Alumni Symposium

In 2019, Diabetes Hope Foundation hosted our second Annual Alumni Symposium to provide sector-specific career development support for type 1 youth who are transitioning to life after college/university. The objective of the symposium was to prepare T1D youth and their families for life after university and transition into young adulthood.   A total of 158 parents, youth and speakers attended our inaugural event at the University of Toronto, Isabel Bader Theatre.  

Through our Alumni Symposium, we were able to provide post-secondary students with the tools and resources they need to facilitate a more successful transition into the labor market.  The curriculum for each speaking panel include a review of their respective professions, health rights and access for young people living with diabetes, tips for job search and transition to the labor market.

Our third Alumni Symposium was held on Sunday October 4th, 2020 at Victoria College in downtown Toronto. Our Symposium featured 8 speaking panels organized with into different areas that focused on life after college/university, (Health & Fitness, Travel, Various Career Paths, College/University 101, as well as a featured Parent Panel). This event also included networking opportunities for post-secondary students living with diabetes.

2020 Symposium Itinerary

Our Alumni Symposium opened with breakfast and a message from Diabetes Hope Foundation’s Chair, Barbara Pasternak. Additional guests included parents, sponsors and friends of the foundation.

Morning Sessions
Our first series of lifestyle & professional panels included the following:
Panel 1: Medical Sciences, Nursing, & Research (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Panel 2: Business & Communications (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Panel 3: Fitness & Nutrition (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Panel 4: College & University 101 (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)

Alumni Meet & Greet and Lunch
(12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)
Our 2020 Alumni Symposium included a type 1 professional Meet & Greet and Luncheon for all speakers to engage with the type 1 community and their families.

Afternoon Sessions
Our second series of lifestyle & professional panels included the following:
Panel 5: Travelling & Diabetes (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)
Panel 6: Computer Science & Engineering (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)
Panel 7: Social Work & Community (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)
Panel 8: Parents of Type 1 Youth (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)