Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF) advocates for universal access and patient choice for all Canadians with living with this disease
Close to 300,000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) a chronic autoimmune disease where the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are attacked. Unlike type 2 diabetes, individuals with T1D require insulin in order to survive. People with T1D have the risk of short or long-term complications, including highs and lows in blood glucose levels; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. There is currently no cure for T1D.
Breakthrough T1D Canada is the country’s largest non-profit organization focused on T1D. They work to support Canadians impacted by the disease through community programs, funding T1D research and advocating with T1D community for access to diabetes technologies like advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps which make management easier, as well as help prevent life-threatening complications and improve health outcomes.
Breakthrough T1D Canada’s advocacy efforts bring together people affected by type 1 diabetes who want their voices heard. Breakthrough T1D advocates with the T1D community to Members of Parliament (MP) as well as provincial and municipal officials. These relationships strengthen the community and deliver an essential message – the need to accelerate research and improve access through funding from our federal and provincial governments. Out-of-pocket costs represents a significant financial burden for Canadians living with T1D.
The organization’s Access For All program aims to make T1D technology affordable and accessible for everyone living with this disease. Given the financial, physical and mental health burden of living with T1D, this campaign also works to improve access to:
- financial supports (such as the Disability Tax Credit);
- new therapies and treatments; and
- greater investments in T1D research
The goal of Access For All is to improve the lives of those living with this disease in every way possible. Universal access to devices reduces overall healthcare costs and improves health outcomes.
In 2022, Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) commissioned a cost effectiveness study to demonstrate the real quality of life value of diabetes technologies. The study aimed to determine if there is a financial benefit to governments providing access to diabetes devices like advanced glucose monitors.
The study demonstrated that funding advanced glucose monitors is more cost-effective compared to traditional finger-prick methods, and while the cost of funding CGM and Flash GMs are higher in the near-term, they generate significant long-term cost savings due to lower costs of complications, potential hospitalization, and additional medical interventions.
We also know that these devices bring users greater peace of mind and provide more accurate blood glucose measurements than finger prick measurements. T1D self-management is made easier through technologies that provide real-time readings. It helps to improve overall blood glucose (HbA1C) and time in range.
Better self-management and glucose control also help to relieve some of the anxiety that comes with living with a chronic disease. It allows people with T1D to better plan exercise, meals, and rest and greatly improves overall quality of life, including mental and psychosocial health.
Breakthrough T1D Canada believes in patient choice and universal access. Together, with volunteers and advocates from the type 1 diabetes community the organization will continue to advocate all levels of government to ensure affordability, greater access and improved overall health outcomes for people living with T1D today, while working to advance the most promising research into cures tomorrow.
Learn more about the work of Breakthrough T1D and its advocacy initiatives: Breakthrought1d.ca/advocacy/
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