Making an Impact: How DAC is Advancing Patient Engagement This Diabetes Awareness Month
An update from our Director of Patient Engagement, Linxi Mytkolli.
November is here, which means it’s Diabetes Awareness Month! This is an important time for our team at Diabetes Action Canada (DAC), where we’re excited to share what we’ve been working on to support and amplify the voices of people living with diabetes. From international panels to innovative projects, here’s a look at the month ahead.
Presenting at DiabetesMine’s D-Data ExChange in San Diego
We’re honoured to bring DAC’s work on patient engagement to DiabetesMine’s D-Data ExChange on November 7th. This event is a one-of-a-kind gathering where patient-entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and healthcare leaders meet to discuss the latest in diabetes care. It’s a powerful space to connect and learn from others who are equally passionate about improving life with diabetes.
Global Connections with the WHO Diabetes Global Compact
We’re reconnecting with the WHO Diabetes Global Compact on November 8th for updates and a spotlight on impactful diabetes work happening across Africa. Being part of the global diabetes community is invaluable, as it gives us the opportunity to learn from each other and build a stronger, more connected support network for people with diabetes worldwide.
Panel at the Ottawa Art Gallery Symposium: HeARTcare
Later this month, we’re joining a panel at the Ottawa Art Gallery Symposium: HeARTcare to discuss patient engagement in research and how art can convey complex health knowledge in an accessible way. This event will bring together artists, healthcare leaders, and advocates to foster collaboration and spark meaningful conversations on November 20th. Dr. Daisy Fancourt, a leading voice in arts and health from the WHO, will be our keynote speaker.
Engaging with MyRoad Trainees
In the lead-up to the Diabetes Canada Conference, we’ll be working with MyRoad, a Canada-wide training platform dedicated to supporting the next generation of diabetes and obesity researchers. During their trainee day on November 20th, we’ll talk about how to embed patient engagement from the earliest stages of research. This session is a fantastic opportunity to help young scientists understand the value of collaborating with patients throughout their work.
Panel at the Diabetes Canada Conference: Knowledge Mobilization
We’re thrilled to be hosting a Knowledge Mobilization panel on November 22nd at this year’s Diabetes Canada Conference. Our eight patient partner fellows have been working tirelessly with four partner organizations since May to turn their research into projects that drive real change. We’re excited to share our collective journey and showcase their remarkable work, including:
- Indigenous advocacy flash cards
- Mental health infographics
- Obesity and diabetes comic strips
- South Asian and Afro-Caribbean patient vignettes
Each of these projects shows how research can come to life in ways that directly benefit our communities, making knowledge accessible and actionable.
Looking Ahead
Diabetes Awareness Month isn’t just a time to raise awareness—it’s about creating meaningful change. We’re incredibly proud of our team’s dedication to enhancing patient engagement and building partnerships that span the globe. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and let’s make November a month of progress, connection, and impact!
Warmly,
Linxi Mytkolli
Director of Patient Engagement
Diabetes Action Canada
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Associated Programs
Patient Engagement
Supporting the Mental Health Needs of People with Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is a 24-hour condition with no vacations or days off. Those who live with it understand that diabetes distress – the term for mental health challenges specific to diabetes – is very real and can be very challenging to manage. It can also have a big impact on other aspects of diabetes care – like this A1Cs doctors are always checking.
This episode’s guests will give listeners lots to think about when it comes to diabetes and mental health – and how Diabetes Action Canada is at the forefront of new programs aimed at improving mental health in everyone with diabetes.
Host Krista Lamb with talk to guests Dr. Carly Whitmore, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, and Linxi Mytkolli, Diabetes Action Canada’s Lead of Patient Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization and a person living with diabetes.
Patients as Research Partners
Episode one features an interview with Patient Partner Dana Greenberg and Dr. Holly Witteman about the role of patients as Research Partners.
Patient Partnership in Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are the way we test new drugs or therapies on people, and they’re incredibly important to moving diabetes research forward. However, they can be challenging and complicated to develop and fund.
That’s where the new Diabetes Clinical Trials Network in Canada comes in.
This episode’s guests are Dr. Hertzel Gerstein, who is leading this new Network, and Diabetes Action Canada’s Executive Director, Tracy McQuire. They explain why the organizations have partnered with a goal of improving the pathway to moving the best clinical trials in diabetes forward faster.
Catalyst for Change Award Winners!
Diabetes Action Canada Joins the WHO’s Global Diabetes Compact
