About Us

About DHF

HEALTH, OPPORTUNITY, POWER & EXCELLENCE SINCE 1999

Diabetes Hope Foundation (DHF) is a grassroots not-for-profit organization founded by its current chair, Barbara Pasternak, in 1999 after two of her sons were diagnosed with diabetes. The foundation’s mission is to provide education and resources to help youth with diabetes transition to a healthier tomorrow.

Get Ready T1D… Let’s transition!

DHF specializes in developing unique and innovative programming for hard-to-reach teens and young adults living with diabetes.  We achieve our mission through a range of virtual programs and digital resources to empower youth with financial support, peer education and resources to transition successfully from pediatric to adult diabetes care.

With a rich history spanning more than 25 years, our programs have been developed in collaboration with a network of 53 pediatric diabetes clinics from across Canada and an alumni leadership base with 769 young adults with diabetes.

Together, we help post-secondary students pay for tuition and diabetes supplies, prepare youth for transition by matching at-risk teens with mentors in the community, publish free diabetes resources, and provide a forum for youth leaders to share their knowledge.

Support from our community partners, corporate sponsors, and families is critical to our ability to expand our services and respond to emerging community needs.  Your support strengthens the development of youth-led programming to empower youth to thrive beyond the clinic, classroom and diabetes.

OUR MISSION

Our programs provide education and resources to help youth with diabetes transition to a healthier tomorrow. Working closely with medical and healthcare professionals specializing in youth and diabetes across Canada, Diabetes Hope Foundation continues to respond to the changing needs of these youth by providing programs and support when and where they need it most.

OUR VISION

Since 1999, Diabetes Hope has worked in partnership with corporations, families and community partners to support over 4,000 families with diabetes across Canada. Through these partnerships, we prepare youth for transition to young adulthood by:
  • Providing financial support to help students with diabetes achieve their full potential;
  • Creating a network of peer support to promote greater social and emotional wellbeing;
  • Empowering youth with resources to transition more successfully; and
  • Encouraging youth leaders to Pay-It-Forward to build healthier communities.

Our Mission is achieved through the delivery of our core community health programs

To find out more about our programs, please contact us at info@diabeteshopefoundation.com.