A1C-Chronicles:

November 2025

Empowering Your Diabetes Journey,  Together 💙

 👋 ,

Welcome back to A1C-Chronicles!

To our Diabetes Express Family,

For Diabetes Awareness Month we wanted to do things a bit differently. In this edition of the A1C-Chronicles we wanted to highlight the work of three community organizations who we partnered with this year and share updates on our advocacy! It's all a part of...

Empowering Your Diabetes Journey, Together!

Connected In Motion - Background and Mission

Connected in Motion (CIM), officially The Experiential Diabetes Education Group, was founded to address a significant gap: support for adults living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Since its inception, CIM has redefined what it means to live with T1D by focusing on peer-based experiential education and outdoor adventure pursuits. Their mission is simple yet profound: to foster a community so that people with T1D may inspire one another to live life without limits. CIM is where you learn to manage your pump settings while paddling a canoe, or fine-tune basal rates while hiking a trail—using real-life experience as the classroom.

Connected In Motion x Diabetes Express

Like in previous years, this year, we were honoured to support CIM's Slipstream Weekends and Webinars. A weekend jam-packed with outdoor adventure, engaging workshops, great food and incredible people. Our team also had the opportunity to join some of these events, gaining invaluable insights into the daily realities of active T1D management. 

"I felt like family at CIM's Slipstream. Watching a room full of people all programming their insulin pumps at lunch was awe inspiring for me, as someone who does not have Type 1 diabetes. Watching those same individuals adjust their basal rate while tackling a challenging hike perfectly illustrates CIM's mission of living life without limits. It deeply impacts me to know that through our support, we are helping foster spaces where participants can surround themselves with people who just get it." - Ashwin Kujur, Diabetes Express Customer Experience Specialist 

I Challenge Diabetes - Background and Mission

I Challenge Diabetes (ICD) was founded by Olympian Chris Jarvis, a former rower who himself lives with T1D. Chris realized that success in sport and life, particularly with diabetes, came down to strong leadership and chemistry within a supportive team. ICD’s mission is to connect, empower, and support people living with diabetes of all ages through mentorship and challenging, active programs. They focus on applying strategies to overcome life's obstacles, empowering participants to take ownership of their health.

I Challenge Diabetes x Diabetes Express

At ICD's Growing With Diabetes Conference, we were introduced to Simeon King, who had a mission to cycle across Canada in support of ICD. Simeon's goal was to support ICD's Empowerment Fund, a crucial subsidy program designed to remove financial barriers. We were so captivated with Simeon's energy that we decided to sponsor his journey! When our parent company Bayshore heard the news, it cascaded into a national effort of supporting Simeon from Vancouver to St. John's. After three months of cycling across Canada, Simeon blew past his goal to raise over $112,000! 

"At a previous ICD event, I had spoken with a parent who said the mentorship her child received completely changed their outlook on T1D. This experience was at the forefront of my mind when Simeon initially told me about his planned Cycle For Type 1 Journey! I never imagined the impact that we would have on not only individuals with Type 1 but also the close to 30,000 Canadians who were exposed to Simeon's message that "Anything is Possible." - Ray Nayani, Diabetes Express  

The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre - Background and Mission

Named after Dr. Charles H. Best, the co-discoverer of insulin, The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre ("The Best Centre") opened its doors in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1989. It was established by Marlene Grass, RN, to meet the desperate need for specialized out-of-hospital education and support for children and youth with diabetes in the Durham Region. The Centre's dedication is reflected in its internal motto: "Best Education and Support Team." It provides multidisciplinary care, technology expertise, and essential educational programs to patients and their families.

The Best Centre x Diabetes Express

Diabetes Express has had a close relationship with The Charles H Best Diabetes Centre for many years, supporting the critical work the centre does within our local communities. We believe their comprehensive model, which focuses on empowering the patient and the family unit, is critical for sustained health management. Diabetes Express is proud to support the annual Walk For The Best. 

“Walking alongside families at the Walk-for-the-Best this year was truly grounding. It reminded me that The Best Centre isn’t just a clinic—it’s a lifeline for parents navigating the challenges of their child’s diabetes. The dedication of the staff and the strength of these families inspire me every single day. This is why we stand with them: to make sure every child and parent has the support they need when it matters most.” - Abbas Feroz, Diabetes Express Team Lead

Our Advocacy in Action - Fighting for Health Equity 🔵

This year, the Diabetes Express team stepped up our advocacy efforts, moving to actively push for policy changes that impact Canadians living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). We recognize that even the best technology is useless if it's not accessible through provincial programs.

• Meeting with MPP Logan Kanapathi: We were honoured to meet with MPP Logan Kanapathi (Member of Provincial Parliament) to discuss the current challenges within the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). Our focus was to advocate for necessary changes to ADP to better support all Ontarians, specifically concerning early equitable access to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems and supplies. 

• Speaking with the RNAO: We also spoke with Lhamo Dholkar, President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), to advocate for the same key changes. RNAO is a leader within Ontario's healthcare system and gaining the support of RNAO's 57,000+ frontline healthcare leaders is crucial to bringing change. 

Understanding the System - Why Your Voice Matters 

In Canada, understanding our healthcare structure is key to effective advocacy.

• Provincial Jurisdiction: While the federal government sets standards, the delivery and funding of health services and most diabetes devices fall under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. This includes covering the costs for CGMs, pumps, and supplies, often managed through programs like Ontario's ADP. This is why a change in provincial policy can dramatically change accessibility for all residents.

• Funding Decisions: When you advocate for better coverage, you are influencing how the province prioritizes and funds its health services. Political and organizational leaders need to hear how these devices move from being a financial burden to a cost-effective necessity that improves health outcomes and reduces expensive complications.

This is why it is so important for you to get involved! Your personal story holds immense weight with policymakers and healthcare leaders.

📢 Your Call to Action - Reach Out!

We encourage every reader to use their voice and share their story with those who hold the power to change policy:

1. Contact Your MPP/MLA/MNA: Write or call your local Member of Provincial Parliament. Tell them how CGM or AID technology has impacted your life and why full, equitable provincial coverage is necessary.

2. Contact Healthcare Organizations: Reach out to major provincial organizations like the RNAO or Diabetes Canada to support their advocacy campaigns for better access. These professional organizations influence clinical practice and policy at the highest levels.

Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference in Toronto, Ontario 

November 26 - 29, 2025

The Diabetes Express team is excited to announce that we will be attending the Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference right here in Toronto, Ontario!

This is Canada's premier annual event for healthcare professionals (HCPs) specializing in diabetes and endocrinology. It's where the newest Canadian research is unveiled, clinical practice guidelines are discussed, and our community gathers to elevate care across the country.

We'll be there to engage with your doctors, nurses, dietitians, and educators, ensuring we stay on top of the latest Canadian standards, technology recommendations, and patient-centred care strategies. This ensures that the information and service you receive from Diabetes Express is always informed by the absolute best practices in Canadian diabetes care.

If you are an attending the conference, please stop by our booth to chat! We look forward to seeing the advances that will shape Canadian diabetes management in the year ahead!

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