Big Screen Betes Is Nothing Short of Mir- Who Must Choose Between Food, Rent, Aculous

A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET DIABETES LIVING WELL WITH PERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CA DIABETES IS POSSIBLE

During the night of October 31, 1920, Canadian hero Sir Frederick Banting woke up with the idea of insulin — a discovery that has saved millions of lives worldwide.

Rick Blickstead While research developments are en- President & CEO couraging, they do not always benefit Canadian everyone who needs them. Fair access Diabetes to devices, medications, and health care LIFE ON THE Association professionals varies across Canada de- pending on where you live and your ince then, the progress insurance plans. Shockingly, there are achieved in managing dia- Canadians living with diabetes today big screen betes is nothing short of mir- who must choose between food, rent, aculous. We understand and utilities, or medication. can manage it much bet- The fact that diabetes takes no breaks Ster thanks to the medications, testing can make living with it difficult. Once WITH TYPE 1 devices, and the expertise of dedicated you have it, it is 24/7/365. The key to liv- health care professionals. ing well with diabetes — and not have it While it may be easier to live with dia- control your life — is a network of family, DIABETES betes today than in the past, it is never friends, and health care professionals to easy. Diabetes produces high blood sug- support you. That network includes as- ar that can damage organs, blood ves- sociations and patient groups, which of- sels, and nerves — contributing to 30 fer education and resources to everyone percent of strokes, 40 percent of heart involved in the fight against diabetes. attacks, 50 percent of kidney failure requir- ing dialysis, 70 percent “Every person living with Garber views his diabetes diagnosis as a learning experience. Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW/ of non-traumatic leg diabetes — whether Type 1, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and foot amputations, as well as being a leading Type 2, or gestational — cause of blindness. Every person living has a different journey.” anadian actor Victor Garber was Managing Type 1 with long, Diabetes diagnosis is an with diabetes — wheth- just 12 years old when he was diag- irregular days on set “Type 1 diabetes is opportunity to grow er Type 1, Type 2, or gestational — has This fall, an online two-minute Type 2 nosed with Type 1 diabetes. “I was Garber’s accomplishments are notable: three not who I am — it’s For those who know or love someone with a different journey, but all share the diabetes risk questionnaire is also avail- sort of intrigued by the whole idea Emmy Award nominations for his role in the ABC Type 1 diabetes, Garber encourages them to need to eat a healthy diet and be phys- able at www.diabetestest.ca. of giving myself shots,” Garber action series Alias, prominent roles in films like something that I’m become educated on the condition. Talk about ically active. Many share the challenge This fight is becoming ever more remembers. “I wasn’t so much Titanic and Argo, and a successful stage career it or learn about the illness through websites of testing their blood sugars, taking important as another Canadian is frightened by it as curious as to how that was that has earned him four Tony Award nomina- living with.” and support groups. While a Type 1 diagnosis medications — potentially including diagnosed with diabetes every three going to work.” tions. Garber is currently starring as Dr. Martin at a young age can be difficult for a patient’s insulin, and monitoring their health minutes, adding to the 11 million al- Dependent on regular blood tests and Stein in the DC Comics series Legends of Tomor- periencing low blood sugar, remedied with a loved ones, Garber looks at the bright side for the first signs of the impacts of dia- ready living with diabetes or predia- injections to deliver the insulin his body could row, where long and unpredictable days on set fast-acting source of carbohydrates like juice of things. “Especially for parents and for betes on their bodies. betes. November is Diabetes Awareness no longer produce, Garber describes how the would challenge any diabetes management rou- or candy. “When I was doing Alias, Jennifer grandparents, you can see this as an opportun- The medications, devices, and treat- Month, and World Diabetes Day falls on diagnosis of a life-long condition affected not tine. “My hours are completely irregular because Garner would know immediately,” Garber ex- ity to grow,” says Garber. “You learn more about ments continue to improve — including the 14th — the birthday of Sir Frederick only his life but those around him. “I think it I work in television at the moment,” Garber explains. “She would say ‘Get him some orange your body. You take better care of yourself. There Canadian-led advances coming from re- Banting. These reminders give us a was almost harder for my mother than me,” plains. But with the help of a continuous glucose juice now.’” He encourages those with Type are a lot of positive things that can come out of search funded by the Canadian Diabetes chance to make this invisible epidem- he recalls. But Garber learned how to monitor and a continuous insulin delivery sys- 1 diabetes to talk about their condition with these diagnoses.” Association (CDA). Innovations are on- ic visible so we can end its health com- manage the disease, showing his par- tem, he keeps his blood sugar levels stable and friends, family, and coworkers so they recog- coming, including blood sugar monitor- plication and stigma, and through re- ents — and himself — there was life can concentrate on demanding scenes. nize the symptoms of unstable blood sugar and Andrea Yu ing that does not involve finger pricking, search, end diabetes altogether. beyond the diagnosis. “Type 1 dia- Garber is honest about how his diabetes can help give reminders to test blood sugar lev- and an artificial pancreas that reacts to betes is not who I am — it’s something management sometimes involves the help of els. “Be open about it so that it’s not so mysteri- blood sugar levels in real-time. Rick Blickstead that I’m living with.” those around him — especially when he’s ex- ous and you’re not a pariah.”

Publisher: Melissa Hartman Business Developer: Jacob Weingarten Managing Director: Martin Kocandrle Production Director: Carlo Ammendolia Photo credits: All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. Send all inquiries to [email protected]. Lead Designer: Matthew Senra Account Manager: Ryan Shepherd Designer: Oana Cazan This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve Maclean’s Magazine or its editorial departments. PERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CA A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET

Max Domi encourages youngsters to take every step necessary to manage their diabetes. Photo: Ascensia Diabetes Care max domi’s Success Depends on Accuracy

hen Max Domi He checks his level using a he describes it as feeling “loopy” ing him functioning at his best. steps out of the CONTOUR® NEXT blood glucose — and when it climbs too high “They work with my diabetic dressing room monitor and adjusts his insu- his energy fades; he gets as tired specialist to ensure everyone is after a game, lin through a pump upwards of after 30-seconds on the ice as he on the same page in terms of my fans surround six times a day, including before normally does after 15-minutes treatment,” he says. “It’s great him. The ris- and after meals and even when of wind sprints. to have them working together. ing professional ice hockey star al- he’s competing. High blood sugar tends to affect They all help me to stay in control ways takes the time to exchange a During a typical 60-minute his game in other ways, too. “I’m and focus on my passion.” few words and sign autographs. game, Domi checks his blood sug- not the kind of player who takes Every person with diabetes Once in a while, Domi comes ar level during and after each of the a lot of penalties, but when my needs a support network to across youngsters who, like him, three periods, adjusting his insulin blood sugar spikes I can be irrit- thrive, says Domi. Some support have Type 1 diabetes, a disease in as necessary. able,” he says, admitting to the networks extend further than which the blood sugar can soar most. Domi’s includes a service to dangerous highs and lows be- dog named Orion. When Domi’s cause the pancreas is unable to “Control your diabetes. blood sugar drops, the golden lab produce insulin to regulate it. He picks up the scent and lets his spends a few extra minutes with Don’t let your diabetes owner know by grabbing a chew those kids and always delivers the toy that Domi wears on his belt. same message: “Control your dia- control you.” The protocol is different when betes. Don’t let your diabetes con- he is asleep. “Orion will jump trol you.” Domi, 21, sometimes makes chan- occasional slash across an oppon- on my bed and lick my face,” he Domi practices what he preach- ges to accommodate the demands of ent’s leg. “I sometimes snap at ref- says with a laugh. “What a way es. Since he was diagnosed with his job. For example, Domi’s regi- erees and linesmen. But I always to wake up!” diabetes nine years ago, he has men is different when the team apologize. I never use my diabetes He encourages everyone living taken every step necessary to is on the road, because he’s eat- as an excuse.” with diabetes to embrace the de- manage the disease and follow ing and sleeping at varying times. mands of managing the disease. his dreams. “When you get to this Professional hockey players often Team mentality: “Everyone faces adversity. I do level of competition, you need travel through several time zones depend on support have more challenges to face, but to use everything in your tool- on a single road trip. While game officials may not my support team helps me take box to set yourself up for success,” understand the role the dis- my diabetes management to the he says. Never use blood ease plays in Domi’s behaviour, next level,” he says. “I always Food, exercise, stress, illness, sugar as an excuse his family members, friends and say to young people, ‘Go out and hormones, and other factors con- Domi has to be vigilant because teammates do, and they have al- pursue your goals. Achieve your tribute to fluctuations in blood when he’s “out of range” he’s not ways been supportive. They are dreams. Don’t let anything get sugar levels, so Domi, one of the at his best. When his blood sug- his other team. in your way. Be remarkable.’” top scorers on his team, must con- ar drops too low he’s not as men- Domi’s coaches and trainers al- stantly monitor and regulate it. tally sharp as he needs to be — so play an important role in keep- Randi Druzin T:7.875”

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Insulin Pump Technology Gives Greater Freedom and Flexibility

Smart, personalized care adapts gathered via pump and CGM can be uploaded to to individuals a website,” she says. “Together, clients and I can “The main advantage of the pump is its flex- see the information and advice can be provided lmost three million Canadians ibility,” explains Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret. “A pa- based on this data over the phone.” have been diagnosed with dia- tient can fine tune the amount of insulin The results can be life-changing. “It’s a betes. By 2020 this number is es- every half hour, if need be. You can’t do that more normal way to live,” Richardson ex- timated to reach 4.2 million, ac- with injections.” plains. “You don’t have to plan for things cording to the Canadian Dia- Through a catheter placed under the skin, hours ahead of time. You can be in the mo- Abetes Association. While there is no cure to date, an insulin pump administers insulin doses ment and adjust how much insulin is given diabetes is a condition that can be managed. 24-hours a day. In conjunction with CGM, risks through the pump according to your day.” associated with low blood sugar can be reduced. Technology to benefit those with Type 1 As a safety measure, some pumps can Flexible treatment suits patients’ lives More than 300,000 Canadians have Type 1 dia- automatically stop the flow of insulin should Dessi Zaharieva, a 27-year-old PhD candidate betes. “Although there is no national data avail- blood glucose drop below a pre-set level — even at York University, was diagnosed with Type able, the number of patients benefiting from when the wearer is asleep. The insulin pump 1 diabetes at the age of 7. At 13, she switched insulin pump technology is far below expect- allows those with diabetes to match their to the insulin pump. “Life isn’t always struc- ations,” says Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, an Endo- insulin intake to their lifestyle — not the other tured,” she says. “You may end up going out to crinologist and Associate Professor at l’Institut way around. eat or playing sports with friends when you de recherches cliniques de Montréal. hadn’t necessarily planned for it. The insu- “There are many reasons for this, from lack CGM data provides personalized lin pump allows for fine tuning in ways injec- of awareness of pump technology to misplaced insights for better care tions don’t.” fears and misconceptions. Cost also represents a “The pump and CGM are good partners,” says Zaharieva loves sports, from taekwondo to significant barrier. However, the vast majority Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret. “Repeated glucose values snowboarding. She doesn’t allow diabetes to of patients who switch from multiple daily in- are recorded at five-minute intervals, provid- prevent her from doing what she loves. The jections to an insulin pump will stay with this ing a more complete picture of what’s hap- irony is that she didn’t want to wear an insulin option and not switch back.” pening with a patient. You get a tremendous pump at first. Some patients couple pump technology amount of information.” “I told my parents, ‘I feel like a walking hos- with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). That bounty of information is helpful also to pital,’” she recalls. “But, once I got over the fear The combination — which delivers insulin health care providers, like Christine Richardson, and worry of having something connected throughout the day and measures real-time glu- a certified diabetes educator at the Children’s to me 24/7, I made the switch. And I couldn’t cose levels — is a blessing to many. Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. “Data be happier.”

Michele Sponagle

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1. Bergenstal RM, Tamborlane WV, Ahmann A, et al. Effectiveness of sensor-augmented insulin-pump therapy in type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(4):311-320 1.866.444.4649 medtronicdiabetes.ca/learnmore FEATURE SUPPORTED BY BAYER

have a profound impact on both an individual’s quality of life and their ability to work.” Clearly, now is the time for those with diabetes, their families, and health care profession- vision als to take action — but how? One important step is to have more discussions about vision loss. Findings within the DR Barometer Study esti- mate one quarter of people with diabetes are not talking about potential eye complications with loss their health care providers. Despite the fact that the risk of vision loss is twice as high as other diabetes complications, such as stroke and cardio- DUE TO vascular disease, it is not always addressed. DIABETES Good news on prevention “DR and DME can be successfully managed ON THE RISE with the right screening and treatment,” says Mr. Ackland. “However, many people with diabetes are being placed at unnecessary risk of vision loss due to barriers within the referral sys- orldwide, the prevention cerns about the critical need for clear patient tem and patient care pathway.” of unnecessary vision loss care pathways and responsive health systems The other critical part of the prevention pic- associated with diabetes to address preventable vision loss. ture is linked to issues with health care systems. has a particular urgency In Canada alone, 11 million people are current- Globally, there is a worrying lack of guidelines surrounding it. The risk ly living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to for health care professionals. The DR Barometer of blindness due to un- a recent update to The Diabetes Charter for Canada, Study reveals 50 percent of providers surveyed treated diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabet- created by the Canadian Diabetes Associations. did not have written protocols for the detec- ic macular edema (DME) is serious. With DR According to Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary Gen- tion and management of diabetes-related vision alone, approximately one in three adults with eral, International Federation on Ageing, “We issues. With late diagnosis cited as the greatest diabetes is affected by the condition — a stag- are currently experiencing one of the most im- barrier to improving outcomes for those with gering 93 million people worldwide. portant demographic upheavals of our time in the disease, this finding is especially concerning. Sobering facts like these inspired this year’s terms of our global population aging, and the Individuals and communities should not be theme for World Diabetes Day (November 14). impact of non-communicable diseases such as complacent while vision loss due to diabetes “The theme ‘Eyes on Diabetes,’ reflects how diabetes is rising at a rapid rate.” threatens quality of life. Talk to your health critical we believe the role of eye health to be care professional and get the facts about early within diabetes management,” says Dr. David The high cost of vision loss detection and treatment options before sight Cavan, MD, Director of Policy & Programmes, Vision loss touches lives on a personal, social problems occur. International Diabetes Federation. and economic basis, causing increased rates of unemployment, divorce, and clinical depres- For more information on the DR Barometer Report Global DR Barometer Report sheds sion. As Peter Ackland, Chief Executive Officer and its findings, which will soon include Canada- light on preventable vision loss of the International Agency for the Prevention specific data, please visit drbarometer.com. More findings are contained in the DR Barom- of Blindness (IAPB), explains: “Diabetic retinop- To learn more about advocating for options in eter Report, a landmark study of nearly 7,000 athy is a leading cause of blindness in the work- eye health, visit eye-see-you.ca adults with diabetes and health care profes- ing-age population of most developed countries, sionals from 41 countries. It raises serious con- and the sight loss caused by this condition can Michele Sponagle

The growing crisis of vision loss can be prevented.

Learn more at eye-see-you.ca WEBSITEURLHERE.CAPERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CA A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET Because HOW NEW CLOUD TECH there is IS CHANGING THE FACE OF DIABETES MANAGEMENT so much to reveal

Over the course of the last century, diabetes has been transformed from a death sentence to a chronic but more manageable condition, and technology has played a large role in that transformation. The OneTouch Verio FlexTM meter and OneTouch Reveal® mobile app hundred years ago, there was no effective treatment for “Now, the reading can go straight from the blood glucose meter to your make testing more meaningful.* diabetes. It was in the 1920s that the great Canadians cellphone through the OneTouch Reveal app on your smartphone or Banting and Best first isolated insulin. Fifty years ago, tablet into cloud storage and directly to the health care provider. It’s a ™ there was no real way for people with diabetes to mon- seamless experience for the patient and their physician or pharmacist, The OneTouch Verio Flex meter features TM itor their glucose levels at home. The first home glucose from the prick of the finger to the health care provider’s computer.” ColourSure technology that makes it Ameters didn’t arrive on the market until the late 1960s, and compact This is a massive change from the days when people living with easy to know when to take action to help easy-to-use models became prevalent only in the 1980s. Now, with the diabetes had to eyeball the colour of test strips against a chart and avoid highs and lows.† And with optional advent of Internet-connected blood glucose meters and their attend- take meticulous records in a handwritten log book. “With these new ® ant software, the management of this chronic disease is undergoing meters, you don’t have to write anything down,” says Hosiassohn. connectivity to the OneTouch Reveal another change perhaps just as big. “It’s all electronically stored. It’s right there on your meter or your mobile app, you can easily review your Philip Hosiassohn has been a practicing pharmacist for 35 years, cellphone, you can print out all kinds of reports, and it all can be sent results and make testing more meaningful* first in South Africa and now at Rexall in Hamilton, Ontario. He has directly to the physician or pharmacist.” been helping people manage their Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes for his in the moment, on the go and over time. entire career and, himself father to a son with diabetes, has a very personal interest in the disease and the technology that can help manage it. Most importantly, he believes The better the technology gets, the easier strongly that, despite the many challenges of living we can make that process for people who are * Compared to a meter without a colour range indicator and a paper logbook with diabetes, people with the condition do in fact † Based on a study conducted in 2015 in the UK of 40 patients with Type 2 Diabetes using a simulated model of the OneTouch Verio Flex™ meter coming to terms with a diabetes diagnosis. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by LifeScan Scotland Ltd. is under have the tools to take control of their health. license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. © 2016 LifeScan Canada. All rights reserved. NACO/VFX/1016/0435

Putting your health in drive That convenience not only makes life easier for those living with “I like to describe the difference between someone who has diabetes and diabetes, it greatly helps the healthcare provider as well. “With accur- someone who doesn’t as like the difference between a standard and an ate information we can make much earlier and better-informed inter- Living with diabetes? automatic car,” says Hosiassohn. “If you have diabetes, you have to take ventions,” says Hosiassohn. “By using this data to guide our patients manual control of some aspects of your health. But it is controllable.” in improving their A1C (three month blood glucose value), we can also Take this coupon to your pharmacist today to get your Of course, learning to drive stick is a bumpy process. The better the largely improve the morbidity factors and outcomes of diabetes, from technology gets, the easier we can make that process for people who are cardiovascular health to eyesight.” ‡ coming to terms with a diabetes diagnosis. “When someone gets a diagnosis of diabetes, it can be a major shock,” acknowledges Hosiassohn. Putting the patient in the driver’s seat OneTouch Verio Flex™ meter “It brings lifestyle changes, medication changes; it’s a lot to digest. Any- From Hosiassohn’s perspective, the most remarkable thing about these with purchase of 100 OneTouch Verio® test strips thing we can do to make that transition simpler is a very good thing.” advances in diabetes monitoring technology is the way they are putting FREE And making the process as simple as possible is of paramount im- the power to manage this condition in the hands of those who live with portance. Patient compliance with testing and getting access to ac- it. “The key thing is to have the patients taking control of their own fate. Offer expires March 31, 2017. curate glucose data has long been a challenge for healthcare providers With health care providers looking in through the window provided by ‡ This coupon entitles the bearer to one (1) FREE OneTouch Verio FlexTM meter with the purchase of 100 OneTouch Verio® test strips. Limit one coupon per person. treating diabetes. this technology, we can enable them to better do that. It really is an en- Not valid for existing OneTouch Verio FlexTM meter users, or in combination with other rebates, cards, coupons, or special offers from LifeScan Canada, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. Valid for end-user use only. Institutions and resellers are not eligible. Good only in Canada and void where prohibited, restricted, or taxed abler. It empowers the patient to improve their quality of life.” by law. Coupon has no cash value. Offer expires March 31, 2017. For more information, please call toll-free at 1 888 534-9991. The manual transmission car just got a major upgrade And that, the empowerment of people with diabetes to live their TO THE DEALER: Attach this coupon to the completed customer warranty card and submit through the redemption method approved by LifeScan Canada, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. (“LifeScan”) or speak to your LifeScan Representative. LifeScan will reimburse your cost to a maximum of $34.99 for the OneTouch The newest blood glucose meters, like the OneTouch Verio Flex and its best life on their own terms, is the goal that the community has been Verio FlexTM meter. Reimbursement will only be made to retail distributors of our merchandise. Other chasing since well before Banting and Best. applications may constitute fraud. Invoices showing purchase of sufficient stock (in the previous associated smartphone app, are bridging that gap between patients and 90 days) to cover all coupons submitted must be presented on request. Failure to do so will, at our their diabetes care team. “The first device I used that marketed this in- option, void those coupons. Coupons submitted become the property of LifeScan. tegrated Bluetooth technology was from OneTouch,” says Hosiassohn. D.F. McCourt All trademarks are used under licence by LifeScan Canada. © 2016 LifeScan Canada. All rights reserved. NACO/VFX/1016/0435

vx160444_03E_OTVFR_MacleansPrintAd_7-875x10-5_NACO-VFX-1016-0435.indd 1 2016-10-27 4:02 PM PERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CA A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET

The Most Significant Advance in Diabetes Care Since Insulin CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING OFFERS FREEDOM, PEACE OF MIND

ack Poisson was always me peace of mind. And Jack loves The encounter in- a happy and healthy kid, that we’re more open to the idea of spired Jack, normally a shy but in May 2013 his life sleepovers now!” child, to give a presentation was turned upside down “I believe CGM is the single most on diabetes in front of his entire by a Type 1 diabetes diag- significant advance in diabetes school and to start fundraising for nosis.J Now new technology is al- care since the discovery of insulin,” the cause. He even forwent birth- lowing him to live his life to the says Dr. Angelo Simone, Paediatric day gifts in favour of donations. fullest − and is giving his parents Endocrinologist at Trillium Health Later that year, he and his par- great peace of mind. Partners and Assistant Professor ents flew out to Vancouver to sur- Jack is a healthy, active 13-year- of Paediatrics at the Uni- prise Sébastien and the pair tions. And iOS compatibility means old who lives with his sister, An- versity of Toronto. ran the last leg of Sas- that users can not only view re- nie, and their parents, Alissa and “CGM technol- seville’s trans-Canada al-time glucose data and trends on Ken, in Windsor, ON. He loves play- ogy provides not journey together. their devices − but share that data, ing hockey and soccer, and spends only a real-time “To run those including trends and alarms, with his free time skateboarding with snapshot of last steps with Jack parents and loved ones. For the friends. The Type 1 diabetes diagno- glucose levels was just pure bliss,” Poissons, this means Jack’s par- sis was incredibly difficult for Jack but more im- says the athlete. ents can know whether his lev- and his family. portantly trend Sasseville al- els are where they should be, even Jack and his parents began mon- information on so uses a CGM de- while Jack is away at camp or at itoring Jack’s blood glucose lev- where glucose vice and says it was a sleepover. els several times a day by using a levels are headed. the most important CGM is a powerful technology blood glucose meter. This enabled This allows the abil- tool he had during his run that is allowing people like Jack them to track and control his lev- ity to predict and prevent across Canada. and Sébastien to live their lives to els but offered incomplete data. both hypoglycemia and hyper- “Numerous clinical trials have the fullest. A year passed before the Poissons glycemia before they occur− demonstrated the ability of CGM learned about a new kind of tech- with a high degree of accuracy technology to decrease the risk of “I believe CGM is nology that monitors glucose lev- and reliability.” hypoglycemia in all age groups,” the single most els in real-time and offers trend in- says Dr. Simone. CGM technology significant advance formation on where glucose levels An inspirational encounter can be used by both Type 1 and are heading. In 2014, Jack met endurance ath- Type 2 diabetics, and integrates in diabetes care lete Sébastien Sasseville, who also with whatever method of insulin since the discovery Can be a safety net for those lives with Type 1 diabetes. Despite therapy the patient uses. of insulin.” living with Type 1 diabetes his condition, Sasseville has com- He adds that the technology has Continuous glucose monitoring pleted six Ironman Triathlons, run come a long way since early mod- Jack continues to play sports (CGM) is a small wearable device the Sahara Race, climbed Mount els were first made available in and, inspired by Sasseville’s that tracks glucose levels 24-hours Everest, and, most recently, ran Canada. In fact, the world’s first achievements, the 13-year-old is a day, alerting the patient when across Canada from east to west iOS-compatible CGM system will contemplating running across On- their blood sugars begin to trend − a 7,200 kilometre journey, the come to Canada in January 2017 − tario to raise awareness of Type high or low. equivalent of 170 marathons. the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM. 1 diabetes. As for Jack’s parents, “It’s a huge safety net for me as Sasseville undertook his epic The gold standard for accuracy, Alissa and Ken can finally have a a mom,” says Alissa. “We used to be journey to highlight what people the Dexcom G5 is also Canada’s full night’s sleep knowing Jack is kept up at night, worrying that Jack with diabetes can achieve. Jack and first CGM to be approved for use in in good health and able to chase could die in his sleep going low. But Sébastien met during the Ontarian place of blood glucose fingersticks his dreams. now there’s an alarm that gives leg of Sasseville’s journey. for dosing insulin in most situa- Bronwen Keyes-Bevan

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