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News post type for JDRF

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.

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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.

 

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

Montreal Canadiens star and JDRF National Spokesperson Max Domi joins Montreal-area kids living with type 1 diabetes May 28 for a frank discussion on the disease

Hosted from the Windsor Ballrooms in Montreal, the unique conversation features 13 young Canadians interviewing Domi on his experiences with T1D and upcoming participating in the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF 

 

Montréal, Quebec, May 23, 2019 – Fresh on the heels of Montreal Canadiens forward and JDRF National Spokesperson Max Domi’s announcement to join thousands of fellow participants at the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal at the Centre de la nature de Laval on Sunday, June 9, JDRF today announced that on Tuesday, May 28, Domi will also take part in a truly unprecedented and open conversation with 13 Canadian children affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Hosted by Stephane Lagrange – Walk Co-Chair and father of a son with T1D – from the Windsor Ballrooms in Montreal, the event also features a unique opportunity for media to discuss Max’s continued commitment to empowering youth in the community.

What: Max Domi interviewed by 13 kids living with type 1 diabetes

When: May 28, 2019 Media should please check-in at the media table

Time:       

  • 11 a.m. photo op with Max and kids living with type 1 diabetes
  • 11:15 a.m. kids living with type 1 diabetes interview Max
  • 12 p.m. group interview with Max and type 1 diabetes families
  • 12:20-2:30 p.m. available for media interviews (15 minutes each)

Where: The Windsor Ballrooms, 1170 Rue Peel #110, Montreal, QC

Who: JDRF Canada’s National Spokesperson, NHL player Max Domi, Walk Co-Chair Stephane Lagrange, JDRF Eastern Canada Director Kim Lacombe

RSVP: To book an interview please contact Matthew Garrow at 416-859-5641 or mgarrow@jdrf.ca

Diagnosed at age 12, Domi is a role model to youth living with type 1 diabetes. Domi’s goal is to highlight the importance of accelerating research and advocating for better access to the best technology to manage the disease.

Taking place in 60 communities across Canada, the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF aims to raise $5 million in 2019 to accelerate the pace of type 1 diabetes research.

 

About JDRF Canada

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people’s lives until we achieve a world without this disease. 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 www.breakthrought1d.ca.

 

About Sun Life in the community

At Sun Life, 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.

 

JDRF Media Contact: Sun Life Media Contact:
Matthew Garrow Mylène Bélanger
T: 416-859-5641 T: (514) 904-9739
mgarrow@jdrf.ca mylene.belanger@sunlife.com

 

Montreal Canadiens’ Max Domi teams up with thousands to walk to find a cure for type 1 diabetes

The Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF aims to raise $5M nationally to accelerate research

 

Montréal, Québec, May 6, 2019 – Montreal Canadiens’ Centre player, Max Domi will be walking at the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF in Montreal at the Centre de la nature de Laval on Sunday June 9, 2019.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12, Domi is teaming up with JDRF to increase awareness for type 1 diabetes as their National Spokesperson by sharing his story about living with this chronic disease and lending his voice to help raise funds to support critical type 1 diabetes research.

“I am so excited to partner once again with JDRF Canada to help raise funds for type 1 diabetes research. 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 $126M for diabetes research. This year, JDRF aims to raise $5 million with the support of Sun Life as its national 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 PouchTM technology and islet transplantation moving us closer to finding a cure,” Prowten says. “Having such an amazing spokesperson like Max is key to raising awareness of the importance of funding ground-breaking T1D research.”

Join the Walk in person by registering in advance at jdrfwalk.ca or follow all the excitement using the official #SunLifeWalk and #JDRFWalk hashtags. All walkers are encouraged to raise funds to accelerate the pace of type 1 diabetes research.

 

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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.

 

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, 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

 

JDRF Expresses Profound Loss at the Passing of Helaine Shiff, co-founder of JDRF Canada

Toronto, May 1, 2019 – JDRF Canada is deeply saddened at the loss of one of its founders, Helaine Shiff.  

“Helaine was a remarkable woman and her legacy to our community will live on forever,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada. “She never let up and continued to the very end to help JDRF move towards our goal of a world without type 1 diabetes.”

Helaine was a tireless champion of our community and relentless in her commitment to achieve a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). When her son, Lorne, was diagnosed, Helaine and her husband Allan channeled their efforts to find a cure. With the goal of funding the best and brightest researchers around the world, Helaine and Allan Shiff pooled resources and worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for young Canadians living with T1D. Their persistence paid off and JDRF Canada was founded in 1974.

“JDRF International is truly a global organization because of individuals like Helaine Shiff, who tirelessly worked in support our vision of a world without type 1 diabetes,” says Aaron Kowalski, President and CEO JDRF International. “We are forever thankful to the Shiff family and vow to continue working in partnership with our affiliate in Canada to carry on the work that Mrs. Shiff and her family started more than 40 years ago.”

Focused on excellence and achieving results, the Shiff Family was instrumental in shaping JDRF to become the leading T1D research organization it is today. As T1D trailblazers, they helped propel research forward, establishing Canadian investigators as some of the best and brightest in the field.

“As a founder of JDRF Canada, Helaine Shiff and her family helped forge one of JDRF’s most vital and valued international partnerships,” explains Mary Elizabeth Bunzel, JDRF International Chair of Chancellors. “She continued this commitment to creating a world without T1D as a beloved member of our Chancellors. We send our deepest sympathy to the entire Shiff family.”

Today, Helaine’s legacy continues with Lorne – Chair of JDRF Canada’s Board of Directors and a prominent volunteer in Canada and globally for the past 30 years – following in their footsteps to advance JDRF’s mission to ease the burden of others living with T1D.

Join us in paying tribute to Helaine Shiff to honour her life and continue her legacy at breakthrought1d.ca/helaine.

 

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About JDRF

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 supporter of type 1 diabetes research. For more information, please visit breakthrought1d.ca.         

 

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

 

Boston Pizza is advancing the academic goals of young people through two new initiatives in support of JDRF

Toronto, ON – (May 2nd, 2019) – Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects is committed to helping youth be the best they can be and has partnered with JDRF to improve the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) – an autoimmune disease that affects 300,000 Canadians. 

Since 2001, Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects has invested over $2.9 million in JDRF and supported the development of the first self-adjusting insulin pump – a technology recently approved by Health Canada.  This is a game changer for those who rely on insulin for daily survival. 

With the goal of providing mentoring opportunities for young people, Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects helped JDRF develop a Youth Ambassador Program that gives children living with the condition a platform to share their experiences and eliminate the stigma associated with T1D.

The Foundation’s recent gift of $200,000 celebrates the partnership and expands upon both initiatives. The Boston Pizza Future Prospects Award Program for JDRF will give 20 awards of $5,000 each to aid students and their families with tuition costs, while The Boston Pizza Future Prospects T1D Research Fellowship ($100K) will give a young investigator the opportunity to explore the next generation of technology to improve the management of T1D.

 “Through our exclusive partnership with the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, we are empowering our leaders of tomorrow to reach their full potential and remain connected to the T1D community,” says Dave Prowten, president and CEO of JDRF Canada. “This generous investment will see the Award Program – a first-time JDRF initiative – and the Research Fellowship ensure that youth living with T1D can transition into healthy, confident role models who are supported in their pursuit of bright futures.”

“Thanks to fundraising efforts from Boston Pizza franchisees, guests and our valued partner vendors, we have collaborated with JDRF to create a strong and healthy community based on a shared vision,” adds Michelle Schepel, Executive Director at Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. “These initiatives will not only motivate students with T1D to follow their passions and do well in their studies, but will also help a promising young investigator work at the leading edge of T1D research upon securing post-graduation employment. We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with JDRF and we couldn’t be more thrilled to support these initiatives.”

Award applicants will be asked to submit an essay that explains their contributions to JDRF and/or the T1D community and their plans to raise awareness among their peers, as well as how the financial assistance will inspire them to attain their goals in their chosen career paths. JDRF will announce the recipients of the awards and the fellowship in August.

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About JDRF Canada:

JDRF is the leading global organization funding 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:
Soledad Vega
Marketing and Communications Manager
JDRF Canada
647-459-7881
svega@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
604-303-6375
SchepelM@bostonpizza.com

 

 

 

JDRF International Board Appoints Leading Diabetes Researcher and Advocate Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D. as New President & CEO

 

NEW YORK, April 9, 2019 – JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, announces the appointment of Aaron J. Kowalski, Ph.D., as the nonprofit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. A 15-year veteran of JDRF and the first person living with T1D to lead the research organization, Dr. Kowalski has a strong record of spearheading impactful strategic initiatives and forging new partnerships from his previous role as JDRF’s first Chief Mission Officer. He takes the baton from Derek Rapp, who announced his decision to step down in October after serving nearly five years as CEO.

“I know first-hand the impact of type 1 diabetes on individuals and their families because my brother and I have lived with it for decades. I’m humbled to lead JDRFI, the organization that has played such a key role in so many of the major T1D advances in recent history,” said Dr. Kowalski, age 47, who was diagnosed at age 13 following a similar diagnosis for his younger brother Stephen at the age of 3. 

"I stand on the shoulders of Derek Rapp and those who have come before me, as well as the volunteers, donors, senior leaders and staff who have put in countless hours to bring us closer to potential cures. Together, we will build on our significant progress to drive forward with urgency, new research that presents a line of sight much more promising than ever before to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications,” added Dr. Kowalski.

Both as a scientific leader and as the driving force behind the organization’s mission and outreach efforts, Dr. Kowalski has notably expanded the T1D research and advocacy footprint. He has played a key role in the race towards T1D cures by outlining strategies to define JDRF’s therapy pipeline and accelerate progress in each development stage so that breakthroughs in the lab can be turned into real solutions for people living with the disease. Dr. Kowalski is well known for his global leadership across the T1D community – working closely with senior industry executives and leaders in academia, clinical care and government.

“Many of us know Aaron as a highly respected leader in the scientific community, a passionate advocate with government officials, and a trusted partner and counselor to leading diabetes organizations around the world,” said Ellen Leake, chair of the JDRF International Board of Directors. “Aaron is uniquely fit to step into the job of CEO with a combination of management, leadership and people skills. He understands like almost no one else the needs and potential of T1D research. On top of that, he connects personally with the entire JDRF community.”

Dr. Kowalski was named Chief Mission Officer in 2014, serving as the organization’s voice for T1D research. He was an early advocate of continuous glucose monitoring and artificial pancreas systems, seeing not just the need, but mapping out the complex roadmap that teams of researchers followed to bring to reality a system that is now changing lives around the world.

“There is no one more qualified than Aaron to lead JDRF’s fight to end this disease,” said Rapp. “He embraces the important role of volunteers and donors on the path toward a cure, living our cause every day and demonstrating there are no limits to what people with the disease can achieve.”

With a doctorate in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers, Dr. Kowalski began his career at JDRF as a scientific program manager in 2004. He became director of strategic research projects and developed a multi-million dollar initiative that transformed diabetes technology to improve blood sugar control, partnering closely with researchers, companies and regulators to overcome challenges that previously prevented technologies from moving forward. Dr. Kowalski has also published numerous articles in the field, including co-authoring the landmark New England Journal of Medicine study demonstrating the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitors in T1D.

As Chief Mission Officer, he has been responsible for JDRF’s entire research portfolio. This has included supporting 75 human clinical trials this year to move therapies from research labs to the people who need them and advancing key areas like beta cell regeneration and replacement, immunotherapies and prevention to move closer to a world without T1D.

More recently, Dr. Kowalski launched JDRF’s work to advocate for open protocols, which enable automated insulin delivery systems to interact with devices made by other manufacturers, providing greater control and choice, and improved T1D outcomes.

“Aaron is a change-maker, a talented executive who brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, strategic business focus and the ability to connect across industry and the diabetes community,” said David Panzirer, trustee of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and a JDRF partner. “His strategic leadership approach has broken down barriers, and improved the lives of people with diabetes today.”

Dr. Kowalski has also served as a policy leader for JDRF, regularly advising Members of Congress and leaders of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure access to T1D therapies and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation.

More than ever, JDRF’s advocacy and policy efforts are critical to ensure access and affordability of new treatment options and ultimately cures. Dr. Kowalski combines the passion of the T1D community with significant policy experience to ensure availability to research advances and better outcomes for all people with T1D. He is a champion for coverage, affordability and choice of therapies, advocating for life-saving treatment options and expanded access to help people with T1D stay healthy until we have a cure. Earlier this month, he testified to the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on the critical importance of affordable insulin.

In this new role as JDRF CEO, Dr. Kowalski will join the Board of Directors of the T1D Fund, JDRF’s venture philanthropy fund accelerating life-changing solutions to treat, prevent, and cure type 1 diabetes (T1D) through catalytic commercial investments.

Learn more about JDRF’s dedication to continue the fight for as long as it takes at www.jdrf.org.

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About JDRF

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

 

 

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