TORONTO, Ont.—On Saturday, April 9, 2016, the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) is forging a new path in diabetes education with the "CDA Type 1 Expo: Successfully Managing Your Type 1 Diabetes" at the Allstream Centre in Toronto.
"As the leader in the fight against diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association is proud to be hosting the CDA Type 1 Expo, our first full-day event for adults and young adults with type 1 diabetes," says Candy Lipton, senior regional director in Ontario, CDA. "This expo sold out within weeks and we have brought together top diabetes experts from Canada and the U.S. to answer the questions of people with type 1 diabetes in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities."
More than 600 people living with or caring for someone with type 1 diabetes are attending the CDA Type 1 Expo for a day of learning, empowerment and friendship. For the latest information throughout the day, follow #T1DExpo on Twitter.
Speakers will cover a variety of topics to help the type 1 diabetes community live a healthy life, including cutting-edge research (such as the artificial pancreas), the impact of physical activity and stress, psychosocial issues, pregnancy, and more.
Led by co-chairs Dr. Ian Blumer and Diana Provenzano, the Expo agenda includes:
- Dr. Bill Polonsky: “The Emotional Side of Type 1 Diabetes” and “Diabetes Police and Diabetes Criminals: Taking Custody of Your Diabetes”
- Dr. Bruce Perkins and Dr. Michael Riddell: “The Ups and Downs of Physical Activity”
- Dr. Denise Feig: “Growing Concerns: How to Have a Successful Pregnancy”
- Dr. Jeremy Pettus: “Daily Insulin Injections vs. Using a Pump: What's Best for Me?”
- Barbara Pasternak: “Personal Tips from Parents for a Successful Transition to College and University”
- Dr. Alice Cheng: “Introduction to the Type 1 Diabetes Think Tank” and “Balancing Act: Avoiding Complications and Hypoglycemia – Successfully Living on a Tightrope”
- Dr. Steve Edelman: “Top 10 Secrets for Successfully Living with Type 1 Diabetes” and “Advanced Pumping and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Strategies”
- Sandi Williams: “Real-World Nutrition”
- Matt Dunnet and Jade Allen: “How to Survive Your Transition to College and University 101”
- Dr. Jeremy Pettus and Dr. Bruce Perkins: “What's Next? Cutting-Edge Type 1 Diabetes Research”
There are currently 3.7 million people living with diabetes or prediabetes in Ontario, and this number is expected to rise to 4.8 million by 2025. Five to ten per cent of these people are living with type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Type 1 diabetes commonly begins in childhood, the cause is unknown and its not preventable.
Addressing the unique needs of the type 1 diabetes community, the CDA Type 1 Expo will arm people with diabetes and their caregivers with the tools and information needed to manage their disease and potentially prevent or delay serious complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, vision loss or lower-limb amputation.
This event is held in partnership with the Charles H. Best Centre and the Diabetes Hope Foundation.