Diabetes Canada 2020 Impact Report YOUR IMPACT in 2020
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2020 IMPACT REPORT Resilience in a Time of Crisis Thank you for supporting the fight in 2020 “We are living through a complicated time where the landscape for Canadian charities has changed rapidly. But the work of Diabetes Canada, on behalf of the one in three Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes (which includes me), has never been more relevant and essential.” Laura Syron, President and CEO Contents 2 Recovery and resilience in a time of crisis 3 Working together to End Diabetes 4 A message from our Chair of the Board 5 A message from our new President & CEO 6 Improving health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond 7 Supporting excellence in diabetes care 8 Fighting on behalf of every Canadian affected by diabetes 10 Connecting youth when they need it the most 12 Making progress from coast to coast 14 Meet three top researchers who are searching for life-changing answers 16 Independent Auditor’s Report 17 2020 Financial Statements 18 Summary Statement of Financial Position 19 Statement of Revenue and Expenses 20 2020 Diabetes Canada Supporters 29 Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and 2020 Regional Chairs 2020 Impact Report Diabetes Canada 1 Recovery and resilience in a time of crisis With the support of generous donors and partners like you, Diabetes Canada continued to lead the fight against diabetes in 2020, despite the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic created. In a year of crisis, when people affected by diabetes needed the support of Diabetes Canada more than ever, we quickly responded—with valued resources and new programs and services. Here are just a few examples: • Our new Diabetes Education Line, in collaboration with volunteer Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), supported almost 200 people with concerns and questions related to COVID-19. • To assist people looking for information about diabetes management amid the pandemic, Diabetes Canada hosted 23 patient-facing webinars in nine languages that had more than 33,000 views in total. • A new COVID-19 section on the Diabetes Canada website shared accurate and up-to-date information for health-care providers, and people living diabetes and their caregivers. • Diabetes Canada collaborated with Health Canada and various diabetes partners to protect Canada’s insulin supply during COVID-19. • We launched Dose of D-Camps, five free virtual one-week programs for children and youth affected by type 1 diabetes that were attended by more than 430 campers. • Featuring 22 expert speakers and 24 interactive chat rooms, the inaugural virtual No Limits with T1D conference hosted more than 2,200 people from the type 1 diabetes community. • In our first nation-wide virtual fundraising event,Lace Up for Diabetes, people from across Canada laced up their shoes to walk, run, dance, bike or hike 10 km to help raise awareness about diabetes and funds in support of people living with the disease. Thank you to our sponsors and participants who raised $150,000 – exceeding our goal by $50,000. 2 Diabetes Canada 2020 Impact Report YOUR IMPACT IN 2020 PROVIDING VITAL EDUCATING SUPPORT THE PUBLIC 23,610 people accessed 3.5 million unique visitors compassionate support accessed Diabetes Canada’s and vital resources website to find essential through 1-800-BANTING, diabetes information. Diabetes Canada’s information and KEEPING YOUTH support services. CONNECTED 430+ children and youth SUPPORTING HEALTH- with type 1 diabetes and CARE PROVIDERS their families attended 307,000 unique visitors Dose of D-Camps online. accessed our world- class Clinical Practice SUPPORTING THE Guidelines online. CAUSE AND THE ENVIRONMENT TOO ADVOCATING FOR Approximately 100 million ACCESS TO LIFE- pounds of donated CHANGING DEVICES items were collected and 18,500 letters were sent diverted from landfill to elected officials calling through Diabetes Canada’s for coverage of flash social enterprise, National and continuous glucose Diabetes Trust clothing monitoring devices. collection program. In 2020, with the support of generous donors and partners like you, Diabetes Canada continued to work toward ending Working diabetes through: Advocacy together Our ongoing fight for the rights of Canadians affected by diabetes through Diabetes 360° included such issues as advocating for government coverage of medication and to End equipment, and access to the disability tax credit. Education Diabetes We supported health-care providers on the front lines of care with our Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Diabetes Canada has been Management of Diabetes in Canada (Clinical Practice Guidelines) and leading the fight against diabetes educational events. We also continued to provide prevention programs and self-assessment tools to help people reduce since 1953. We remain committed their risk of diabetes. to doing all that we can to prevent diabetes, help those affected by Research We funded some of Canada's most renowned scientists and the disease live healthy lives, and clinicians in their quest for new and innovative developments ultimately find a cure. in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes. 2020 Impact Report Diabetes Canada 3 A message from our Chair of the Board Building on the momentum of a very At the same time, the Board was successful 2019, Diabetes Canada’s searching for a new president and plans to improve diabetes awareness, CEO following the retirement of Dr. Jan prevention and care were well underway Hux at the end of 2019. The pandemic at the beginning of 2020. We had such added a layer of difficulty, and urgency, high hopes and expectations for the year. to our search. Fortunately, we found the right leader in Laura Syron. With Little did any of us know what lay ahead. her extensive experience in the not- When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, for-profit sector, leading both mission everything changed for people living and fundraising efforts, she had the with diabetes, for Diabetes Canada, and Board’s full confidence that she could Thank you for for all Canadians. lead the organization forward during the standing by us in pandemic and beyond. these difficult times. In the first few months of the pandemic, Diabetes Canada quickly responded— With Laura at the helm, and donors creating a new section on the Diabetes and stakeholders like you by our side, Canada website and launching the Diabetes Canada remains as committed Diabetes Education Line to answer as ever to our mission to End Diabetes. questions related to COVID-19. People Your trust in us as we navigate these living with diabetes face an increased turbulent times, and your continued risk for some infections, which support as we forge ahead in our new makes them even more vulnerable reality, mean the world to everyone at to COVID-19—so timely access to Diabetes Canada and to the millions information and support was critical. of Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes. As the pandemic raged on, and we felt the financial impact more and more, we had to rethink and re-invent how to deliver more of our programs, from Catherine Potechin D-Camps to professional conferences, all Chair of the Board while ensuring vital research continued. 4 Diabetes Canada 2020 Impact Report Sir Frederick Banting (right) and Charles Best (left) who was the founder of the Canadian Diabetic Association now known as Diabetes Canada, circa 1924. Banting and Best, along with James Collip and John Macleod, are credited with the discovery of insulin 100 years ago. A message from our new President & CEO When I took the reins as President ago was just the starting line. We can’t and CEO of Diabetes Canada midway afford to wait another 100 years to reach through 2020, many critical moves had the finish line. already been made to ensure people affected by diabetes were supported Diabetes Canada’s mission to End during the pandemic. I want to thank the Diabetes is very personal to me. You see, members of the Board, staff, volunteers, I have type 2 diabetes. When I received and our valued partners for your the diagnosis, I was shocked. Like so dedication in these complicated times. many Canadians, I had no I idea I was at risk. I was even more surprised by the People affected by diabetes are at a stigma associated with type 2 diabetes. With your support, greater risk of serious outcomes from Making diabetes part of the conversation COVID-19. So when you consider that 11 is a key priority for Diabetes Canada we will keep leading million Canadians are living with diabetes going forward, as are diversity, equity the fight in 2021 or prediabetes, the work of Diabetes and inclusion. We need to ally with and beyond. Canada has never been more essential. Indigenous, South Asian and other And yet, at a time when the demand for our communities who are at a higher risk of programs is at its highest, the pandemic developing type 2 diabetes. has altered the economic landscape. We have our work cut out for us, but As we navigate our new reality, some with your support, I am certain that things will need to change. However, I we can turn a time of unprecedented assure you, Diabetes Canada will continue uncertainty into a time of exceptional to educate Canadians about the risks of progress and growth. diabetes, advocate on behalf of people affected by the disease, and support health-care providers on the front lines of diabetes care. We also remain committed to funding research into ways to prevent, Laura Syron treat and one day cure diabetes. The President and CEO Canadian discovery of insulin 100 years 2020 Impact Report Diabetes Canada 5 Improving health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond Education is an important part of Diabetes ASK EXPERTS WEBINAR Canada’s mission and one of the key pillars Resources for people with diabetes during COVID-19 in our effort to End Diabetes.