Where your money goes

Breakthrough T1D has a bold plan for the future of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. As better treatments unfold and the prospect of curing this disease is on the horizon, we remain committed to directing more resources towards innovative research across the country.

Our Impact

2023 was an impactful year that helped us to continue to advance our mission.

In research

Breakthrough T1D Canada and its affiliate partners are leading the international research effort to end T1D. Here’s how we moved the needle in 2023:

2022

8.8 million to T1D research in Canada

48 active research grants in Canada

14 active clinical trials in Canada

22 countries with active grants

375+ active research grants globally

2023

$10.4 million to advance T1D research in Canada

57 active research grants in Canada

15 active clinical trials in Canada

20 countries with active grants

375+ active research grants globally

$10.4 million funded to T1D research from Breakthrough T1D Canada

Through our advocacy

Advocacy saw incredible progress in 2023, with the federal and provincial governments making positive announcements for the T1D community.

To support Breakthrough T1D’s federal priorities, including research funding, and to raise awareness with decision-makers on the challenges of living with T1D:

2 All-Party Juvenile Diabetes Caucus meetings.

16 Advocacy in Action meetings.

6 speeches in the House/Senate.

32 signatures by MPs, Senators and Canadian Researchers in letters of support for Breakthrough T1D’s 2024 federal budget ask (then known as JDRF).

44 engagements with MPs, Senators and their respective staff (up from 33 engagements in 2023)

Access for All Campaign: Expanded coverage of devices in 4 provinces.

In our annual giving and event fundraising:

Beyond Insulin:


In 2023, Beyond Insulin donors gave $42,250, $30,000 of which will directly go toward improving islet transplantation for people with T1D.
Researcher: Dr. Gregory Korbutt, Edmonton


Monthly donors contributed nearly $213,000 in 2023.
Our longest-standing monthly donors have been contributing for over 20+ years.

Breakthrough T1D events:

Cocktails for a Cure and the Light the Way Soiree raised a collective $381K

$2.38M raised in the Sun Life Ride to Defeat Diabetes for JDRF with over 6284 participants (event now known as Breakthrough T1D Walk)

$3.42M raised in the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF with close to 9000 participants (event now known as Breakthrough T1D Ride)

To our community

Breakthrough T1D engaged 268 Youth Ambassadors from across Canada in 2023. Youth Ambassadors share their personal stories to educate Canadians about living with T1D. 

1087 newly diagnosed Canadians received a Bag of Hope, an increase of almost 200 from 2022. Each kit contains T1D information, resources, and Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes. 

Our Breakthrough T1D Educational Series that brings experts from across the country to the T1D community through a series of virtual educational events and community hang outs had more than 2000 participants. 

Growing our T1D community via social media platforms:

Facebook Followers
2023

40,086

2022

39,800

2021

39,747

2020

38,437

Instagram Followers
2023

9,133

2022

7,780

2021

7,192

2020

6,761

X (formerly Twitter) Followers
2023

8,431

2022

8,479

2021

8,412

2020

8,355

LinkedIn (New for 2023)
2023

5,525

Thank you to everyone who helped support Breakthrough T1D, (formerly JDRF) in 2023 and brought us closer to our goal of a world free from type 1 diabetes.