Canada Honors Type 1 Diabetes Volunteers in 2025 Awards

When parents across Canada joined forces decades ago to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes, they planted seeds that would grow into a nationwide volunteer movement. This April, Breakthrough T1D Canada honored those who nurture that mission with their 2025 Volunteer Awards.

The timing couldn't be better. National Volunteer Week runs April 19 to 25, but 2026 marks something bigger: International Volunteer Year, a once-in-a-generation celebration of civic participation across Canada.

Matt Varey took home the Peter Oliver Award for Volunteer Impact, the organization's highest honor. Lana Gilead earned National Volunteer of the Year, while the Walk Committee in Kingston won National Committee of the Year for their grassroots organizing.

Emily Gervais received National Advocate of the Year for amplifying T1D awareness. The comedians of Humour Me proved laughter heals, winning National Fundraising Volunteer of the Year by turning comedy into dollars for diabetes research.

Corporate partners stepped up too. Tandet Group earned National Corporate Partner of the Year, while Atlantic Packaging and Pete Richard of Domino's won Business Partner awards for their regional impact.

Kim Cooper claimed National Rookie Volunteer of the Year, proving new volunteers make waves immediately. Five community champions received Local Impact awards: Caitlyn Barrett, Silvana Raviele, Haley Moat-Maskaluke, Sara Price, and Lori Todd.

Young advocate Zainab Z. won Ambassador of the Year, showing the next generation is ready to carry the torch.

The Ripple Effect

These volunteers represent something profound happening across Canada. They're not waiting for someone else to solve problems. They're organizing walks, sharing stories, raising funds, and building communities around shared hope.

Breakthrough T1D Canada's foundation lies in parent volunteers who refused to accept the status quo. Today's award winners continue that legacy, channeling their personal connections to T1D into collective action that funds research and supports families navigating diagnosis.

Their work creates ripples far beyond fundraising totals. Every walk organized brings isolated families into community. Every advocacy effort moves research closer to cures. Every corporate partnership proves businesses care about the communities they serve.

The Ignite Volunteerism campaign asks Canadians to reconnect through service, and these winners show what's possible when compassion meets commitment.

One volunteer at a time, they're building a stronger, more connected Canada while chasing a world without type 1 diabetes.