Canada and Type 1 Diabetes


 2018-08-16

About Type 1 diabetes in Canada

Canada—the birthplace of Fredrick Banting and, therefore, insulin. Canada’s population is 36 million people, and the most recent data says that 300,000 of these Canadians live with type 1 diabetes—around 1 percent of the population. As with the rest of the world, the incidence of type 1 is increasing. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, the rate of type 1 incidence is increasing by 3 percent annually for children under the age of 14.

Canada is known worldwide for having “free healthcare.” However, the Canadian healthcare system is a little bit more complicated than this. If you have type 1, physician and specialist visits, hospitalization, and most lab and diagnostics tests are covered. However, different provinces have different laws when it comes to the rest of healthcare coverage because of the way that funding is divvied up. Some provinces will pay for insulin pumps and other diabetes management supplies, but not all. Employers in Canada sometimes offer insurance benefits, and this might include prescriptions.

Canadian efforts

In Depth with Medtronic’s Chief Patient Officer


There’s so much innovative technology, new services, and better education and training. It’s all going to be integrated with your life, in the car, on your body, in the house, with your family, an...MORE

DRIFcan and the Edmonton Protocol for Type 1 Diabetes Cure Research


Beyond Type 1 had the pleasure of talking to Melanie Hibbard, the executive director of DRIFCan. DRIFCan, or Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada, was established in 2005 and their mission is...MORE

Tortoise vs the Hare – Islet Transplantation vs Technology


The race to find a more effective and non-evasive, injection-free therapy for patients with Type 1 diabetes involves many players. The remaining question is not when, but who is going to win: the tort...MORE

Join Our Warning Signs Awareness Campaign


Excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss + exhaustion. Sharing the warning signs of type 1 diabetes saves lives.MORE

Personal stories

You know you have Type 1 when …


Have type 1 diabetes? Then you'll get it. Here are 21 ways you know you have type 1.MORE

11 Nosy Questions with Your New Favorite T1D Couple


Bike Beyond's Amanda Oberski and Matt Swain fell in love on the road. This is their story. MORE

The Night My Son Nearly Died for a Sprite


After a day of good blood glucose readings, my son asked for a Sprite. Little did I know that could be his demise. Read our cautionary story.MORE

About Beyond Type 1

Founded in February 2015, Beyond Type 1 creates and funds a portfolio of programs, technologies and innovations that those living with type 1 diabetes need to manage, live and thrive. Our goal is to highlight the brilliance of those fighting this disease every day while always working toward ensuring a cure is on its way.

By establishing a supportive community via powerful social media, people are connected on a global scale in a new way. Our Instagram campaign “Living Beyond,” showcases the age, range and variance of those living their best life with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and our website and social media platforms provide education and support.

High profile collaborations and carefully curated special events will provide education and awareness, affording a greater capacity for strategic fundraising. Because our Founders + Founding Friends pay all operational and fundraising expenses, 100 percent of every dollar raised directly supports the most promising global efforts and programs working to educate, advocate and cure type 1 diabetes.

We aim to be provocative, inclusive and disruptive: putting a face on this disease, clearing up misunderstandings about who is affected by T1D and eradicating the stigma that comes from living with a chronic disease. We recognize there is a different narrative to be told: that of a strong empowered community living a powerful life beyond the diagnosis. We also recognize a future free of T1D is possible and we are here to make certain that future materializes. We are here to disrupt diabetes.

Programs in Canada

Snail Mail Club


Check out the Beyond Type 1 Snail Mail Club, a pen pal program for kids and teens (adults are welcome, to!) with type 1 diabetes around the world.MORE

Slipstream Weekends from Beyond Type 1 x Connected in Motion


Camp retreat weekends for adults with type 1 diabetes, coproduced by Beyond Type 1 and Connected In Motion!MORE

Join Our Warning Signs Awareness Campaign


Excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss + exhaustion. Sharing the warning signs of type 1 diabetes saves lives.MORE

How to get involved in Beyond Type 1

Get the ultimate list of ways you can join the Beyond Type 1 community!

WRITTEN BY BT1 Editorial Team, POSTED 08/16/18, UPDATED 07/25/23

This piece was authored collaboratively by the Beyond Type 1 Editorial Team.