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top diabetes associations in canada: finding the right organization and resources for you

roughly 1 in 10 canadians over the age of 20 are living with diabetes. as prevalence rates continue to rise, these five organizations aim to improve the quality of life for those with the condition.

by angelica bottaro
published may 16, 2024
last updated jul 18, 2024
read time 5 minute read
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read time 5 minute read
join the conversation
diabetes associations in canada continue to work toward a cure and better therapies while improving the quality of life of those living with diabetes. getty images
diabetes affects roughly 3.7 million canadians. while the condition is common, living with diabetes poses unique challenges because of the long-term effects of the disease on quality of life and the risk of life-altering complications. people living with diabetes can manage their condition, but it can be difficult to do alone. these five organizations aim to change and improve the lives of canadians living with diabetes through education, research, support, advocacy, and high-level change
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diabetes canada

1300-522 university avenue
toronto, on m5g 2r5
1-800-226-8464 or 1-416-363-3373
info@diabetes.ca
diabetes canada, formed in the 1940s as the diabetic association of ontario, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with diabetes. their main goal is to fight the increased rates of diabetes through prevention information and techniques, help patients living with diabetes lead healthier lives, and work to find a cure for the condition.
they are committed to a national agenda that can help connect patients, regardless of age, to specific programs such as diabetes canada’s d-camps for children and youth and support groups for adults with diabetes.

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the organization also provides those in the healthcare industry with expert information that can assist them in improving the care given to patients with diabetes, while working with advocates to ensure that access to care and supplies is equitable for everyone who needs it, regardless of where they live, the ethnic group they belong to, or their socioeconomic status.
the research side of diabetes canada aims to assist medical scientists in finding new cutting-edge treatments that can change how people living with diabetes manage their condition. overall, diabetes canada provides resources for healthcare professionals, advocacy information and opportunities, and funding for research.
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diabetes action canada

toronto general hospital
200 elizabeth street
eaton building, room 12e242
toronto, on m5g 2c4
1-416-340-4800 ext. 2522
info@diabetesaction.ca
diabetes action canada is a pan-canadian research organization that focuses on bringing patients, caregivers, and researchers together to address the health concerns people with diabetes face daily. they also help to co-create research projects that aim to provide more information and support for those with the condition.

resource centre

sponsored by
diabetes canada
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the organization offers patients the chance to participate in several programs geared toward the different types of diabetes and the different groups of people with the disease. diabetes action canada also places a heavy focus on research to connect patients with scientists to help modify current research to go in the direction that provides an optimal impact on the health of those living with diabetes.
the scientists and professionals who work with diabetes action canada are dedicated to addressing concerns and improving the lives of those living with the condition through research, patient engagement, and support.
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jdrf canada  

235 yorkland boulevard suite 1201
toronto, on m2j 4y8
1-877-287-3533
general@jdrf.ca  
the juvenile diabetes research foundation, also known as jdrf canada, was formed in 1974 by parents with children living with type 1 diabetes. their goal was to find a cure for the disease that afflicted their children. since then, jdrf has become the largest funder and advocate for type 1 diabetes research in the country. while the primary goal remains the same, jdrf has expanded into other avenues of research to improve treatments and the quality of life for those living with diabetes at any age.
powered by
diabetes canada
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their two main efforts are research and advocacy. their research funding includes clinical trials, grants for medical scientists working in the diabetes space, and other funded programs geared toward making screening, testing, and treating diabetes easier.
advocacy by jdrf centers around helping those living with diabetes access the care and treatment they need and helping people apply for various supporting programs, such as the disability tax credit.
through research and advocacy, jdrf hopes to one day find a cure for diabetes and, in the meantime, create viable and actional programs that people living with the disease can tap into to improve their lives.
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national indigenous diabetes association (nida)  

202-160 provencher boulevard
winnipeg, mb r2h 0g3
1-204-927-1221
coordinator@nada.ca  
the national indigenous diabetes association (nida), formerly known as the national aboriginal diabetes association, is geared toward helping those in the indigenous community living with diabetes. it was first formed to address the epidemic-level rates of diabetes in indigenous communities. the main goal was to reduce deadly disease complications in the community.
since then, nida has expanded its work into the diabetes awareness and prevention space by implementing different strategies to increase awareness of diabetes in the indigenous community and prevention techniques for those at risk of developing the condition.
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they do this by offering various programs, such as their just move it program to encourage physical activity and their pathway to wellness handbook, which provides information and tips on living well with diabetes.
the association also provides resources for all aspects of diabetes care, including age-focused groups, kidney health information and support, general prevention tips, and mental health resources. by addressing all aspects of health in people with diabetes, nida hopes to encourage 2022年世界杯名单猜测 and the prevention of new diabetes cases in indigenous communities across the country.
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diabetes care community

16 dominion street
bracebridge, on p1l 2a5
admin@diabetescarecommunity.ca
diabetes care community is a patient organization dedicated to empowering canadians living with diabetes and prediabetes and their caregivers in a way that encourages healthier living. they work with patients to provide support and knowledge surrounding the disease, prevention and treatment techniques, healthy lifestyle changes that can improve diabetes, and self-management tools.
they do this by offering an assortment of resources on their site, including educational articles surrounding diabetes, diabetes-friendly recipes and menu planning ideas, and tips and tools geared toward managing the condition.
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their main goal is to empower and motivate people with the chronic disease to push toward healthier living to reduce diabetes symptoms and, in some cases, the reversal of type 2 diabetes.
living with diabetes can be challenging for patients and their caregivers, but with organizations such as the ones above, it can be easier because of the support, advocacy, and research efforts to advance prevention, care, and management of the disease.
angelica bottaro
angelica bottaro

angelica bottaro is the lead editor at healthing.ca, and has been content writing for over a decade, specializing in all things health. her goal as a health journalist is to bring awareness and information to people that they can use as an additional tool toward their own optimal health.

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