Hon. Nancy J. Hartling: Honourable senators, November is Diabetes Awareness Month. As many of you know, this disease holds a special importance for me because my grandson has Type 1 diabetes. Some of you met my grandson, Max, when he came to visit me in the Senate this year with his parents, Marc and Jody, from British Columbia.

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Max is an enthusiastic 11-year-old who, along with his parents, has learned how to manage his condition. Mentors are especially important for kids with Type 1 diabetes, so it was a real pleasure for Max to meet with Tareq Winski, one of our former Senate pages, who also has Type 1. They had a very in-depth conversation about many aspects of living with Type 1 diabetes.

Tareq encouraged Max to attend D-Camps, a summer camp program specifically for kids with Type 1 diabetes. This motivated Max to attend D-Camps in Alberta this summer. There are many of these camps across our country. Max told me that it was the best experience since all the kids have Type 1 diabetes. He said, “Nannie, it was so much fun, and I didn’t think of my diabetes once!”

Diabetes doesn’t go away when you stop thinking about it. Although Max has learned to manage his condition, like for all his peers with diabetes, doing so can be a full-time job with no vacations, and a cure would be the greatest gift for kids like Max.

Colleagues, I’m so proud to say that Canada has always been a leader in diabetes research. From the development of insulin 100 years ago to stem cell treatments today, Canada has remained at the cutting edge of the search for a cure. We benefit from a robust health care system and world-class research institutions that attract the most talented scientists. In addition, organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF, have worked tirelessly to ensure that finding a cure remains a priority in Canada.

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I would like to invite you to a special event on Tuesday, November 7 at the National Arts Centre. It’s a screening of The Human Trial, a documentary produced by Ottawa filmmakers Lisa Hepner and Guy Mossman.

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The film explores a radical stem cell-based treatment for diabetics with the potential to completely transform the lives of people dependent on insulin. It’s a celebration of breakthrough science and the potential of public-private collaboration for health science research when consistent funding is made available.

The event is hosted by broadcaster Catherine Clark and will feature a panel of leading diabetes researchers. It will be moderated by André Picard, the health reporter and columnist from The Globe and Mail. I hope to see you there on November 7 at 6 p.m. During Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s work to make Type 1 type none. Thank you.