A century on from the discovery of insulin, diabetes research more important than ever

March 4, 2021 · 0 Comments

When Mason Dos Anjos was 16-months-old, his family witnessed a terrifying episode when he became unresponsive and unconscious.

He was rushed by ambulance to Southlake Hospital in what they learnt was full-blown Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and later to Sick Kids Hospital.

“It was the scariest day of my life as I felt like I almost lost my son. With no family history of Type 1 Diabetes, we felt like we were thrown into the ocean surrounded by sharks. We had to learn to be friends with the sharks or die,” said his mother, Miriam Dos Anjos.

Now, at 7 years old, Mason is an ambassador for JDRF Canada, a non-profit organization that funds Type 1 Diabetes research. It is children like Mason and families affected by Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) that JRDF hopes to help, with the launch of its “$100M Campaign to Accelerate”, a fundraising effort that aims to accelerate research and move beyond insulin.

As 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, the campaign comes at a pivotal point.

The campaign will rally volunteers from coast to coast to invest $100 million over the next five years to bring innovative and life-changing therapies to patients and families faster, and to ensure that Canadians living with T1D have greater access to lifesaving technology and mental health supports that help more people thrive despite their condition.

Currently, families living with T1D have to deal with uncertainty and fear.

In the words of 7-year-old Mason, “My diabetes is always there. It feels like I am being chased all the time. I wish I could just eat and not have to ask or plan. I have to carry my supplies and phone everywhere with me. I hate feeling bad a lot and no one understands how I feel.”

And yet, the JRDF community gives Mason a sense of support and community.

“JDRF is a huge part of our lives. Mason has been an ambassador for over five years. We have met so many wonderful people that we now call family. Our T1 tribe. We have been blessed to fundraise and participate in so many events bringing us closer to a cure, awareness, support, and inclusion. These events are life changing, bringing the T1 community together all for the greater good. Turn Type One to Type None,” said Miriam.

The launch of the $100M Campaign to Accelerate hopes to bring a monumental change in the lives of Canadians living with Type 1 Diabetes.

“While the discovery of insulin in Canada 100 years ago saved millions of lives, it is still not a cure. It is fitting that now is the time to map out the next era of discovery in Type 1 diabetes research. Through our Campaign to Accelerate, we will transform our approach to research, redesigning it for speed to give Canadians hope for freedom from Type 1 Diabetes,” said Dave Prowten, President and CEO of JDRF Canada.

The Dos Anjos family, who have been residents of Aurora for over 10 years, are hopeful and optimistic.

As Miriam points out, “This campaign is a bold fundraising effort that will change the lives of all Canadians living with T1D.”

By Kinjal Dagli Shah