A Message From Our Executive Director

Our commitment to funding world-class diabetes research in Alberta is critical as over 11.7 million Canadians are affected by diabetes, with cases expected to rise by 42% in the next decade.

For 35 years, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation has rapidly funded research to drive breakthroughs, including islet cell transplantation and the Edmonton Protocol—achievements made possible by our incredible donors.

With your support, we can continue pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. Join us in supporting the researchers who believe a world without diabetes is within reach.

Lindsay Burnham

Executive Director, Alberta Diabetes Foundation

Our Mission

We strategically fund impactful research and serve as a conduit for prevention, treatment, care, and a cure.

Our Vision

Alberta Diabetes Foundation - Enriching lives, from care to cure

Our Funding Priorities

Guided by Purpose. Powered by Community.

Every dollar you contribute is directed with care and intention. At the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, we fund with focus—prioritizing initiatives that drive long-term change, improve lives, and move us closer to a cure. Our funding strategy is anchored in three core pillars:

  • We invest in innovative research and programs focused on improving treatments, preventing complications, and enhancing the quality of life for those living with diabetes.

    What We Fund:

    • Prevention-focused initiatives

    • Support for current Defeating Diabetes researchers

    • Islet and stem cell research

    • Education and outreach programs

  • We strive to address health disparities and improve outcomes for underrepresented communities by funding research and programs that increase accessibility and understanding.

    What We Fund:

    • Community outreach and education

    • Initiatives improving outcomes in underrepresented communities

    • Support for diverse community health efforts

    • Rural and underserved community research.

  • We are committed to building the next generation of diabetes researchers and creating an environment where innovation thrives.

    What We Fund:

    • Graduate studentships and PhD support

    • Recruitment and retention of top researchers

    • Research travel and presentation support

    • Tools and infrastructure for advanced research

Our flexible funding approach allows us to support early-stage projects, filling gaps often left by traditional granting organizations.

From a Bold Vision to a Lasting Legacy

The Alberta Diabetes Foundation was born out of one of the most significant medical breakthroughs in diabetes care…the Edmonton Protocol.

What started as a local effort to support innovative research has grown into a province-wide movement advancing diabetes treatment, care, and prevention.

Explore the full story of our founding and the people who made it possible!

The Alberta Diabetes Foundation acknowledges that we are on the traditional territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8, home to diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. We honor their connection to the land and commit to fostering respect, understanding, and reconciliation in all that we do.

Land Acknowledgment