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Our Heritage
Charles Best, the co-discover of insulin, had a vision. Very early on he saw that the growing number of Canadians with diabetes were going to require an organization to serve their needs. In the late 1940s, the Diabetic Association of Ontario was formed.
As other provinces and territories started to form their own associations, it became clear that if the provincial branches combined their resources they could more effectively serve their membership. This culminated in the formation of the Canadian Diabetes Association in 1953.
The Canadian Diabetes Association is now a charitable organization that has grown over 50 years to include a presence in hundreds of communities across the country. The Association supports people living with diabetes through education, services, advocacy and research.
Across the country, the Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. We are supported in our efforts by a community-based network of volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals, researchers and partners. By providing education and services, advocating on behalf of people with diabetes, supporting research and translating research into practical applications, we are delivering on our mission.
Learn more about the Canadian Diabetes Association from our pamphlets: