Alberta Diabetes Foundation

04/08/2026

The Countdown to a Cure Starts TODAY! ⛳️

We are thrilled to announce that the Alberta Diabetes Foundation is officially back for another life-changing season of Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink!

From today until August 31, you have a unique opportunity to make your generosity go further. For every dollar you donate to ADF through the Birdies for Kids program, your gift will be matched by up to 50%! That means your support has an immediate, amplified impact on the fight against diabetes 🔵

When you give, 100% of your gift stays right here in Alberta...but where exactly does it go?

🔬 Breakthrough Research: We’re funding pioneers like Dr. James Shapiro (islet transplantation) and Dr. Jean Buteau (developing a pill to restore natural insulin production).

🌱 The Next Generation: We are currently supporting 8 brilliant students, ensuring that Alberta’s greatest scientific minds stay right here to solve the diabetes puzzle.

🩺 Direct Community Care: Our support extends to vital frontline programs like the Diabetes Mobile Clinic and the LINK program (Linking First Nations Diabetes Care).

These projects represent only a fraction of the work we fund! By donating through Birdies for Kids, you aren't just supporting a project; you are driving an entire province-wide movement toward a cure for diabetes.

🔗 https://rogerscharityclassic.com/charities/albertadiabetesfoundation/

04/03/2026

Wishing you a weekend of 'egg-cellent' readings and 'hoppy' trends! 🐣🌷🐰

Please note that our office will be closed from Friday, April 3, through Monday, April 6. We look forward to connecting with you again when we reopen on Tuesday, April 7. Have a safe and steady holiday!

Before you hop off for the break, consider commemorating this Easter with a gift! Through Birdies for Kids, every dollar you donate is matched up to 50%—meaning a $10 gift becomes $15 for vital diabetes research, treatments, and care in Alberta.

Donate Today at: https://rogerscharityclassic.com/charities/albertadiabetesfoundation/

03/30/2026

The Researcher of the Year Award honours a leader whose work has significantly advanced our understanding, treatment, or prevention of diabetes 🔵

Dr. Nidheesh Dadheech was selected for the Researcher of the Year Award 2025 at the Hummingbird Awards Gala, as he is at the forefront of one of the most promising areas in diabetes science—stem cell–based therapies 🔬🌱

He currently serves as the Senior Cell Therapy and Process Development Lead at the University of Alberta’s Human iPSC-Islet Program.

Over the past eight years, he’s played a key role in building a program focused on developing personalized treatments for diabetes. His work centres on creating insulin-producing cells from a person’s own blood… a breakthrough that could eliminate the need for donor transplants or lifelong medications.

In addition to leading this research, Dr. Dadheech plays a vital role in shaping strategy, securing funding, and building global partnerships. He is involved in everything from hands-on lab work to world-class innovation 🌎🧬

But what truly sets him apart is his leadership. Dr. Dadheech is known as a generous mentor, a thoughtful teacher, and a collaborative force in the lab… someone who lifts everyone around him.

If you feel inspired by this story and know someone who is making a remarkable contribution to the diabetes community—whether they are a dedicated researcher, a compassionate healthcare provider, a bold advocate, or an unsung hero living with diabetes themselves—we want to hear from you!

We are currently accepting nominations for the next Hummingbird Awards. Every nomination has the power to bring vital work to light and inspire others to join the fight for a cure 💙

🔗 Submit your nomination and learn more about the process at:
https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/awards-criteria-2026

Applications close: May 31, 2026

Award Sponsor 2025: Jeff Sterling | CEO Delnor Construction

03/30/2026

We are proud to partner with Will Power: Change the World with your Will to show everyday Canadians that they have the power to change the world. Many of us want to do more, but feel we don’t have enough to give right now.

By leaving a gift in your Will—even just 1% of your estate—you can make a game-changing contribution to diabetes research, treatment and care in Alberta. The best part? You still leave 99% to take care of your loved ones.

It’s a small percentage for you, but a world of difference for the future.

🔗 Learn how to include ADF in your Will: https://www.willpower.ca/charities/alberta-diabetes-foundation/

03/27/2026

The Classic Car for a Cure Lottery 2025-2026 is your chance to win big! Get your tickets early and you could walk away with a $5,000 cash prize before the main event even begins.

The best part? Every ticket you buy supports life-changing diabetes research, treatment, and care, and every dollar stays right here in Alberta.

📍 Cut-Off Date: May 3, 2026
📍 Draw Date: May 7, 2026

Get Your Tickets at: https://lnkd.in/eMHHiVtP

Early Bird winners are still in the running for the Grand Prize draw on August 4! 🏎️💨

03/26/2026

Currently, nearly 12 million Canadians are living with diabetes 🔵 or pre-diabetes—a figure projected to climb to 14 million by 2034.

🚨 In Alberta alone, we’ve seen a 58% increase in cases over the last decade.

At the Alberta Diabetes Foundation (ADF), we believe these statistics aren’t just data points; they are a call to action.

🔬 Why we do what we do:

Prevention is our most powerful tool in reversing this trend. By identifying risks early and understanding the metabolic triggers of the disease, we can stop diabetes before it starts.

This is why ADF prioritizes funding for groundbreaking research right here in Alberta...home to some of the world’s most significant breakthroughs, including the Edmonton Protocol.

🌎 Beyond the lab:

While our ultimate goal is a cure, we are equally committed to the "now." Our work bridges the gap between discovery and daily life by supporting:

🩺 Innovative Treatments: Rapidly funding projects that improve insulin delivery and glucose management.

💙 Enhanced Care: Empowering the next generation of specialists to provide world-class support for those currently living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Research is the only way to move from managing a condition to ending it. When you support ADF, you aren't just funding a lab; you’re funding a future where diabetes no longer dictates a person's quality of life.

Help Us Change the Future!

Research and care initiatives only stay alive through the strength of our community. There are many ways to join the movement:

✅ Donate: Your financial support directly funds the labs and care programs that are changing lives.
✅ Volunteer: Give your time to help us power our events and community outreach.
✅ Advocate: Follow our page and share our content to help us bring awareness to more families.
✅ Host an Event: Create your own fundraising initiative to rally your friends, family, or workplace for the cause.

Whether through a donation or a share, your involvement ensures that Alberta remains a global leader in diabetes research.

🔗 https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/

03/25/2026

Diabetes remains the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide 🔵

Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, preventing them from filtering waste properly. This damage often begins without any physical symptoms, making early detection essential.

📌 March is National Kidney Month. Help us bring awareness to this silent condition by sharing this post with your community.

03/19/2026

🤝 2026 Community Partner Announcement

We’re proud to recognize the Alberta Diabetes Foundation as a 2026 Community Partner for our upcoming conference.

The Alberta Diabetes Foundation plays a vital role in supporting diabetes research and innovation across the province. Through funding and advocacy, they help advance discoveries that improve the lives of people living with diabetes today and bring us closer to better treatments and a cure.

Their continued commitment to the diabetes community helps strengthen research, collaboration, and education throughout Alberta and beyond.

Thank you to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation for supporting our community and helping make this event possible. 💙

📅 Date: May 2, 2026
📍 Location: Chateau Louis Conference Centre, Edmonton
💵 Early bird pricing: $20/person
🎟 Tickets: https://kids-n-us.communibee.ca/2026-kids-n-us-families-facing-diabetes-conference

03/18/2026

From galas to golf tournaments, our 2026 event lineup is all about one thing: funding life-changing diabetes research right here in our province.

100% of the funds raised at these events stay in Alberta to support world-class breakthroughs 🔬🔵

Inspired to do more?
You don't have to wait for the next gala to make a difference. We’re looking for community champions to host their own "Third Party" fundraisers!

🔗 Register your own event at: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/host-a-fundraiser

03/09/2026

First premiered at the 2025 Hummingbird Awards Gala, "A Call to Care" brings together the voices that shape our community: the researchers, the individuals living with diabetes, and our dedicated supporters 🔬🔵

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej7vcM_owXM&t=6s

Through personal reflections, it highlights the daily realities of diabetes and the vital role that awareness and research play in moving us from care to cure.

Feeling inspired? We invite you to join us on November 13, 2026 at the iconic Blatchford Field Air Hangar (Fort Edmonton Park), for the 2026 Hummingbird Awards Gala. Tickets are officially on sale, and featuring a brand-new Casino Night Experience.

🎟️ Tickets & Info: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/the-hummingbird-awards-gala

Plus, nominations for our 2026 awards are now open, tell us who is making a difference in the diabetes community! Help us honor the people behind the progress.

🏆 Nominations: https://www.albertadiabetesfoundation.com/awards-criteria-2026

The Hummingbird Awards Gala brings together the voices that shape the diabetes community: researchers, individuals living with diabetes, and dedicated suppor...

03/08/2026

For International Women’s Day, we are reflecting on the incredible women who have paved the road for diabetes research and advocacy. Their courage and brilliance have changed the world for millions. We remember:

🔬 Rosalyn Yalow: The Nobel laureate who co-developed the radioimmunoassay, finally allowing us to measure insulin in the blood.

🔵 Eva Saxl: A survivor who, during WWII, famously made her own insulin in a basement to save over 200 people.

🔬 Gerty Cori: The first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Medicine for uncovering how our bodies metabolize sugar.

🔵 Dorothy Hodgkin: Who spent 35 years mapping the complex structure of insulin so we could finally mass-produce it.

That legacy of strength lives on right here in Alberta. Today, we gain progress through the work of leaders like Dr. Andrea Haqq, who is protecting the next generation through pediatric obesity research, and Dr. Jane Yardley, who is filling the gap in how exercise affects women living with T1D.

We celebrate how far we’ve come, but we recognize that we must keep advancing. The journey from care to cure isn't finished until it's finished for everyone.

To the women in the labs, the clinics, and those living the daily reality of diabetes: We see you. We thank you. We gain everything from your strength. 💙