1. 1. Talk about my life with T1 Diabetes 2. Talk about my transplants 3. Pictures! I would hope you can see an example of someone real that research dollars has helped Sense of hope that a cure will one day come.

2. If anyone would like to self-identify as a Diabetes Caregiver raise an arm Person with T1 diabetes raise an arm Person with T2 diabetes raise an arm Someone who loves someone else with diabetes stand up! 3. Born October 26, 1971 in Edmonton AB Diagnosis on March 3, 1983 thats 10,119 days ago. Symptoms Adjustment process Brittle A word about numbers 4. Complications Fairly non- compliant Many years of little to no testing Young and invincible 5. ED Neuropathy Retinopathy Gastro Issues Mental Health! All leading up to thoughts of the transplant program 6. or how I became (more) compliant in 5 not so easy steps I was motivated Found the right doctor I had the right team I wanted to see my friends/families kids grow up Scared 7. Typical Glucose Values Pre Transplant 8. August 2003 Applied to Edmonton Islet Transplant Program April 20, 2004, - Started intensive testing September 2004 Accepted into program July 12, 2005 ITX#1 November 2005 Weaned off insulin 9. I get the call, my wife gets the camera. 10. Not plastic surgery! 11. there are many of us who are living proof 12. One arm was for in, and the other was for out 13. On the way. 14. The radiology suite 15. The fluoroscope image My liver, portal vein and catheter can all be seen clearly 16. Catheter Portal Vein My Spine!! My Liver 17. 343,620 islets are in the bag 18. The islets are starting their descent into my liver, even now I can manage a smile 19. The hole is plugged 20. After The islets are working immediately after transplantation!! 21. The Results Sugars Before TX HgbA1C = 12.7 (17.6 mmol/L) Sugars After TX HgbA1C = 5.5 (6.2 mmol/L) 22. More Results HbA1C Ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 since my transplants! Blood Glucose Ranges from 4.5 to 6.0 most pre-meals May spike up to 12.4 two hrs after a high carb meal But within 30 minutes back to the 6s Only 5 low blood sugars in 5 years Clinic Testing All post-transplant tests that have been done prove that my islets are functioning just fine 23. Tristans Mom - A cure would mean a safer, healthier life for him. No more tears at site change, no more sleepless nights, no more frightening lows. More freedom, more spontaneity. With a cure Tristan would have the chance at a normal childhood where he could share his food with his friends, he would be the same as his brother. The idea of a sleepover at a friends house didnt send me in a panic attack. A cure would be the greatest gift that our family has ever received. What would a cure for diabetes mean for me? I am 39, and have had T1 diabetes for almost 28 years. I have had the good fortune to have had an islet transplant, and as such maybe approach this question from a slightly different angle then most people. I have already directly benefited from ground breaking diabetes research. First of all I would like to thank you. Because of people like you, the research that eventually became the Edmonton Protocol was supported, and has helped people just like me, who have struggled with Diabetes. Can you imagine how you will feel, knowing that you have contributed to The Cure? A cure for me means not seeing any more kids on a pump. It would mean no more worries about my sister-in-law who has had diabetes for 21 years, since she was 3 years old. Seeing her throw away her box of diabetes supplies would be awesome. It would mean peace of mind for people with diabetes who are not fortunate enough to be born in a developed country, and struggle to even get insulin let alone proper medical care. A cure would mean the world to me. What would it mean to you? Tristan - almost 7 yrs old - It would make me really happy and we could throw away everything that I need (diabetes supplies). I wouldnt have any lows. It would make me happy not to have diabetes anymore because everybody that I know with diabetes would be cured and we would be able to celebrate. 24. We b : w w w. j a s o n t u r n e r. c a / b l o g Tw i t t e r : @ j a s o n _ t u r n e r E m a i l : j a s o n @ j a s o n t u r n e r. c a Yo u Tu b e : y o u t u b e . c o m / i s l e t 7 9