The Canadian Diabetes Association issued a new report, Common Ground: Exploring Opportunities to Enhance the Drug Review Process in Canada, recommending enhancements to Canada’s drug review process. The goal of the report is help ensure that all Canadians have access to the drugs they need to manage their health.

The Canadian Diabetes Association’s new reports ask governments to implement or expand upon existing insulin pump programs in Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The reports found that switching from daily insulin injections to an insulin pump can improve A1C values, reduce complications and increase the quality of life for people living with type 1 diabetes while providing considerable cost savings for both provinces.

The Canadian Diabetes Association announced it is investing $1.25 million in continued support of diabetes research through the Julia McFarlane Chair in Diabetes Research at the University of Calgary, currently held by Dr. Pere Santamaria. Unveiled on November 21, 2012, Santamaria’s lab is now officially the Canadian Diabetes Association Laboratory, honouring the Diabetes Association Foothills Legacy.

When several of Dr. Sanjoy Ghosh’s family, friends and neighbours developed diabetes, he knew that he could make a difference through research. With funding from the Canadian Diabetes Association, Dr. Ghosh is studying whether diabetes-related heart disease is made worse by eating a diet rich in the fats found in vegetable oils. If this is true, Dr. Ghosh wants to know if this damage could be made better by supplementing the diet with fish oils.

Each year, thousands of Canadians — from health-care professionals, and people living with diabetes, to parents with children who have diabetes or individuals who care deeply about our cause — help us lead the fight against diabetes. The month of December marked a special day dedicated to volunteers— International Volunteer Day, December 5, 2012. 

The new year marks the 30th anniversary of the Reykjavik marathon so it was only fitting that Team Diabetes be there to help celebrate this fantastic milestone. Offering a 10K, half marathon and marathon, the event is great for most fitness levels and our infamous shirts often garner cheers from spectators as team members make their way to the finish line. You can discover the splendor of the “Land of Fire and Ice” first-hand while making a difference for someone you know living with diabetes by walking, running or hiking with Team Diabetes in August 2013!

More than 780 people from coast-to-coast shared their personal stories through Facebook and the campaign reached more than 2.5 million people this month.  We awarded the ‘Top Fundraiser’ to Natasha Barr from Alberta and awarded the ‘Most Votes’ to Kelly MacLeod from Nova Scotia.  We were also thrilled to have Novo Nordisk Canada participate in the campaign as our presenting sponsor, matching gift sponsor and prize sponsor. 

Since the United Nations recognized World Diabetes Day (WDD) on November 14, 2007, we have been leading the way to bring attention to this global event in Canada—this year was no different.

This hearty, yet simple meal bursts with flavour due to the sauce.