Alberta Diabetes Foundation

06/11/2026

June is globally recognized as Men's Health Month, Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and Stroke Awareness Month

It’s an important time to break the silence around topics that are often tough to talk about…especially the serious, complex complications that can come with diabetes 🔵

Managing diabetes is incredibly challenging, and its impact goes far beyond blood sugar. It can deeply affect a man's hormonal, urological, and mental well-being. From doubling the risk of low testosterone (which can trigger depression and severe fatigue) to nerve damage leading to ED up to 15 years earlier, these aren't just minor symptoms…they are serious signs from your body 🚨

Navigating these challenges is never easy, and no one should have to carry that burden in silence. If you or a man in your life is experiencing any of these health issues, these signs need to be discussed directly with a physician to get the proper support and medical guidance.

If you found this post useful, please share it! Breaking the stigma starts with a single share, and you never know who in your network might need to see this reminder today.

🔬Support the Fight! This Men's Health Month, you can make a direct impact. Support our "For the Ones Who Raised Us" 50/50 raffle to fund critical diabetes research and care initiatives.

🔗 Buy Tickets at https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/for-the-ones-who-raised-us-50/50

06/10/2026

Here is a sneak peek of our Executive Director, Lindsay Burnham, sharing how your incredible support is turning our vision from a promise into factual, life-changing work across Alberta.

From the lab bench to our community care initiatives, your investment is actively enriching lives every single day. You can watch Lindsay’s full, inspiring speech right now at the link below!

🔗 Innovations in Research Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJbnNVvGb8Y

Don't forget to check out the rest of our incredible guest speakers and brilliant researchers featured on our page, and keep your notifications on so you don’t miss our upcoming research updates and breakthrough stories 🔬🌱

06/08/2026

Our Classic Car for a Cure Lottery is still running, and your chance to drive home a stunning, beautifully restored 1965 Acadian Beaumont Custom Convertible is just a ticket away!

Every single ticket purchased fuels the fight against diabetes. 100% of the proceeds stay right here in Alberta, funding the world-class research, cutting-edge treatments, and vital care that patients and families rely on every day.

🏆 Get your lottery tickets before they're gone: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/classic-cure-for-a-cure-lottery-2025-26

To celebrate their massive 30th anniversary milestone, our incredible partners at Rock'n August are hosting a brand-new, high-velocity event: Rock’n the Racetracks!

The Alberta Diabetes Foundation team is thrilled to be participating, and we want YOU in the stands to share the high-speed thrill with us. Bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s pack the venue!

📅 Mark Your Calendars (June 12–13):

🏎️Friday, June 12 (6 PM – 10 PM): Head down to Century Mile Racetrack & Casino for a spectacular Show’n Shine, live horse racing, and great entertainment.

🏎️ Saturday, June 13 (8 AM – 9 PM): Feel the roar of the Quarter Mile at Rad Torque Drag Racing for an unforgettable spectator experience.

Come out for the cars, stay for the community, and stand alongside us as we drive change for diabetes research 🔬🔵

(Must be 18+ and a resident of Alberta to purchase lottery tickets. Please play responsibly. AGLC Licence #741009.)

06/02/2026

Great news! We’ve officially extended the nomination deadline for all categories until June 30th. The Hummingbirds Awards Gala is our moment to honour the incredible changemakers fighting diabetes...from groundbreaking researchers and dedicated organizations to the passionate individuals supporting the cause.

If you’re looking for inspiration on the kind of impact these awards celebrate, look no further than last year’s Emerging Researcher of the Year, Dr. Alice Carr.

After earning a PhD at the University of Exeter Medical School, Dr. Carr brought that expertise to the University of Alberta as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alberta Diabetes Institute.

Driven by innovation and passion, Dr. Carr’s research focuses on type 1 diabetes—specifically how we can better understand, track, and treat it. As a true connector of data, teams, and ideas, she works to make clinical trials run smarter and faster so new treatments can reach people sooner.

Collaborating closely with Alberta’s islet transplant team, Dr. Carr looks beyond just the clinical data to focus on how treatments can improve a patient’s everyday freedom, flexibility, and overall quality of life.

Today’s emerging researcher could be tomorrow’s leading scientist, and Dr. Alice Carr is proof of that promise.

But remember, the Hummingbirds Awards celebrate all corners of our community, including the outstanding organizations and everyday heroes supporting the fight against diabetes.

Do you know a researcher, organization, or individual shifting the landscape of diabetes care? Don't let their hard work go unnoticed 💙

👉 Submit your nominations across all categories on our website by June 30th:
https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/awards-criteria-2026

05/28/2026

Meet Olga S., one of our incredible volunteers at the Alberta Diabetes Foundation! 🌟

Kind, intelligent, and deeply passionate, Olga’s dedication truly shone through at our recent Hummingbirds Awards Gala. Throughout the evening, she helped our guests understand the profound impact of their donations—from funding groundbreaking diabetes research and supporting emerging researchers in Alberta, to investing in life-changing lab equipment and bringing vital help to vulnerable communities.

With the help of Olga and our dedicated volunteers, we were able to successfully share our message and mission with every guest!

But Olga’s brilliance doesn’t stop there. She is a Neuroscience Researcher across both UofC & UofA, the President of the Neuroscience Students Association at UofA, and is completing her BSc Honours in Neuroscience this year (Class of '26)! 🎓🧠

For Olga, the mission is also personal. She brings unmatched "Big sister energy" to supporting her younger sister, Yuliya, who lives with Type 1 diabetes. We recently shared some of our ADF stickers with Yuliya, a small token for a brave little one, and a reminder that community matters. We’re so honoured to be part of their journey. 💙

Inspired by Olga’s story? Learn how you can volunteer and support the diabetes landscape in Alberta at https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/volunteer-opportunities

05/22/2026

What an incredible evening at our Innovations in Research event! 🧬🔬

We are so grateful to every donor and supporter who joined us to explore the vital work happening right here in Alberta. Your presence and ongoing generosity are fundamentally changing how we understand diabetes, paving a bold new way forward in active research, care, and treatment.

An evening like this wouldn't be possible without exceptional leadership, and we want to extend a huge thank you to Jim Kanerva, Vice Chair of our Board of Directors, for sharing how our strategic vision is turning into real-world action. We also send our warm thanks to Brooke Rose, Director of Development, Advancement for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, for her wonderful insights on the power of collaborative community advancement.

We are equally indebted to the brilliant minds who brought the science to life for our guests. Thank you to Dr. Sue Tsai for masterfully breaking down the fascinating ways our immune systems and metabolisms interact, and to Dr. Mourad Ferdaoussi for sharing his vital work on cell survival and his inspiring commitment to bilingual research.

A special thank you goes to Dr. Jelena Kolic, who did a fantastic job on our research panel, connecting directly with the public and making complex science accessible to everyone.

Make sure to stay tuned to our social media pages for upcoming research updates, breakthrough stories, and more highlights from this special evening.

If you're feeling inspired to keep the momentum going, the Birdies for Kids program presented by AltaLink is now officially open! This is a phenomenal opportunity to double your donation and maximize your impact on diabetes research right here in Alberta.

Give today!
🔗 https://rogerscharityclassic.com/charities/albertadiabetesfoundation/

Photography: Jake Bradley

05/18/2026

Happy Victoria Day from the Alberta Diabetes Foundation! 🍁🇨🇦

Please note that we will be closed on May 18, 2026, and will reopen on May 19, 2026.

In the spirit of celebration, consider making a meaningful impact with a donation. Contribute through our Birdies for Kids program, where your donation will be doubled.

Click here to donate and make a difference today!

05/10/2026

Motherhood doesn’t always look like a Hallmark card. Sometimes it looks like a 3 a.m. blood sugar check, a high-risk pregnancy journey, or a heart that carries a beautiful memory instead of a hand to hold.

At the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, we see the invisible work, the constant math, and the fierce resilience of the women in our community. Whether you are managing your own health, caring for a child, or honoring a loved one, today we send our love to you.

This virtual bouquet is for you. 💙💐 Which one are you holding today? Let us know in the comments.

Read a Story of Resilience 🌱
For a closer look at the strength it takes to navigate motherhood and T1D, read "A Mother's Story: The Needles That Carried a Life" here: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/news-alberta-diabetes-foundation/a-mothers-story-the-needles-that-carried-a-life

Support Diabetes Research 🔬
Our "For The Ones Who Raised Us" 50/50 raffle celebrates every kind of family—from mothers and siblings to mentors—while supporting vital diabetes research and care.

Enter the raffle and show your support here: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/for-the-ones-who-raised-us-50/50

05/08/2026

Behind every person managing diabetes is a support system that helped them get there. Maybe it’s the mother who never missed a midnight check, the mentor who gave you confidence, or the sibling who always has a juice box ready.

Our "For The Ones Who Raised Us" 50/50 Draw celebrates those who shaped us, while funding the future of diabetes research, care, and treatment in Alberta.

It’s a win-win!You get a chance to win big, and our community gets one step closer to a cure.

🎟️ Enter to celebrate your hero here: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/for-the-ones-who-raised-us-50/50

Tickets start at only $10 – it’s a small price for a big impact!

05/02/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 The clock is ticking on Early Bird Draw #3! You have until MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (May 3rd) to get your tickets for a chance to win $5,000 CASH. 💸

By entering now, you’re not just chasing $5K—you’re also staying in the running for our Grand Prize: a stunning, restored 1965 Acadian Beaumont 🏎️💨

Every dollar stays right here in Alberta to support life-changing diabetes research, treatment, and care.

Get Your Tickets Now at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/adf-2025

🗓️ Cut-off: May 3, 2026
💰 Prize: $5,000 Cash
🎟️ Pricing: 1 for $50 | 3 for $100 (Best Value!)

Join thousands of community organizations - big and small - who raise more funds for their worthy causes with Rafflebox.