Our Goal
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first successful injection of insulin in 1922, our goal is to raise $22 million by 2022 so that Canadian researchers can take the cure from laboratories in Canada to people with Diabetes around the world.
Dr. James Shapiro
Dr. James Shapiro and members of his research team in their lab at the University of Alberta. Dr. Shapiro and other top Canadian researchers are on the cusp of finding a practical cure for Diabetes.
DONATE NOWOur Story
HEADing to 2022 is a grass roots initiative focused on raising funds for Canadian researchers. We are partnered with, and a committee of, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Canada, Inc. (DRIFCan).
All funds raised through this initiative will go to Canadian researchers to help them find a practical cure for diabetes. For further information, contact us at headingto2022@gmail.com.
Health Matters: Possible cure for diabetes
Who is DRIFCan?
DRIFcan is the registered charity that is partnered with HEADing to 2022.
DRIFCan is dedicated to funding research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada (DRIFCan) was established in 2005 to fund the Edmonton Protocol. Dr. Shapiro and his team are located at the Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
We believe that donors supporting diabetes research want as much funding to go directly to cure based research. DRIFCan funds clinical and human trials with Dr. Shapiro and his team.
DRIFCan is a registered Canadian Charity BN: 832018279RR0001.
Canadian Connection
Canadian researchers have led the way for close to 100 years.
MAJOR ISSUE FACING RESEARCHERS: FUNDING SHORTFALL
"I believe I have a practical cure in a petri dish in my lab.
I need
significant funds to bring
this
cure to human testing."
- Dr. James Shapiro
Dr. Fredrick Banting & Charles Best

- 1921 - Discovery of Insulin
- 1922 - First person to receive insulin was a 14 year old boy near death in Toronto
- 1923 - Nobel Prize
This is our chance to help get them over the finish line.


Our Priorities
Minimal Administration Costs
Keep administration costs to a bare minimum with the goal of donating in excess of 95% raised directly to researchers.
Transparency
Transparency on what has been raised, administrative costs and what has been donated.
Accountability
Accountability so researchers must report progress and results on a regular basis so that donors know what is being done with their money.
Easy to Participate
Make it as easy as possible for the average Canadian to participate.
How can YOU influence history?
Individuals
Share with your family, friends and extended community. Click below to visit our social media accounts
Organizations
We want your organization to be an Ambassador for HEADing to 2022 by:
- Being part of our network
- Internally – ask employees/members to be interested and involved
- Externally – ask your extended community to be interested and involved
- Allowing us to use your logo/brand as part of our promotion
- Providing other help
Contact Us
For further information, contact us at headingto2022@gmail.com
What is Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
With type 1 Diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 Diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes
With type 2 Diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 Diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of Diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 is the most common type of Diabetes.
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Diabetes can lead to complications in many parts of the body and increase the risk of dying prematurely.

Annually people living with Diabetes account for:
- 30% of strokes
- 40% of heart attacks
- 50% of kidney failures requiring dialysis
- 70% of non-traumatic amputations
Life expectancy of a person with Diabetes is shortened by an average of 13 years.
DONATE NOWWho Does Diabetes Affect?

1 in 3 Canadians has Diabetes or Prediabetes
More than ½ of Canadians who are 20 years old today will develop Diabetes in their lifetime
The risk for Indigenous Canadians is 80% (Indigenous Canadians make up 4.3% of the total Canadian population)
DONATE NOWA Global Pandemic


1980
Estimated 30 million people with Diabetes
2020
Estimated 450 million people with Diabetes
The Cost of Diabetes

Cost to Canada’s Health Care System
2000 - $6.3 billion
2010 - $12.2 billion
2020 - estimated $27 billion
Employer costs for Employees Living with Diabetes
An average of $1,500.00 per year lost in productivity as well as an average of $1,500.00 per year in extra benefit plan costs.
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