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JDRF Launches Canada’s Largest Virtual House Party to Raise Funds for Diabetes

JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure aims to raise $2.5M nationally because type 1 diabetes research can’t stop.
 

Toronto, Ontario, April 20, 2020 – In the new reality of physical distancing, JDRF is bringing Canadians together to unite, get loud and raise funds to accelerate the pace of type 1 diabetes research – all from home. The JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure, presented by Omnipod, will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2020, and is Canada’s largest virtual house party turning type one diabetes into type none.

This one-day, family-friendly, virtual and interactive house party will feature guests such as NHL player Max Domi and Canadian country superstar George Canyon. It will be a day filled with live streaming entertainment, inspirational stories, updates from research experts and more.

“The JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure is more than a virtual house party,” says Dave Prowten, President & CEO of JDRF Canada. “It’s a movement that empowers families touched by type 1 diabetes to rally together, now more than ever. We need to make sure that the research doesn’t stop for the type 1 diabetes community, and funds raised through this event will help us accelerate JDRF and critical research breakthroughs that will lead to better treatments and cures.”

Participants will be encouraged to do their own fundraising challenges at home and creativity will be key. Whether it’s a virtual dinner with friends, 100km on a stationary bike or a bead-a-thon – anything can be virtually possible. Participants will be able to live stream their house party and share what they are doing to move towards a cure for type 1 diabetes.

JDRF is honoured to have the continued leadership of Sun Life as the event’s National Premiere Sponsor, proud to welcome Insulet Canada, home of the Omnipod® Insulin Management System, as the Presenting Sponsor, as well as Abbott Diabetes Care as a National Partner, and grateful for the continued support of Bell Media as the National Media Sponsor and Max Domi, JDRF’s National Spokesperson.

Join the JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure by registering at jdrfparty.ca.

 

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. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. 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 six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D.

For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

For more information about the JDRF House ParT1D for a Cure or to arrange interviews with JDRF spokespeople, please contact:

Soledad Vega
National Marketing & Communications Manager
JDRF Canada
Email: svega@jdrf.ca
Mobile: 647.459.7881

JDRF Calgary cancels in-person “Picks and Plates” Gala in response to Coronavirus Outbrake

Calgary, AB – March, 13 2020 – In response to concerns regarding the global Coronavirus outbreak, JDRF Calgary has cancelled its popular “Picks and Plates” Gala while continuing the event’s online fundraising activities. The in-person event was scheduled to take place April 18 at Hotel Arts.   

“Our annual ‘Picks and Plates’ Gala is a long-standing and important fundraiser for the T1D community. The health and safety of the type 1 diabetes community and our staff are our top priority, therefore we had to make this tough decision to cancel,” says Duane Schreiner, Regional Manager, Alberta & NWT. “Accelerating type 1 diabetes research is still critical so moving to online fundraising will provide a way to drive impact safely”. 

The decision comes as Alberta Health has asked that all gatherings of 250 people or more be cancelled, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

Fundraising Continues

The “Picks and Plates” online fundraiser includes an online auction (more details to come), raffle and Fund-A-Cure campaign. You can purchase WestJet Raffle tickets or make a Fund-a-Cure donation here.

Future Events

To date, the “Picks and Plates” Gala is the only JDRF Calgary event that has been cancelled. In terms of other upcoming JDRF activities, such as awareness and educational events, the organization is making decisions on a case-by-case basis – taking into consideration the timing, location, and size of activities taking place.

“We are consulting with medical experts and reviewing the situation on a daily basis,” says Schreiner. “This is a unique situation and we will continue to thoughtfully review where things stand before making any decisions.”

Anyone wanting information about the online events, donations and gala ticket refunds can contact JDRF Canada at 403-255-7100 or email at calgary@jdrf.ca

About the “Picks and Plates” Gala

Launched in 2016, the “Picks and Plates” Gala has been an important JDRF fundraiser that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of funding for treatments and cures for type 1 diabetes. 

 

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. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. 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 six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

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For more information:

Mariam Mesbah

Interim National Director, Marketing and Communications

T: 506-377-7805

E. mmesbah@jdrf.ca

www.breakthrought1d.ca

 

Finance Committee’s Budget Recommendations Positive for Canadians with Diabetes

 

Toronto, ON – March 3, 2020 – JDRF Canada, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, welcomes the release of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report and its recommendations to address the diabetes epidemic.  

We particularly welcome its recommendation that the government support the development of a new national diabetes strategy (Diabetes 360), as well as changes in the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) criteria that would allow for those requiring insulin therapy to automatically qualify. 

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) is to study and report on all matters relating to the mandate, management and operation of selected federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Finance and the Canada Revenue Agency, and to conduct pre-budget consultations. JDRF is calling on the government to adopt FINA’s recommendations in Budget 2020. 

“It’s positive to see the committee acknowledging the enormous burden that diabetes imposes on individuals and on society,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “Canadians with type 1 diabetes spend up to $15,000 annually in out of pocket costs managing their disease. Billions more are spent by taxpayers in managing the cost of complications. Access to the DTC would provide families some much-needed financial relief for individuals and a national strategy would help to tackle health care spending. We hope the Government will move quickly to adopt the Committee’s recommendations.”  

FINA’s recommendation to make qualification for the DTC automatic for those who require life-sustaining therapy follows a similar recommendation by the Disability Advisory Committee last spring. It would address problems with the current eligibility criteria that have led to confusion and inequity and represent a significant barrier to access for Canadians with insulin-dependent diabetes and other chronic diseases. Access to the DTC continues to be a challenge some two years after the government reversed controversial changes that resulted in all adults with type 1 diabetes being denied the credit.   

Other positive recommendations we welcome are making the DTC a refundable tax credit so those with low or no income can also benefit from it, as well as uncoupling the DTC and the Registered Disability Savings Plan to end the clawback on RDSP contributions. The government announced as part of Budget 2019 that it would end the clawback; however, changes to the Income Tax Act have yet to be enacted.

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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. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. 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 six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

Media contact
Arielle Nkongmeneck
Bilingual Marketing and Communications Specialist
JDRF Canada
647-789-2000 ext. 2046
ankongmeneck@jdrf.ca

 

 

JDRF Canada responds to INESS recommendations regarding Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor

 

Toronto, Ontario – February 27, 2020 – JDRF Canada, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, is hopeful that the Government of Quebec might still consider provincial coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in spite of a report released this month by the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESS).

“We are encouraged by the recognition that continuous glucose monitoring meets an unmet medical need. Put simply, these devices aren’t just life-saving, they’re life-changing for Quebecers living with T1D,” says Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada.

This comment comes in response to INESS’ recent review of the Dexcom G6 monitor. While the new device was unanimously endorsed by the evaluation committee (CSEMI), for its superior efficacy in managing type 1 diabetes in individuals over the age of two, the committee concluded that the “cost to benefits ratio was too high” to support having it covered under the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). 

Given that T1D is a life-threatening disease, JDRF Canada sees tremendous value in providing medical coverage for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), devices which can detect and predict when blood sugars are rising or falling too rapidly. Audible alarms and mobile alerts warn users of impending life-threatening low or high blood sugar events before they occur, helping users take action. This helps keep patients out of the hospital and avoid costly complications over the long-term.

Studies have shown that more than 70% of T1D patients have insufficient glycemic control, with children being at significant risk of severe and non-severe reactions, including coma and loss of life.

In reviewing the device, INESS also agreed with the clinical and expert opinion data indicating that the Dexcom G6 CGM would lead to a "clinically significant decrease" in adverse outcomes for people managing type 1 diabetes.

JDRF Canada is pleased that the INESS recognizes the importance of this device for individuals with T1D and encourages the Quebec Government to work with the manufacturer to come to an agreement that would see these devices reimbursed for Quebecers with type 1 diabetes.

JDRF also encourages the province to consider whether it might cover these devices for those individuals who are at particularly high risk for a severe hypoglycemic event.

JDRF Canada believes that while the initial cost of CGM might appear high, the long-term cost savings as well as the improvements to quality of life for patients, would be impactful, because greater accessibility to CGMs means fewer hospital visits and fewer costly complications such as kidney and cardiovascular diseases, vision loss, nerve damage and amputation.

“My daughter’s Dexcom proves it worth day and night. It is the only safeguard that prevents the life-threatening events of type 1 diabetes from harming her,” says Quebec resident, Michaëlla Étienne. She is also President of the Association of Parents of Children with Diabetes. “Every child has the right to a healthy and safe childhood, regardless of family income.”

JDRF Canada’s Access For All campaign aims to increase public and private coverage for advanced glucose monitoring devices. JDRF is urging all provincial governments to provide public reimbursement for these devices for all individuals with type 1 diabetes.

For more information on the INESS report, visit, https://www.inesss.qc.ca/nc/en/publications/publications/publication/systeme-de-mesure-du-glucose-en-continu-dexcom-g6mc-dexcom.html?no_cache=1

 

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. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. 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 six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

Media contact
Kim Lacombe
Regional Director, Eastern Canada
JDRF Canada
514 744 5537, ext. 225
klacombe@jdrf.ca

Max Domi launches fund to help Canadians living with type 1 diabetes

MONTREAL, October 25, 2019 – Montreal Canadiens centre and JDRF ambassador, Max Domi, unveiled The Max Domi Fund for Type 1 Diabetes  today at the Bell Sports Complex.

Max Domi is stepping forward to not only inspire young people living with type 1 diabetes but also help make their lives better. Max is establishing a fund at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) – The Max Domi Fund for Type 1 Diabetes. Consisting of three pillars, the fund will focus on supporting youth living with T1D, exploring how to help those living with T1D struggling with mental health as well as fighting to ensure all Canadians living with T1D have access to life-saving technology.1 in 5 teens living with T1D suffer from depression – twice as common as in the general population.

“I want to do whatever I can to make life better for Canadians living with type 1 diabetes,” says Domi. “I hope youth read my book and feel that they are not alone, and diabetes does not have to stop you.”

To kick-start his fund, Domi will be personally donating a portion of all proceeds from the sale of his book, No Days Off: My Life with Type 1 Diabetes and Journey to the NHL, which is scheduled for release on October 29th. Domi will also host a thank you celebration for donors who have contributed to his fund over $10,000.

The Montreal Canadiens are supporting Max by hosting an exclusive book-signing event for up to 500 fans on November 10th at the Bell Centre Tricolore Sports store. A portion of the proceeds from the sales that day will also be donated to The Max Domi Fund. For more info on how to get tickets, click here.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month – a month dedicated to raising the profile of a relentless disease that touches so many Canadians and at present doesn’t have a cure. To mark the event, Bauer Hockey has created limited edition hockey sticks for Domi to use at every game during the month of November. Max has designed these sticks with pictures that have symbolic importance to him. The sticks will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to The Max Domi Fund for Type 1 Diabetes.

“We are proud to partner with Max whose story of perseverance and overcoming adversity to get to where he is today is a powerful message to kids,” said Mary-Kay Messier, VP of Global Marketing for Bauer Hockey, who donated approximately 100 BAUER sticks to this initiative. “In creating the design on his BAUER stick, he took incredible care with the details, including a tribute to those players before him and other symbols important to his own personal journey. He is a high-impact player on the ice and a high-impact ambassador for our game outside the rink, especially how he shares engaging and personal stories on social media that help to inspire kids around the world.”

“Max is an incredible leader, mobilizer and changemaker that we are proud to call a partner,” says Dave Prowten, president and CEO of JDRF Canada. “He works hard to raise awareness and funds to improve the quality of life for all Canadians living with T1D. On behalf of the T1D community, we applaud him for his leadership and extend our sincere gratitude for his tremendous dedication.”

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About Max Domi
Max Domi is known for his fantastic speed, uncanny ability with the puck, gritty shot blocking and highlight play goals. His path has taken his talents to the international stage and now his skill is on full display in Montreal playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Max has earned a reputation for being a leader on and off the ice. He’s well-know for his passion and dedication, this has been especially clear in his work he does for the diabetes community. Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) himself, Max has excelled in being a role model and advocate for youth living with T1D.

About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Our goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international type 1 diabetes research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from people’s lives – until we achieve a world without type 1 diabetes. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable funder and advocate for T1D research in the world. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

JDRF Media Contacts

Arielle Nkongmeneck  Lyne Charbonneau
National Bilingual Marketing and Event Experience and
Communications Specialist Fundraising Manager
T: 647-789-2000, ext. 2046

E: ankongmeneck@jdrf.ca

T: 514-744-5537

E: lcharbonneau@jdrf.ca

JDRF welcomes effort to expand Disability Tax Credit eligibility for Canadians with diabetes

 

TORONTO, October 2nd, 2019 – JDRF welcomes the Conservative announcement yesterday committing to legislation making it easier for Canadians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and others to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

The Fairness for Persons With Disabilities Act would reduce the number of hours needed to qualify for the DTC from 14 to 10. This would allow more people to qualify as the so-called 14-hour-rule has proven in the past to be a significant barrier.

According to the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) annual report published last spring: “The combined time requirement, in terms of both minimum number of hours and weekly sessions, excludes many applicants who receive life-sustaining therapy. Access to the DTC has been severely limited particularly for people living with type 1 diabetes. Any individual who needs life-sustaining therapy, by definition, will spend considerable time every week engaged in that therapy.” The DAC suggested that “Instead of having to submit an account of the number of times and hours per week involved in these therapies, the person needing life-sustaining therapy should automatically meet the criteria”.

The purpose of the DTC is to provide a small measure of tax relief for the extraordinary expenses faced by Canadians with disabilities and chronic diseases. Type 1 diabetes is an extremely costly disease. Depending on income level, province and private insurance coverage, Canadians with T1D may face up to $15,000 annually in out-of-pocket costs.

JDRF greatly appreciates this effort to expand access to the DTC. We are calling for legislation to expand access to the DTC to be introduced and passed as soon as possible in the next Parliament.

JDRF is encouraging all candidates in this year’s election to show their support for Canadians touched by type 1 diabetes by posting their photo on social media holding a sign saying “I ❤Canadians touched by type 1 diabetes” and using the hashtag #VoteTypeNone. See www.breakthrought1d.ca/votetypenone for more on this campaign.

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About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Our goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international type 1 diabetes research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from people’s lives – until we achieve a world without type 1 diabetes. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable funder of and advocate for
research to cure, prevent and treat T1D in the world. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

For more information:

Soledad Vega
Marketing and Communications Manager
JDRF Canada
647-459-7881
svega@jdrf.ca

 

Interview opportunity: JDRF celebrates the announcement of Dexcom G6 CGM System’s Availability in Canada

 

Toronto, Ontario, September 9, 2019 – JDRF shares the excitement of the type 1 diabetes community around today’s arrival of the Dexcom G6,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “While JDRF remains focused on our goal to cure type 1 diabetes, we welcome the arrival of new and innovative technologies like this that help Canadians living with the disease live easier, healthier, safer lives.”

“Unfortunately, these life-changing advanced blood glucose monitoring devices will remain out of reach for many families unless provincial governments step up to provide financial coverage. This is why JDRF launched our Access for All campaign earlier this year to urge governments to fund these technologies. We need Canadians’ support, so please send a letter to your provincial representatives.”

JDRF has played a pivotal role in novel CGM development, as well as access and adoption, including supporting a clinical trial that conclusively demonstrated that CGM use improved health outcomes for people with diabetes.

The Dexcom G6 is the first CGM to be interoperable, meaning that it can be used with other devices, like insulin pumps, mobile apps and artificial pancreas technology. This is particularly important for JDRF’s Open Protocol Initiative, which aims to have an insulin pump and a CGM “talk” to each other, regardless of whether they have the same manufacturer — as opposed to devices that are proprietary and not designed for interoperability.

To set up an interview with Dave Prowten about JDRF, its advocacy efforts, and its support of Canada’s type 1 diabetes community, please contact: Soledad Vega | svega@jdrf.ca | 647-789-2025

 

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About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Our goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international type 1 diabetes research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from people’s lives – until we achieve a world without type 1 diabetes. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable funder of and advocate for
research to cure, prevent and treat T1D in the world. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

JDRF Canada and Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects Award Grants to Canadian Students Living with Type 1 Diabetes

– Inaugural JDRF-led initiative provides grants of $5,000 each for a total of $105,000 to cover tuition and book costs – 

 

TORONTO, Ontario, September 12, 2019 – JDRF today released the names of the grant recipients awarded $5,000 each as part of the inaugural Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects Award Program for JDRF. Through the generous support of Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, the national program will help students living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their families with tuition and book costs as they pursue post-secondary education in a university, college, or trade school.

The Award Program is designed to recognize and instill confidence in young leaders, role models and mentors in the type 1 diabetes community as they further their education in their various fields of interest.

“On behalf of everyone at Boston Pizza I would like to congratulate this year’s grant recipients on their successful submissions for the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects Award Program for JDRF to help further their educational pursuits,” adds Michelle Schepel, Executive Director at Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. “Future Prospects believes in helping build leaders and mentors. We are proud to support each of these young leaders in the JDRF community with a $5,000 award to help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with their schooling so they can in turn focus on their studies while they continue to manage their T1D. My sincere congratulations to all the award winners”.

“We would like to congratulate this year’s grant recipients of the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects Award Program for JDRF,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “JDRF and Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects are thrilled to help young leaders of tomorrow get a financial head start by rewarding those who take that extra step as role models, leaders, and mentors to empower others while managing this challenging disease. We want to thank all of this year’s applicants for their interest in the program as we continue to find new, innovative, and meaningful ways to support Canada’s T1D community.”

Since the program launched earlier this year, JDRF received more than 120 applications from across Canada, demonstrating the incredible work young people are doing in the T1D community. Submissions were reviewed by a cross-functional volunteer selection committee who scored the applications using the rubric based on their contributions and impact on the T1D community.  

The winners of the 2019 Award Program are:

Aleksandar Ivovic (Ontario)
Alexandre Machado-Gédéon (Quebec)
Audrey-Eve Bourdon Pépin (Quebec)
Austin Shawaga (Alberta)
Benjamin Robert Thorne (New Brunswick)
Brittany Vogt-Epp (Saskatchewan)
Brooks Roche (Prince Edward Island)
Evelyn Riddell (Ontario)
Josée Daigneault (Quebec)
Justin Vezina (Quebec)
Kaleb Dahlgren (Saskatchewan)
Kristen Eng (British Columbia)
Lianne Adair (Manitoba)
Madelyn Wells (Ontario)
Marley Greenberg (Ontario)
Maryna Ell (British Columbia)
Michael Thornton (Ontario)
Mitchell Aguinaga (Nova Scotia)
Nick Wall (British Columbia)
Oria Megan Chen James (Ontario)
Tyson Fiveland (Alberta)

 

The Award Program is designed to recognize and instill confidence in young leaders, role models, and mentors in the type 1 diabetes community as they further their education in their various fields of interest. The Program reflects JDRF’s comprehensive community engagement strategy committed to helping those living with T1D live healthier, easier, and safer lives until a cure is found.

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About JDRF Canada:

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international T1D research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from people’s lives – until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

For more information:

Arielle Nkongmeneck
National Bilingual Marketing and Communications Specialist
JDRF Canada
Phone: 647-789-2000 ext. 2046
Email: ankongmeneck@jdrf.ca  

 

About Boston Pizza: 

Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada’s No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 390 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C., and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

About Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects:

Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects was established in 2014 to raise funds and awareness for organizations that provide kids in Canada with role models and mentoring programs.  Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects is proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, Live Different and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated more than $29 million to directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

 

For more information:
Michelle Schepel
Executive Director
Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects
Phone: 604-303-6375
Email: SchepelM@bostonpizza.com

 

 

 

 

Statement by Dave Prowten, President and CEO JDRF Canada

JDRF has been closely monitoring developments rising from the recent announcement of a “Safe Importation Action Plan” by the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to facilitate the importation of drugs that were intended for other markets, specifically Canada.

The action plan describes two pathways through which lower priced drugs could be imported to the US.  The first pathway allows US States, wholesalers and pharmacists to import drugs from Canada if certain conditions are met.  Notably, this pathway excludes biological products, the category into which insulin falls.  The second pathway allows drug manufacturers to import drugs from foreign countries (which may include Canada), and sell them at a much lower cost than those manufactured and labeled for sale in the US. 

In addition, several US states have passed legislation that will allow for importation of drugs from Canada, however, these plans must first be approved by the US federal government and it remains to be seen whether and how that will be accomplished. While there is a fair degree of uncertainty as to whether any of these efforts will succeed let alone open up the avenue for Canadian drug imports US lawmakers are seeking, there is still some cause for concern. Given the size of the US market relative to the Canadian market, any surge in US demand for Canadian insulin is cause for concern.

We welcome recent comments by Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister of Health Petitpas-Taylor that they are speaking with U.S. Administration officials and will closely monitor drug supply levels in Canada and ensure that Canadians have access to the medication they need at affordable prices.

JDRF Canada hopes to see similar reassurances from Canadian drug manufacturers that the level of prescription drugs needed to supply the Canadian market will not be compromised through export agreements with new U.S. customers.

It is beyond unacceptable for any Canadian with type 1 diabetes to be put in a position where they have to worry about experiencing issues accessing or affording life sustaining medications, like insulin.

It is shocking to see so many people with type 1 diabetes around the world struggling to afford insulin, especially considering that after Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best’s discovered insulin almost 100 years ago, the patent was sold for only $1. As a global charity, JDRF encourages countries to work collaboratively and find ways to keep drug costs down worldwide.

JDRF Canada is a strong advocate for the affordability and accessibility of all appropriate treatments, services, devices and medications (including insulin). We will continue to actively monitor and respond to the situation.

B.C. youth Samir Dattani to represent Canadians with type 1 diabetes in Washington, D.C.

 
Samir will be available for interviews on location from Washington throughout the event (July 8-10) –

 

British Columbia, July 4, 2019 – 16-year-old Samir Dattani, a long-time type 1 diabetes advocate from Vancouver’s Westside-Kerrisdale neighbourhood, is set to join hundreds of delegates from the United States and around the world at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s 2019 Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C. from July 8 – 10, where he will represent Canadians living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Once every two years, JDRF brings young people living with T1D together with top US decision-makers to share their personal stories and challenges of living with type 1 diabetes. Through sharing their experiences, the delegates aim to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and help Congress understand what life with the disease is like, and why their support in funding life-changing research is critical.

Diagnosed at the age of 8, Samir quickly became an active advocate for those living with type 1 diabetes and has twice participated in JDRF Canada’s Kids for a Cure lobby day in Ottawa. He is also a JDRF Boston Pizza Youth Ambassador. "I’m looking forward to communicating the T1D story from a Canadian perspective in a way that creates change and progress so that we can work towards a better life for all of those in the T1D community," said Samir ahead of his time at Children’s Congress.

Follow Samir while he’s in Washington on JDRF social channels and follow the 2019 Children’s Congress using the hashtag #JDRFCC19.

 

To arrange an interview with Samir, please contact: Soledad Vega | svega@jdrf.ca | 647-789-2025

 

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About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

NHL player Max Domi laces up to lead the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

NHL player Max Domi laces up to lead the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal

The annual walk aims to raise $5 million nationally to accelerate type 1 diabetes research

 

Montréal, Québec, June 9, 2019 – Montreal Canadiens’ centre Max Domi will be walking at the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal, joining over 35,000 Canadians taking part in Walk events from coast to coast.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, Domi is working with JDRF to increase awareness for type 1 diabetes in his second year as National Spokesperson by sharing his story about living with this chronic disease.

“You’ve got to control your diabetes, you can’t let it control you,” Domi says. “I am so excited to partner with JDRF Canada to help raise funds for the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF. We’re closer than ever to finding a cure and we need your help.”

“We’re excited to have Max as a leader in the fight to find a cure for type 1 diabetes,” President and CEO of JDRF Canada, Dave Prowten says. “Not only is Max’s personal story inspiring young people who live with type 1 diabetes to follow their dreams, he’s also encouraging all Canadians to team up for type 1 by participating in the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF.”

Since its inception in Canada in 1994, the Walk has raised over $126 million for diabetes research. This year, JDRF aims to raise $5 million with the support of Sun Life as its Title sponsor, Bell Media as its National Media Sponsor, and Max Domi, JDRF’s National Spokesperson.

“This is an exciting time for type 1 diabetes research with new advancements in the areas of cell pouch technology and islet transplantation moving us closer to finding a cure,” Prowten says. “Having a partner like Sun Life as Title sponsor for our Walk for the second year is key to ensuring that this momentum continues.”

Sun Life has been involved with the Walk since 2014 as the National Sponsor and increased its already strong commitment to diabetes in Canada by becoming the Title sponsor of the Walk in 2018. Since announcing global support of the cause in 2012, Sun Life has committed more than $25 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives.

“With so many Canadians affected by diabetes, it’s more important than ever to come together to fight this disease. That’s why we’re proud to be the Title sponsor of the walk, strengthening our commitment to diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research,” President of Sun Life Financial Canada, Jacques Goulet says. “We’ve rallied our employees, advisors, clients and families to walk for diabetes. Together, we can beat diabetes, one step at a time.”

Join the Walk in person by registering at jdrfwalk.ca or follow all the excitement on social media using the #SunLifeWalk and #JDRFWalk hashtags.

-30-

 

About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

About Sun Life Financial in the community

At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we’re proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against Diabetes™ platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program. In Quebec, our sponsorship and donation initiatives also focus on home economics and financial education.

We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 18,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.

 

For more information about the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF or to arrange interviews and/or photo opportunities with Max Domi, JDRF spokespeople and/or Sun Life spokespeople, please contact:

JDRF/FRDJ Media Contact

Arielle Nkongmeneck

C: 647-789-2000 ext. 2046

ankongmeneck@jdrf.ca

 

For on-site interview requests for

Max Domi, Dave Prowten, and

JDRF Ambassadors, please contact:

Soledad Vega

C: 647-459-7881

svega@jdrf.ca

 

Sun Life Media Contact

Yasna Criscione

T: 416-204-8110

yasna.criscione@sunlife.com

 

Mylène Bélanger

T. 514-904-9739

mylene.belanger@sunlife.com

 

 

 

JDRF welcomes Disability Advisory Committee’s recommendation that all Canadians needing life-sustaining therapy should automatically meet the criteria for the Disability Tax Credit and urges the Government to adopt this approach

Toronto, ON – May 24, 2019 – JDRF Canada, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, welcomes the release of the Disability Advisory Committee’s (DAC) First Annual Report, in particular, the DAC’s recommendation that all Canadians receiving life-sustaining therapy should qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The DAC was established in late 2017 by the Minister of National Revenue following successful efforts by JDRF Canada and Diabetes Canada to restore access to the DTC for more than a thousand adults with type 1 diabetes being denied due to a change in eligibility. JDRF calls on the Government to implement these recommendations as soon as possible.

“We are very happy to see the committee understanding that insulin is a life-sustaining therapy,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “Canadians with type 1 diabetes spend up to $15,000 annually in out of pocket costs managing their disease. Access to the DTC would provide families some much-needed financial relief and we urge the Government to adopt the Committee’s recommendation.”

Access to the DTC has been severely limited particularly for people living with T1D. The report’s brief clearly states that the combined time requirement excludes many applicants who receive life-sustaining therapy. It reads: “Any individual who needs life-sustaining therapy, by definition, will spend considerable time every week engaged in that therapy. Instead of having to submit an account of the number of times and hours per week involved in these therapies, the person needing life-sustaining therapy should automatically meet the criteria.”

In the Government’s response to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology report, the Minister of Finance, along with the Minister of National Revenue and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility expressed confidence in the DAC’s work to help the government better serve Canadians with disabilities and ensure they receive the benefits and credits to which they are entitled. JDRF urges the Government to adopt all of the recommendations in today’s report to ensure they’re achieving this goal.

JDRF Canada was pleased with the Government’s 2019 Budget commitment to end the clawback of government contributions to Registered Disability Savings Plans in the event that DTC eligibility is lost and see progress on implementing today’s recommendations as an important next step on improving the lives of Canadians with disabilities. JDRF will continue to follow this issue closely and advocate for all Canadians living with type 1 diabetes.
 

About JDRF Canada
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Our goal is to raise funds to support the most advanced international type one diabetes research and progressively remove the impact of this disease from people’s lives – until we achieve a world without type 1 diabetes. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.

 

Media contact
Arielle Nkongmeneck
Bilingual Marketing and Communications Specialist
JDRF Canada
647-789-2000 ext. 2046
ankongemeneck@jdrf.ca

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