To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre, Diabetes Action Canada, and the University of Toronto Department of Medicine have brought together a diverse group of speakers to share their diabetes stories. Learn the latest approaches to using insulin, while hearing from people living with diabetes, and discover how we are changing the way research is done. Open to all, this event will educate and inspire.
Live well and thrive with diabetes.
Presented by:
Diabetes Action Canada and the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre, University of Toronto
In collaboration with:
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, University of Toronto
Opening Remarks and welcome led by Drs. Gary Lewis and Jacqueline James
Moderated Session
Insulin then and now
5:10 – 5:20pm
My Diabetes Story
Living with diabetes gives you a unique perspective on this condition—and makes you in many ways an expert on what it’s like to have this disease. Diabetes Action Canada’s Patient Partners Chloe Pow and father, Conrad Pow share their stories and explain why they’re so invested in playing a role in the development of new research programs.
5:20 – 5:40pm
How Insulin Was Discovered: Toronto’s Gift to the World
When Sir Frederick Banting awoke in the middle of the night with an idea about how to treat diabetes, he had no way of knowing he was on the brink of transforming—and in many cases saving—the lives of millions of people around the world. Join Grant Maltman, Curator at the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada in London, Ontario, as he shares the unique story of Dr. Banting and how that middle-of-the-night moment changed history.
Special bonus: Watch as Grant unveils Canada Post’s newest commemorative stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
5:40 – 6:00pm
The Unique Experience and Challenges of Indigenous Canadians Living with Diabetes
The Diabetes Action Canada Indigenous Patient Circle is working to establish research priorities in Indigenous health. Members will share their personal stories of living or supporting loved ones with diabetes and how they are partnering with, and in some cases leading, diabetes research teams.
6:00 - 6:50pm
Advances in the Treatment of diabetes: Where have we been and where are we going?
Join Toronto’s Dr. Alice Cheng and Dr. Bruce Perkins as they discuss the latest advances in diabetes treatment and care. From do-it-yourself looping to islet transplants, from stem cells to continuous glucose monitors, there have never been more options or opportunities.
6:50 – 7:00pm
Break and networking
Moderated Session
Patient Partner, Conrad Pow: Celebrating the lives of those with diabetes in the modern age
7:00 - 7:10pm
My Diabetes Story
Living with diabetes gives you a unique perspective on this condition—and makes you in many ways an expert on what it’s like to have this disease. Diabetes Action Canada’s Patient Partners Marley Greenberg and Dana Greenberg share their stories and explain why they’re so invested in playing a role in the development of new research programs.
7:10 – 7:40pm
Living and Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes
From celebrated athletes to health care dynamos and everyone in between, there are a range of people not just living with type 1 diabetes, but also thriving. Jen Hanson,Executive Director of Connected in Motionand a person living with diabetes shares the community perspective of an active life with T1D. Oria James, Volunteer Researcher at World Health Organization & Cofounder of the Canadian College Diabetes Network, who also lives with T1D, brings her perspective on how to excel in post-secondary education while living with diabetes.
7:40 – 8:00pm
Nothing About Us Without Us
Think you can’t define a research question or play an active part in planning a study without a PhD? Not so! For decades, research on people with diabetes focused on the patient as the subject, not as an active part of the process itself. In this engaging session, Dr. Holly Witteman, a researcher who lives with T1D, along with her colleague Dr. Maman Joyce Dogba both from Université Laval and Dr. Joseph Cafazzo, a researcher from the University of Toronto discuss how the role of patients in research is shifting. This talk, moderated by Krista Lamb, will leave people with diabetes feeling empowered not only to share their lived experience, but to use it to help find management options that truly fit their needs.
7:40 – 8:00pm
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks and farewell led by Drs. Gary Lewis and Jacqueline James
Contact
Tracy McQuire MSc, PMP
Manager, Research Operations | Diabetes Action Canada – CIHR SPOR Network