Madam Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month and this week my wife Cailey and I met with Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as JDRF Canada, to discuss the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes. T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease that prevents the body from producing insulin. Cailey was diagnosed just after her first birthday. Over the years we have witnessed remarkable advancements in treatment. In our meeting, two youth advocates, Sophia and Bennett, shared the daily struggles of managing blood sugar and what a cure would mean for them. They also spoke about promising research under way, including cell therapy, a treatment that could offer insulin independence by replacing damaged cells.
Canada's own Frederick Banting and Charles Best revolutionized care for T1D by discovering insulin, saving millions of lives. Today, Canadian researchers are on the verge of another breakthrough, one that could change the future for the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who currently live with T1D. Insulin was discovered here in Canada, and I have no doubt that our brightest minds will continue to lead the way toward finding a cure. Thankfully, the future is hopeful for all those affected by type 1 diabetes.