Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce any insulin. Insulin is an important hormone that helps your body to control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood.

Roughly 10 per cent of people living with diabetes have type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 1 diabetes generally develops in childhood or adolescence, but can also develop in adulthood. People with type 1 need to inject insulin or use an insulin pump to ensure their bodies have the right amount of insulin.

Understanding type 1 diabetes

Symptoms, treatment, and complications from type 1 diabetes may vary from person to person. The following information will help you learn more about this disease and provide you with helpful tools, assessments and resources.

Type 1 symptoms

Learn the signs and symptoms, and if you exhibit any signs, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Type 1 treatment

Learn more about how Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin injected into the body and a healthy lifestyle.
Type 1 complications

Understand the potential complications and how to prevent or delay their onset.

We need a strategy now

Although people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have different journeys, including whether or not they experience symptoms, there is one issue that unites all people living with the disease. Canada has no strategy to address one of the most significant health-care crisis of our time.

With no dedicated support or action to tackle the diabetes epidemic, it means that, every 24 hours:

more than 20 Canadians die of diabetes-related complications
480 more Canadians are diagnosed with this devastating disease
14 Canadians have a lower limb amputation
our health care system spends $75 million treating diabetes

Diabetes 360° and Canadians with Type 1 Diabetes

Canada lacks a proper strategy for addressing and preventing diabetes. The Diabetes 360° Strategy plans to change that.

Diabetes 360°

Know your rights

Are you living with diabetes? Learn about your right to access care, devices, medication and more.

Your rights

Local programs & events

Browse our event listing to find diabetes programs, events, or fundraisers in your region.

View events

Become a volunteer

Learn how to become a Diabetes Canada volunteer and apply today!

Apply today