How Canadians Can Get Involved in Diabetes Awareness Month

How Canadians Can Get Involved in Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and November 14 is World Diabetes Day. November 14 commemorates the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the Ontarian physician who discovered insulin along with his team at the University of Toronto in 1922. The discovery of insulin continues to be a proud moment for Canadians. Before this breakthrough, we didn’t know what caused diabetes, which made it almost impossible to treat. After Banting and his team received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923 for their discovery, pharmaceutical companies began producing insulin as a widely available diabetes treatment. Thanks to the work of Banting’s team, people living with diabetes can manage the condition and continue to live full, active lives with the help of insulin.

Why participate in Diabetes Awareness Month?

While we’ve come a long way since the discovery of insulin, there is still more we can do to make sure that everyone living with diabetes has the support they need to thrive. Diabetes and prediabetes affect 11.7 million Canadians, and the number of people experiencing diabetes across the country is, unfortunately, growing. The goal of Diabetes Awareness Month is to increase the visibility of the diabetes community, create greater understanding, and to elevate the conversation about diabetes to advocate for more research and better government policy when it comes to diabetes care.

Groups like Diabetes Canada and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) are currently working to fund critical research that will get medical institutions closer to a cure for the condition. Both organizations are also involved in initiatives to increase healthcare coverage for diabetes medications and technology, making essential diabetes treatment and tools accessible to more Canadians.

Diabetes Awareness Month puts the spotlight on the community of people who courageously manage diabetes every day. Here at Dexcom, we call these people Warriors because showing up to manage diabetes on top of striving towards their goals and confronting the challenges they face in life is not only hard, it’s heroic. If you are living with diabetes or care for someone who does, Diabetes Awareness Month gives you the chance to recognize yourself and all the hard work you’ve put into your diabetes journey so far.

There are many ways to get involved in Diabetes Awareness Month. No matter how you choose to participate, know that your voice matters.

Ways to Participate in Diabetes Awareness Month

Throughout Diabetes Awareness Month, there are plenty of ways you can get involved and play your part—whether it’s online, in your local community, or on your own.

Connect with the Diabetes Community

When it comes to managing diabetes, you’re never alone. Diabetes organizations, social media pages or forums, and meetup groups in your area can help you build a sense of belonging and expand your network of support.

See if the diabetes community in your area is hosting any events through November, both in-person and online. You can check out Diabetes Canada-affiliated events near you on their website for Diabetes Awareness Month and throughout the year. JDRF also hosts events across the country in November and year-round. Beyond attending events, you can support the diabetes community by volunteering with Diabetes Canada or getting involved with JDRF as a volunteer or ambassador.

These are a few other diabetes community groups you can get involved with:

Become a Dexcom Warrior

Dexcom Warriors are a diverse group of individuals who manage their diabetes courageously with the help of Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems. A Warrior has a fierce spirit, unfailing determination, and a strong will to do what needs to be done to care for themselves (or their loved ones) through their diabetes journey. Every Warrior has a unique experience living with diabetes, but by sharing their stories, they help others feel a sense of belonging.

There are many ways to be part of the Dexcom Warrior community. Here’s how you can get started:

Learn more about what it means to be a Dexcom Warrior.
Watch Warrior stories on YouTube to get inspired.
Follow our Warriors through our Facebook and Instagram pages and join in on the conversation with the hashtag #DexcomWarrior.
Apply to become an official Dexcom Warrior by sending us an email.

Advocate for Change Around Diabetes Care

One of the ways you can make an impact during Diabetes Awareness Month—and beyond—is to get involved with advocacy. Diabetes Canada facilitates an advocate program you can join to help put the spotlight on what it’s like to live with diabetes, inspiring change in public opinion, government policy, and business practices.

Advocacy work is already shifting the way diabetes care is administered across Canada. For example, the National Framework for Diabetes Act called for the development of a plan to improve the way diabetes is treated. Thanks to contributions from individuals in the diabetes community, the Framework for Diabetes in Canada was put before parliament in October 2022. With this framework in place, governments across the nation have better guidelines for delivering what Canadians living with diabetes really need.⁴

Be a Champion for Yourself

Diabetes Awareness Month is a good reminder to continue to learn more about how you can care for yourself and manage diabetes with greater confidence. Some ideas for self-care activities include:

Exploring online mental health resources to mental health and T1D from JDRF.
Engaging in movement that feels good to you. Try out activities that get you connected to your community.
Experiment with new healthy meals with your friends and family—or host a block potluck. Diabetes Canada has a tonne of diabetes-friendly recipes.
Learning more about what’s going on in your body through diabetes education or attending a diabetes class in your area.

Stay Active in the Diabetes Community All Year Long

November might be Diabetes Awareness Month for the whole country, but you’re already aware of the challenges of managing diabetes every single day. Even when November ends, there are plenty of ways to continue to participate in the diabetes community—whether that’s through attending local events or simply engaging online. Sharing your story with others on social media and in your everyday life raises awareness about what it’s really like to experience diabetes, encouraging empathy and greater understanding from those who don’t live with the condition. Connecting with people who understand what you’re going through gives you the chance to build a social support network that can be there for you through all your highs and lows.

Apply to become a Dexcom Warrior

1 The Discovery of Insulin. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Updated December 17, 2021. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-discovery-of-insulin
2 The History of a Wonderful Thing We Call Insulin. American Diabetes Association. July 1, 2019. https://diabetes.org/blog/history-wonderful-thing-we-call-insulin
3 Diabetes in Canada: 2022 Backgrounder. Diabetes Canada. February 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Advocacy-and-Policy/Backgrounder/2022_Backgrounder_Canada_English_1.pdf
4 Framework for diabetes in Canada. Government of Canada. October 5, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/framework-diabetes-canada.html

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