Advocate for Diabetes Canada

Introducing Diabetes Advocacy

If you would like to advocate with Diabetes Canada but want more information on how to get your advocacy training started, welcome to our advocacy 101 training series. These short videos and a training manual provide a foundation on which to develop advocacy skills, knowledge and experience to help influence positive change for people living with diabetes.

Advocacy tools and resources

Diabetes Canada welcomes volunteers

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Introduction to advocacy

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Becoming a powerful advocate

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Starting with the basics

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Building key relationships

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Harnessing social media

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Volunteer advocates are at the heart of Diabetes Canada's efforts to bring about positive change. They represent the voice of the 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes and speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

Advocates help raise awareness of diabetes and the burden of living with the disease. They participate in Diabetes Canada advocacy campaigns and events across the country. They also help influence public policy by building relationships with elected officials in their ridings and promoting Diabetes Canada's policy recommendations through their networks. 

Speak up & speak out

If you live with diabetes, know someone affected by the disease or simply have an interest in making a difference, become a Diabetes Canada volunteer and help us to:

• advocate for affordable access to diabetes medications, devices and supplies;
• eliminate stigma and discrimination against people with diabetes; and
• enhance the health and quality of life of all Canadians living with diabetes and prediabetes

Getting involved is easy

There are many different ways to lend your support:

• ONLINE: Support our e-advocacy and social media campaigns and help spread the word by inviting others in your networks to share and participate.
• EVENTS: Participate in advocacy training days and events such as Diabetes Day at the Legislature.
• ONE-ON-ONE: Meet with election candidates and elected officials to ask for their support of Diabetes Canada’s public policy recommendations.
• SHARE YOUR STORY: Help raise awareness by sharing your personal diabetes story at advocacy events, with local media or in Diabetes Canada publications.
• SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Help recruit and mentor other diabetes advocates.

You choose your level of involvement. We provide the information, tools and training you need.