Why Patient Voices Matter Here: How Conferences Can Better Include Lived Experience
Written by: Brit Hancock. Brit is a disability and health equity advocate from London, Ontario. As someone living with type 1 diabetes and diabetes-related complications, she speaks openly about how stigma shapes healthcare experiences. She is a Research-to-Action Fellow with Diabetes Action Canada, focused on turning lived experience into action. Returning to In-Person Diabetes Conferences […]
At the Table: Youth, Diabetes, and Canada’s Global Health Voice
This piece was written by Linxi Mytkolli, Director of Patient Engagement at Diabetes Action Canada. Linxi brings deep expertise in patient partnership and knowledge mobilization, and her appointment as Canada’s Youth Delegate on Global Health is a meaningful opportunity to extend that work onto the international stage. We are proud to see her leadership helping […]
Amplifying Patient Voices: Reflections after ISPAD 2025
Last November, I had the opportunity to attend the annual international conference of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, held this year in Montreal. As DAC’s Francophone Engagement Coordinator, my goal was to learn about new clinical, policy, and advocacy developments, while proudly representing and championing Francophone voices. Accompanied by my colleague Linxi […]
From Research to Action: Welcoming the 2025 Fellowship Cohort
Meet the 10 new Fellows turning diabetes research into real-world tools -supported by global partners, lived experience, and a shared vision for change.
Creating Change Through Conversation: Reflections from Our Indigenous-Led Anti-Racism Training
By Sasha Delorme, Chair of the Indigenous Patient Circle, Diabetes Action Canada What am I doing to create change in this world—for my children, and for future generations? I’m working to make space for honest, open conversations about racism. And not just conversations—transformative ones. Earlier this spring, the Indigenous Patient Circle (IPC) hosted its second […]
Engagement francophone : Laurie Lépine en conversation / Francophone Engagement: In Conversation with Laurie Lépine
An English version will follow. Rencontre avec Laurie Lépine Coordonnatrice de l’engagement des patient·e·s francophones, Diabetes Action Canada Parle‑nous de ton parcours et de ce qui t’a menée chez DAC En 2013, j’ai reçu un diagnostic de diabète de type 1. Très vite, j’ai découvert à quel point cette maladie exige une vigilance constante — et à quel point les ressources […]
Rethinking Care: Lessons from the 2024 Diabetes Canada Conference
One of the most thought-provoking sessions I attended at the 2024 Diabetes Canada Conference was titled “How to Approach Challenging Clinical Scenarios: Considerations for Care Plan Evolution in the Real World.” The first presenter, a clinical psychologist specializing in patients living with diabetes and obesity, explained that the way doctors communicate with their patients is […]
From Rain to Realizations: A Fellow’s Journey at the Diabetes Canada Conference
One of the most memorable things about this year’s Diabetes Canada Conference didn’t really have much to do with the conference itself—it was the weather. It rained every single day, but that didn’t stop the DAC Fellows from forging new friendships, presenting innovative ideas for the diabetes community, and having just a little sugar and […]
From the Road to the Conference: Lessons in Connection and Care
A Different Kind of Journey The last time I travelled to meet my fellowship cohort, I rode in on my motorcycle. That was back in May, and I was healthy then—able to walk on my own and barely acquainted with this group of dedicated individuals. I was in awe of how much talent the other […]
Bridging Cultures and Care: A Journey from Research to Action
My journey to the Diabetes Canada Conference began in May 2024, when I was honoured to be selected as one of eight awardees for the Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) Research to Action Fellowship. This groundbreaking programme empowers individuals with lived or loved experiences of diabetes to bridge the gap between research and practical applications. For […]