Donate to I Challenge Diabetes by clicking here!

Be sure to join one of our upcoming virtual Diabuddies Q&As. Open to everyone who has booked an Diabuddies School Presentation or anyone who is interested in inviting one of our speakers to your school.  Caregivers and school staff are welcome! Register to get your Zoom link.

October 12 8pm Eastern/6pm Mountain/5pm Pacific  REGISTER HERE

October 24 6pm Eastern/4pm Mountain/3pm Pacific REGISTER HERE

Diabuddies is an awareness campaign focused on ensuring that students with Type One Diabetes (T1D) are safe, empowered, and accepted within their school community. We have educated over 16,000 students and 800+ staff members about proper T1D management by going into over 60 schools across Canada!

I Challenge Diabetes’ Diabuddies school presentations are provided by passionate parents, T1D youth volunteers, and elite athlete speakers. These presentations offer education on T1D, breaking down misconceptions and empowering students and staff.

We want to increase awareness about T1D across Canada and showcase that even with a chronic disease, a healthy, successful life can be achieved with the right support.

FAQs

The Diabuddies presentation can truly be targeted at any age group, however most typically we present to groups from JK to grade 8.

Yes! We can present to the entire student body, or just the home room class – whatever works best for the school/student.

We generally cover the following topics in the presentations:

  • Speaker introduces themselves
  • How do you get T1D?
  • Differentiate between type 1 and type 2
  • The role of nutrition/carbs
  • How to test blood sugar
  • What is insulin & how to give it
  • How classmates can be supportive and helpful

Fill out a form by clicking HERE. A member of the ICD team will reach out to you to schedule a tour!

Diabuddies is now offered ONLINE!

I Challenge Diabetes is thrilled to be able to offer our diabuddies program, virtual-style!

Our Virtual Diabuddies Program delivers a 30-45 minute video call directly to classrooms anywhere across Canada. 

Featuring one of our experienced and inspiring speakers, our LIVE presentations are tailored to all ages, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.  Calls can be accessed by one or all classrooms in a school!

Our Diabuddy Speakers present strategies that helped them reach the top of their field in sport, business, academia, and the arts. Presentations illustrate a growth mindset and resilience as they explore the problem solving skills required to overcome life with a chronic illness. While providing fundamental education about diabetes, the stories broaden to reach all students and empower a community of inclusion.

Virtual Staff Presentations are also available over lunch or after school to ensure your team is well equipped to support T1  students in an optimal learning environment. 

showing monitors

Types of Diabuddies Services Offered

We are increasing awareness about T1D by school presentations provided by passionate parents, T1D youth volunteers and elite athlete speakers. These presentations offer education on T1D, breaking down misconceptions and empowering students and staff.

Having a Diabuddies speaker connects our leaders with the student body, offering an opportunity for the whole school (or a class) to learn about and be inspired by overcoming health challenges!

Discussion topics and speakers vary in every Family Workshop. In the very first Family Workshop, we had wonderful speakers including a Principal Helen Jarvis, who provided tips on advocating in school; Gabreilla Simo from Diabetes Canada, who provided an overview on the draft PPM 161; Dana Greenberg a T1D mom, who talked about the Roadmap to Independence  that she used for her child who recently was awarded the Governor General Award; and Elaine Wilson R.N from Trillium Health Partners, who provided guidance on how to create a plan for T1d kids in school. Discussion topics and speakers for the next workshop may vary and will be announced along with the workshop.

We understand that in order to provide a better learning environment, it is important for educators to learn about T1D. Under the Kids In School Initiative, ICD is proud to have provided education to teachers and instructors who teach T1D students. Our team of experienced professionals continue to provide a wide spectrum of education, from the basics of diabetes to training on the use of Glucagon!

Watch the full length video below to see even more about ICD’s Diabuddies campaign!

Thank you to our our amazing sponsors for supporting this program!

Resources for Parents, Teachers & School Administrators

 

Diabetes@School

Video Series

Diabetes Canada

Advocacy in School Tip Sheet

Ontario Ministry of Education

Guideline for Diabetes Management

Government of Alberta

Guideline for Diabetes Management

     
Stay tuned on Social Media and Subscribe to our E-Newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news from ICD and upcoming events!

CONTACT US | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS

©2023 I Challenge Diabetes. All rights reserved. Charitable Registration Number: 821102712RR0001

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?

Loading...