both, like Breakthrough T1D does – you can do anything. It became even more apparent what a people-led and purposeful organization this is. And then getting to meet Ambassadors, parents of children with T1D, or even people my age who have been living with this disease for decades. It gave me confidence, and it gave me hope.
Listening to Jessica Diniz (President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada), Aaron Kowalski (President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D International) or board members – it just reinforced for both me and AJ that Breakthrough T1D is a family. It’s not simply an organization, it’s a family and everyone is connected because they are traveling on the same journey. Despite the difficulties of my specific journey, they came together with these family-like bonds. There are very few true bonds left in business. And Breakthrough T1D is a family from coast to coast at every level.
And we want to recognize as well the tremendous support of Katie, Lynne, Dennis and everyone at Breakthrough T1D Canada who worked tirelessly on this journey too. We have never known such a culture of support as the one at Breakthrough T1D.
Breakthrough T1D Canada: Any final thoughts?
Matt: My wife AJ is the most remarkable person that I have ever known. And what she did – for this journey, for me, was the most selfless act that I have ever known or seen or will ever experience. Without her, there was absolutely not a hope that I – but I mean we – could have done this journey. I love her dearly, but this took it to a whole new level.
Out of everything, I will remember what she did more than anything else. Life is about memories, and what I’m going to be left with are memories for life that I will never forget, and that have changed me.
This journey changed me. It made me look at things even more positively. We live in such a remarkable country, which is so kind and so beautiful in its soul. I could only experience that beauty by seeing it replicated over and over – in small towns, in big cities, in bike shops, pastry shops, restaurants, anywhere we went. The circulatory system of this country just pumps decency everywhere. I feel blessed to have experienced it and my gratitude can’t be properly expressed.
It’s also amazing how you can connect with society through social media. I had never used it before this event. But throughout my ride, I would read the comments on LinkedIn, especially when I was tired and didn’t want to get up, didn’t want to get back on my bike. But the humans on the other end would help keep me going. I never knew I could feel humanity that way through a computer. So, thank you to everyone who left me a note and helped fuel my commitment to this purposeful journey. You did more for me than you will ever realize.
I’m also so appreciative that Breakthrough T1D gave me and AJ the opportunity to do this, and I feel incredibly blessed and just so grateful to everyone at this organization, to the people I met out on the road, to the volunteers, to the ambassadors and to everyone who supported us along the way. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart – thank you.
***
Breakthrough T1D once again extends its enormous gratitude to Matt and AJ, to the volunteers, staff and everyone at RBC who contributed to the incredible success of Coast to Coast for Cures.
John has long supported 
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.
A significant discussion at EASD was the 
Diabetes technology companies from across the globe attended EASD, discussing their new technology to make managing T1D easier. 
Dr. Joshua N. Awoke, Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (
My research at UBC will focus on the islet prohormones as biomarkers of T1D prediction, prognosis, and response to immuno- and cell therapy. Firstly, insulin and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) are the key hormones produced by islet beta cells.
Receiving a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) for your child can be an overwhelming time for parents. Learning to manage the disease and adjusting to the new normal can bring significant stress to a family. And even when a family has adapted to life with T1D, new stages in school can bring with them additional stressors.
The role models she met with, the relationships she made, and the skills she developed at the Children’s Congress will all stay with her as she continues to advocate for the T1D community in the future.
On May 3, Matt Varey, a longtime volunteer with Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF) and current Co-Chair of the Breakthrough T1D International Board, began a 61 day, 7400km+ journey to cycle across Canada. At 61, Matt had recently retired from a long career with RBC and though he has no personal connection to type 1 diabetes, he has become a passionate advocate over the past 20 years for Canadians living with T1D. Matt’s goal was to raise $500,000 and he surpassed it, raising over $535,000 and counting.
And then on the other side of that – I was surprised by how noisy society is. The constant noise of being so close to cars, transport trucks, so close to you all day. You could sense they were coming closer before they did or feel the respect and distance they might give because I was on a bike. You pick up societal noises so much more.
This journey changed me. It made me look at things even more positively. We live in such a remarkable country, which is so kind and so beautiful in its soul. I could only experience that beauty by seeing it replicated over and over – in small towns, in big cities, in bike shops, pastry shops, restaurants, anywhere we went. The circulatory system of this country just pumps decency everywhere. I feel blessed to have experienced it and my gratitude can’t be properly expressed.