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Breakthrough T1D Canada is thrilled to continue a successful partnership with the Canadian Islet Research and Training Network (CIRTN) and announce a third cohort of co-funded trainees beginning in 2025.

CIRTN was established in 2020 as a world-class training and research network with joint contributions from the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Manitoba, Université de Montréal, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, and the University of Toronto and now includes 12 institutions from across Canada.  Breakthrough T1D Canada has partnered with CIRTN to leverage funding to this network from the National Science and Engineering Research Council – Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC-CREATE) program. 

See 2023 cohort trainees here. See 2024 cohort trainees here. 

Dr. Summer Helmi

Postdoctoral Fellow

Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Pepper, University of Alberta

Optimizing Neonatal Porcine Islet Differentiation Using the PBS Mini Vertical-Wheel ® Bioreactor: Advancing Xenotransplantation for Type 1 Diabetes

This innovative project explores a promising approach to treating type 1 diabetes using neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) as a cell replacement therapy. While NPIs offer advantages over other methods, optimizing their production for clinical use remains a challenge. The research compares NPI culturing in conventional static suspension methods (i.e., growing the stem cells in a suspension medium in a petri dish or beaker) with dynamic vertical wheel bioreactors (i.e., growing the same cells in a device that controls movement to mimic the body’s cell growth conditions). Early results suggest that dynamic culture systems may significantly enhance NPI production and quality, potentially improving islet morphology, viability, and functionality. This work could overcome critical hurdles in NPI production, bringing us closer to a more effective and accessible treatment for type 1 diabetes. The project aims to advance porcine islet differentiation strategies and transform diabetes care worldwide.

IMAGE: Suspension culture. Vertical wheel bioreactor.

Dr. Nayara Rampazzo Morelli

Postdoctoral Fellow

Supervisor: Dr. Peter Thompson, University of Manitoba

Investigating a potential drug target in human beta cells during type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is well known for its autoimmune aspects which leads to loss of most of the beta cells in the body and insulin deficiency. How the process of beta cell loss occurs remains uncertain, but recent work indicates that the accumulation of stressed beta cells can accelerate T1D onset. Relieving the stressed beta cells slows the development of T1D in animal models but targets are lacking in humans, preventing us from determining whether this treatment approach could be moved to the clinic for T1D patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate a particular drug target in stressed human beta cells to determine whether this approach could be used to delay the progression of T1D or improve symptoms in people living with T1D.

(image from Dr. Thompson)

IMAGE: health beta cell. Senescent (dying) beta cell.

Dr. Shreyasi Sarkar

Postdoctoral Fellow,

Supervisor: Dr. Gareth Lim, Université de Montréal

Assessing the potential of targeting 14-3-3z to restore functional beta cell mass

Dr. Sarkar’s research focuses on identifying new ways to increase beta cell number (mass) to treat T1D. I study a protein called 14-3-3z, and earlier work from Dr. Lim showed that targeting this protein during early development in mice improved insulin secretion and beta cell mass, making this protein a promising target for diabetes treatment. Dr. Sarkar is now exploring a new approach using Antisense Oligonucleotides (a synthetic strand of nucleotide that can modulate protein expression) to target this protein after birth and explore whether similar improvements can be achieved. This may represent a new approach to treat diabetes.

(Image from https://www.ataxia.org/)

We wanted to provide our donors with some good news from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). On January 23, 2025, the CRA issued new guidance regarding the proposed extension deadline for 2024 donations.

The CRA is confirming that it will allow people to claim eligible donations made by February 28, 2025 on their 2024 income tax. This extension will help to lessen the negative impact the postal strike had on charities at the end of last year.

Full details on this guidance and steps to take if you plan to claim eligible donations made between January 1 and February 28, 2025 on your 2024 income tax can be found here.

The Government of Alberta achieved an important milestone yesterday by announcing the expansion of public coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to all ages, removing the existing age cap. Prior to this announcement, public coverage of CGMs in Alberta did not extend beyond age 18.  

It is estimated that over 30,000 people live with T1D in Alberta and by removing the age restriction, approximately 23,000 more Albertans will now be eligible for these devices. 

Constant monitoring of blood glucose is a necessary part of managing this disease, requiring careful balance with externally administered insulin, either through injections or an insulin pump. Despite meticulous management, individuals living with T1D remain at risk of severe diabetes-related complications, including kidney disease, blindness, amputation, and even death. 

Real-time blood glucose monitoring greatly enhances self-management, reducing hospitalizations and the risk of long-term complications. It also alleviates some of the anxiety associated with the disease, allowing individuals to better manage activities such as exercise, meals, and rest. 

“Breakthrough T1D Canada is delighted by this announcement from the Government of Alberta, which will significantly enhance the lives of so many more people in Alberta living with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes does not stop at age 18; it is a relentless, lifelong disease that demands ongoing self-management to survive. We commend the Government of Alberta for acknowledging this reality and expanding on the coverage announced in 2022. Helping to provide access for this essential technology will empower those living with type 1 diabetes to lead healthier, safer, and more manageable lives”, says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO, Breakthrough T1D Canada 

Through the Access for All campaign, Breakthrough T1D Canada is working alongside dedicated T1D advocates nationwide to support those who must pay out-of-pocket for life-saving diabetes technology due to insufficient coverage in their provinces. Since its launch in 2019, the campaign has sparked meaningful progress in numerous provinces and territories. However, until a cure is discovered, Breakthrough T1D Canada remains committed to advocating for universal access to, and patient choice in, diabetes technologies for everyone who needs them. 

Read the government news release here. 

About Breakthrough T1D Canada 

Breakthrough T1D Canada is the leading charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Since our founding in 1974, Breakthrough T1D has invested more than $80 million CDN in research funding. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our shared vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.    

For more information:  

Monica Kocsmaros  
Chief External Relations Officer  
T. 647.354.5598  
E. mkocsmaros@breakthrought1d.ca 
235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 600, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8 
breakthrought1d.ca  

The leading type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization unveils its new identity to better reflect the community it serves while working to accelerate breakthroughs in T1D research 

TORONTO, ON, November 1, 2024 – Breakthrough T1D Canada, formerly JDRF Canada, is proud to announce its brand relaunch, featuring a new name and refreshed visual identity. This transformation coincides with the start of National Diabetes Awareness Month, which recognizes people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), , and those working to improve lives and find cures.  

Once thought to primarily affect children, T1D is now recognized as an autoimmune disease that can develop at any age, regardless of family history. The name Breakthrough T1D was selected to better reflect the organization’s commitment to connecting with and advocating for the entire T1D community, not only children, youth and their caregivers. The new identity highlights the reality that more than 70% of new diagnoses in Canada occur in adults, with over 80% of Canadians living with T1D being over the age of 18. 

“Our new name, Breakthrough T1D, puts our mission at the forefront–to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications as we strive toward cures,” says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of Breakthrough T1D Canada. “This evolved brand is the result of a nearly two-year, data-driven process, guided by our global headquarters in the United States. Together, we’ve created a name and visual identity that reflects our position as the global leader in type 1 diabetes research, advocacy, and community support.”   

Breakthrough T1D will continue to lead the way accelerating scientific discovery both in Canada and globally, driving significant therapeutic developments and championing improved access to diabetes devices, technologies, and insulins. The organization remains dedicated to providing support for the T1D community, including mental health resources, as it drives towards cures and a world free from T1D.   

Founded in 1974 in Canada by families of children with T1D, it was originally called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, reflecting the belief at the time that T1D was predominantly a childhood disease. In the years since, with access to the latest diabetes technologies and healthcare, which Breakthrough T1D has helped accelerate and make available, people with T1D are living longer and staying healthier, adding an average of 25 years to their lifespan in Canada.   

Canada has one of the highest rates of new T1D diagnosis per capita globally, though the reasons behind this are still unclear. This rebrand will help the organization continue its work serving the full breadth of the T1D community supporting individuals at any age and at every stage of their journey with the disease. 

“For over 50 years, Breakthrough T1D has invested in research to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes,” says Dr. Sarah Linklater, Ph.D., Breakthrough T1D Canada’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Our current focus in Canada is on stem cell-based therapies, early detection, and prevention as potential pathways to cures. Since insulin was discovered in Canada as a treatment for T1D, we believe Canada can also lead the way to finding cures for the disease.”  

This evolution aligns with Breakthrough T1D’s global affiliates in the United States, the UK and the Netherlands, with Australia and Israel soon to follow. As Canada’s leading T1D research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D remains committed to championing the needs of the T1D community by funding the most promising research to enhance lives today while striving for cures in the future.  

About Breakthrough T1D Canada 
As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps to make every day better for those living with the disease while driving toward cures. ​  

Since the discovery of insulin, Canada has remained at the forefront of T1D research. Breakthrough T1D is committed to investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with governments to address issues that impact the T1D community, and supporting individuals facing this disease.​ 

​About type 1 diabetes (T1D) ​ 
T1D is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas makes little to no insulin. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood glucose levels; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people, and an estimated 300,000 in Canada. 

Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for over 70% of all T1D diagnoses nationally. Additionally, Canada has one  

of the highest rates of diagnosis in the world, and it’s unknown why. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, researchers believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D. 

For more information:  

Ruth Kapelus 
National Content and Media Relations Manager 
T. 647.789.2322 
E. rkapelus@breakthroughT1D.ca 
BreakthroughT1D.ca 

Ottawa, ON (October 11, 2024) – For the more than four million people living with diabetes in Canada, access to affordable medications is critical. As Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare, received Royal Assent, we applaud the Government of Canada for taking the initial steps towards the development of a plan to provide coverage for a range of diabetes medications. This will help tens of thousands of people living in Canada that currently do not have access to these medications.

However, many of the concerns brought forth by both Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada remain unanswered. While the passing of this legislation is intended as the first step towards a national pharmacare program, the impact on the lives of people living with diabetes has yet to be fully understood. During parliamentary debate on Bill C-64, both Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada, and many other stakeholders, emphasized that the best approach to establishing a national pharmacare program would be to focus on helping people who lack adequate coverage for their prescribed treatment regimens, and ensure there were no disruptions to private coverage. We recommended the inclusion of a provision to clarify that a federal pharmacare program will not jeopardize private insurance.

We raised our concerns directly with the Minister of Heath, and we have received personal assurances that private health insurance coverage will remain unchanged, and that Bill C-64 will only enhance access to care. While we appreciate his assurances and collaboration, people living with diabetes in Canada deserve the certainty of clear legislation that is legally binding.

We have also raised concerns with the current draft formulary for diabetes medications under Bill C-64 as they do not align with Diabetes Canada’s clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) which are rigorously developed to inform general patterns of care and public policy. Diabetes is a complex condition with a constantly expanding compendium of new therapies and medications that should be available and covered as options for care

With the legislation passed, the Minister of Health is now required to direct the Canadian Drug Agency to compile a list of essential medicines that will inform the national formulary. As such, Diabetes Canada and JDRF Canada continue to call for an immediate expansion and update of the background formulary to reflect the CPGs, so that people living with diabetes can access the medications they need, to support the best possible health outcomes.

As bilateral negotiations begin, we appeal to provincial and territorial governments to focus on our concerns to ensure that the needs of those living with diabetes are heard and their concerns addressed.

For more information:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322
E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

October 1, 2024 – One of Canada’s longest running and top fundraising events will be taking place in Montréal, QC and Toronto, ON on October 10 and 17 respectively. The JDRF Ride to Defeat Diabetes is a high-energy event that sees hundreds of corporate executives and teams shed their business wear for workout clothes to pedal for a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

T1D is an 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.

Since the Ride launched in 1986, corporate Canada has raised over $72 million to accelerate the pace of critical T1D research and support Canadians living with the disease in their daily lives. 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.

“The Ride is an exciting team building event that lets people take a break from their offices, Zoom and Teams meetings, to pedal for a cure alongside their colleagues in support of Canadians living with type 1 diabetes. We are thrilled to have Rides in Montréal and Toronto, and volunteer-led events across Canada, says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “This is especially meaningful as we recognize 50 years of JDRF in Canada, and which began as a grassroots volunteer-run and led organization, formed by parents desperate for a cure for their children with T1D. We are grateful to everyone who will be following in these footsteps by pedaling for a cure to move us closer to a world without T1D.”

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca.

For more information:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322
E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

OTTAWA, September 26, 2024 – Research Canada is pleased to announce the 2024 Leadership in Advocacy Awardees.

2024 Leadership in Advocacy Awardee: Dr. Leena Augimeri, a Children/Youth Mental Wellness and Crime Prevention Specialist & Innovator, the Chair of the Ontario Youth Justice Task Force, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto and the Co-Founder of SNAP and EARL Programs.Her work encompasses nearly 40 years of excellence in research and development for child and youth mental health and crime-prevention.

2024 Organization Leadership in Advocacy Awardee: JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their advocacy efforts support research priorities at every stage of the pipeline, whether by securing funds for discovery or clinical trials, improving the regulatory landscape by creating new expedited approval pathways or securing public and private reimbursement for the drugs and devices Canadians living with T1D rely on.

NEW Category! 2024 Emerging Leader in Advocacy Awardee: Kaitlin Kharas, previous Co-President of the Toronto Science Policy Network and current Executive Director of Support Our Science (SOS). Kaitlin’s advocacy journey is not only profoundly inspiring, but has also gained widespread recognition across Canada and internationally. As an exceptional PhD candidate and natural leader, her steadfast

commitment to the welfare of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers across Canada catalyzed a monumental shift in Canadian policy – one that has not been seen for several decades and a decision that was unanimously praised by the Canadian scientific and academic community.

The Research Canada Leadership in Advocacy Award recognizes outstanding champions of health research and health innovation. Recognition of Canadian health research—the kind that attracts the necessary public and political support—often comes from the dedicated and tireless efforts of health research advocates who educate policymakers, the media and the public about the social and economic benefits of health research and its promise of future cures and, importantly, a better quality of life for all Canadians. This year’s winners exemplify this.

“This year’s Awardees have gone above and beyond what is expected of health research advocates. Dr. Leena Augimeri is a fierce advocate and dedicated scientist who has been instrumental nationally and internationally in her tireless commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families through integrated advocacy, research, and practice,” says Dr. Tarik Möröy, Chair of Research Canada, Director of the Hematopoiesis and Cancer Research Unit at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute and Professor at the Université de Montréal.

“JDRF Canada’s commitment to supporting T1D research is matched by their advocacy efforts which have earned them their reputation as a credible and trusted voice for Canada’s T1D community,” continues Dr. Möröy. “It engages in awareness-raising activities, stakeholder engagement and knowledge mobilization to show the value of T1D research and encourage its use to create evidence-based practice and policy. JDRF’s commitment and contributions to health research and health innovation advocacy are transformative for Canadians.”

“We are so pleased to present, for the very first time, the Emerging Leader in Advocacy Award to Kaitlin Kharas this year,” says Dr. Stephanie Michaud, Chair of the Leadership in Advocacy Award Selection Committee, Research Canada Board Director, and President/CEO of BioCanRx. “This new award was created to honour and recognize early-career researchers and young advocates who are making an impact on the political and economic landscape in Canada,” continues Dr. Michaud. “Kaitlin’s advocacy through Support Our Science contributed to Budget 2024’s $2.63B investment into academic research, the first significant federal funding for graduate students and postdocs in over 20 years, and we are so delighted that she is the inaugural winner of this exciting new award.”

“Our sector is fortunate to have many highly-skilled and dedicated individuals and organizations working tirelessly to ensure that health research and innovation are supported by Canadians and their leaders,” adds Alison Evans, President and CEO of Research Canada. “It is the life-changing nature of our work that makes this activity so special, and our champions so cherished.

The 2024 Leadership in Advocacy Award will be presented to the winners during a formal reception in Ottawa, Ontario on November 19. Further event details will be available in the coming months.

We wish to thank those who submitted nominations, all of which were outstanding, for the 2024 Leadership in Advocacy Award. Research Canada will continue to recognize the achievements of our best and brightest advocates in the coming years with this annual award.

About Research Canada
Research Canada is a national alliance dedicated to increasing investments in health research through collaborative advocacy and engaging government, academia, industry and non-profit sectors to build support for long-term health research funding. For more information, visit rc-rc.ca.

For inquiries:
Rebecca Heath
519-277-9719

rheath@rc-rc.ca

Renowned type 1 diabetes researchers across Canada sign open letter to the federal government emphasizing the importance of research funding

SUBJECT: Support for JDRF’s 2024 Budget Ask for type 1 diabetes research

Dear Minister Freeland and Minister Holland,

As Canadian researchers working in the field of islet replacement therapy for diabetes, we write this letter in support of renewed funding for the JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes through Federal Budget 2024.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition resulting in absolute insulin deficiency, for which there is no available cure. A highly promising approach to cure the condition is to replace the insulin-producing islet cells that are damaged or destroyed through transplanting an “islet replacement product”.  Canada has been a world leader in the field of islet replacement therapy for T1D over 20 years and remains at the cutting edge today, in terms of both clinical practice and research productivity. Many global breakthroughs and much of the momentum – largely led by Canadian researchers and clinical trials taking place in Canada – have been enabled through funding of research grants by JDRF and CIHR. Past and ongoing projects supported by these funders include research that aims to:

• optimize islet replacement products to treat T1D from a renewable source of stem cells;
• test the safety and efficacy of manufactured islet products in animal models of T1D in preparation for clinical trials;
• scale-up manufacturing of a high-quality islet replacement product to treat unlimited numbers of patients with T1D;
• advance innovative approaches to reduce or eliminate immunosuppression required with transplant of an islet replacement therapy; and
• leverage gene-editing technology to produce next-generation islet replacement products.

Sustained investment in Canadian research on islet replacement therapy is imperative to capitalize on investments to date for the benefit of the 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, whose lives could be transformed with the delivery of a cell-based cure for their condition. With sufficient funding, Canada will lead the global effort required to translate current research momentum into new treatments and cures for T1D.

An investment of $50 million from the federal government (with a $25 million match from JDRF Canada) will accelerate science at a monumental speed. Without an injection of funding, the immense progress that has been made in Canada towards cell therapy cures for T1D will largely dwindle. The momentum that we have gained through the strong JDRF-CIHR Partnership to Defeat Diabetes has brought us to the brink of breakthroughs – it is time to push forward this exceptional science and solidify Canada’s position as a powerhouse in the race to cure T1D.

Sincerely,

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

Matt Varey of Ontario is the first Canadian to serve as Vice Chair on the board of the global type 1 diabetes non-profit

New York and Toronto, March 13, 2024 — JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D), research and advocacy organization, today announced the appointment of Matt Varey as the new vice chair of the non-profit’s International Board of Directors. Matt, of Oakville, Ontario, is the first Canadian and first person from outside of the United States to hold the vice chair position. He is a senior executive at Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s largest financial institution, where he is responsible for more than 4,500 Canada-based employees who manage personal investments, mortgage financing, and group benefits totaling more than $100 billion annually.

“It’s an exciting time at JDRF, filled with scientific breakthroughs and real opportunities to advance our mission, creating a world without type 1 diabetes,” said Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., CEO of JDRF. “We are delighted that Matt is taking on the role of vice chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors. I look forward to Matt’s partnership as we amplify JDRF’s work throughout the world.”

Matt has been a committed JDRF volunteer since 2001 and is an ardent supporter of JDRF’s efforts to find a cure for T1D and improving the lives of people living with the condition. In addition to his work on JDRF’s International Board of Directors, Matt serves on the board of JDRF Canada.

“I have been a JDRF volunteer for more than 20 years and am honored to step into the role of vice chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors,” said Matt Varey. “I am excited to work in partnership with others around the globe to advance JDRF’s incredible purpose, and to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs and cures for type 1 diabetes.”

Matt and his wife Dr. Andrea Jack are the parents to four adult children. He is a graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Varey will be joined in his term of board leadership by Lisa Fishbone Wallack, the newly appointed chair of JDRF’s International Board of Directors. Lisa is an attorney by training and resides in the Boston area.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)    

T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin, or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short or long-term complications, including highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D

February 29, 2024 – Ottawa – Today marks a historic moment for the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community in Canada. JDRF Canada is thrilled to have been part of the Government of Canada’s announcement of a new national pharmacare program. The organization commends the federal government for ensuring the close to 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, an autoimmune condition that requires constant monitoring of blood glucose levels and multiple daily insulin injections to survive, will have improved and affordable access to the treatments and devices they need to improve self-management, health outcomes and quality of life.

“A national pharmacare program that includes insulin and diabetes devices shows a deep commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all Canadians, regardless of their medical condition or socioeconomic status, as well as relieving an immense burden from our healthcare system. We welcome the Government’s announcement of a program that will provide all Canadians with the access they need,” says Jessica Diniz, President & CEO, JDRF Canada.

Insulin was discovered in Canada by Drs. Banting, Collip and Best who then sold the patent to the University of Toronto for $1. Banting famously said, “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” Banting believed that everyone who needed insulin should have access to it. Making all insulins among the first treatments covered by pharmacare honours this historic legacy.

Access to insulin and test strips leads to better diabetes self-management and could restore two years of healthy life to a person living with T1D. And if everyone in Canada has access to diabetes devices like insulin pumps and advanced glucose monitors, a further six healthy years could be restored to the average person with T1D. Access to diabetes technology also helps to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. Additionally, better self-management reduces hospital visits and the associated long-term costs of hospitalization. Without these devices, the average person living with T1D spends an extra 18 days a year managing their condition.

This commitment from the national pharmacare program will help improve the lives of those living with T1D. The goal, however, remains cures for T1D, and Canada is on the forefront of the most promising T1D research that will get us there with sustained research investments. JDRF Canada has put forth a budget proposal to the federal government for $50M in budget 2024 towards T1D research funding that JDRF will bolster with an additional $25M, for a total research investment of $75M. This funding will accelerate progress to a world where those living with T1D are no longer dependent on insulin, making a natural complement to a national pharmacare program. Canada gave the world insulin, and JDRF Canada strongly believes that with support from the federal government, Canada can give the world a cure.

For more details on the new national pharmacare program, please visit:

News release link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/02/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-for-first-phase-of-national-universal-pharmacar.html

Backgrounder link: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/02/universal-access-to-diabetes-medications-and-diabetes-device-fund-for-devices-and-supplies.html

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. JDRF partners across the full T1D development pipeline – including academic institutions, governments and corporations – to fund research and advocate for the delivery of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Ruth Kapelus
National Content & Media Relations Manager, JDRF Canada
T. 647.789.2322 E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca

February 28, 2024 – Halifax – The Government of Nova Scotia announced a historic investment to provide better access to diabetes devices such as insulin pumps and glucose monitors for Nova Scotians with diabetes. The province will be investing $5.9 million to fund sensor-based glucose monitoring supplies, and $1.3 million to expand the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program by removing the current age cap.

Glucose monitoring supplies will be obtained through a new income-based program and through existing pharmacare programs. While Nova Scotians living with either type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes can access this new program, eligibility requirements will include the need for multiple daily injections of insulin or insulin pumps to manage their diabetes.

Nova Scotians with an annual household income of less than $60,000 will pay no deductible, while household incomes between $60,000 and $150,000 will pay a deductible between $500 and $1,000.

In Nova Scotia, it is estimated that 9,000 people live with T1D. For these Nova Scotians, daily management of this disease consists of constant monitoring of their blood glucose levels and external insulin delivered either through injections or insulin pump multiple times a day. Even with careful management, people with T1D are still at risk of significant diabetes-related complications including kidney disease, blindness, amputation and even death.

With this investment, an estimated 4,000 people will be covered for sensor-based glucose monitoring supply costs and about 450 more Nova Scotians will be able to access the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program.

Through its #AccessForAll advocacy campaign, JDRF Canada works to help alleviate the financial, physical, and mental health burdens associated with T1D by makingT1D technology affordable and universally accessible for all Canadians living with the autoimmune condition.

“JDRF Canada is pleased to join the Government of Nova Scotia today in announcing improved care for the province’s T1D community. We appreciate that the provincial government recognizes the unique needs of Nova Scotians living with this condition and has stepped up to increase access to life-saving technology, thereby allowing for improved health outcomes and a better quality of life,” says Jessica Diniz, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. 

Studies have shown that self-management of T1D is improved by using diabetes technology. Insulin pumps grant individuals greater control to administer insulin as needed, and advanced glucose monitors provide real-time blood glucose readings allowing for more time spent in target range. When pumps and advanced glucose monitors are used in tandem, those living with the condition can benefit from its integrated technology in a hybrid-closed loop (HCL) system that allows for the automatic delivery of insulin based on real-time glucose trends.

Use of these devices has been proven to reduce hospitalizations and the risk of longer-term complications for users. They also help to ease some of the anxiety associated with living with T1D by allowing individuals to better plan activities around the condition including exercise, meals, and rest.  

Since 2019, JDRF’s Access for All campaign has engaged passionate advocates from T1D communities across the country to make their voices heard at all levels of government. With support from JDRF, they have driven change in several provinces and territories to improve access to life-changing diabetes technologies.

“I am overjoyed and relieved to see that the province of Nova Scotia will now be covering the cost of CGMs and removing the age cap from insulin pump coverage. This is life changing for me and for all Nova Scotians living with T1D,” Emma Perry, local T1D advocate.

Learn more about the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program: https://novascotia.ca/DHW/NSIPP/

Read the government release: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/02/28/more-funding-reduce-costs-improve-diabetes-care

About JDRF Canada 

JDRF Canada is the leading charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Since our founding in 1974, JDRF has invested more than $80 million CDN in research funding. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our shared vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca.   

For more information: 

Ruth Kapelus 
National Content and Media Relations Manager 
T. 647.789.2322 
E. rkapelus@jdrf.ca  
235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 600, Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8
breakthrought1d.ca