Advancing Care, Transforming Lives:
Our Commitment to a Diabetes-Free Future
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
Pioneering Breakthroughs in Diabetes Research
The Alberta Diabetes Foundation (ADF) has been at the forefront of diabetes research since its inception. Our history began with funding the groundbreaking work of Dr. Ray Rajotte, whose pioneering efforts led to the first-ever islet cell transplant—a monumental breakthrough in diabetes research since the discovery of insulin.
This innovation, combined with an expanded team and an anti-rejection protocol, became known as the "Edmonton Protocol," now the international gold standard for islet-cell transplantation.
The Birth of the Edmonton Protocol
In 2000, the Edmonton Protocol was officially developed, marking a new era in diabetes treatment. ADF's commitment didn't stop there. We played a pivotal role in the capital campaign to establish the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation at the University of Alberta. Opening its doors in 2007, this world-class facility became home to the prestigious Alberta Diabetes Institute.
Ongoing Investment in World-Class Research
Since the opening of the Li Ka Shing Centre, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation has continued to invest in cutting-edge research for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Collaborating with some of the world's leading diabetes researchers based in Alberta, we strategically allocate funding to critical projects, ensuring that promising research is not hindered by financial constraints.
Our flexible funding approach allows us to support early-stage projects, filling gaps often left by traditional granting organizations.
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.