Local mother’s diabetes petition gains global support from Breakthrough T1D

A local advocate calling for mandatory life-saving diabetes training in schools has received a major boost from the world’s leading Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. Sydney Adams says the endorsement from Breakthrough T1D underscores the urgent need to modernize Canadian first aid standards to protect vulnerable residents.

Local resident Sydney Adams is calling for a systemic overhaul of Canadian first aid training to include the administration of Baqsimi, a needle-free nasal glucagon used during severe diabetic emergencies. Adams, whose daughter Farryn was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age three, says the current lack of preparedness in schools and public spaces puts lives at unnecessary risk.

The local initiative recently gained international momentum after being endorsed by Breakthrough T1D, the largest global non-profit dedicated to Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy. The organization has amplified the call for change on social media, aligning the petition with its national "Access For All" program which advocates for universal access to life-saving medications and technologies.

Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, unconsciousness, or death within minutes if not treated. While first aid programs currently include training for EpiPens and naloxone, they do not consistently teach the use of nasal glucagon, despite the device being designed for ease of use by those without medical experience.

The petition, which has already garnered more than 1,200 signatures, specifically targets the Canadian Red Cross and provincial decision-makers. Adams is advocating for legislation that would require every school to have at least one staff member trained in recognizing blood sugar emergencies and administering life-saving treatment.

Adams notes that children with diabetes spend the majority of their day at school, where their safety should be a baseline standard of care rather than a result of parental advocacy. The movement emphasizes that because the tools to save lives already exist, the failure to provide training represents an avoidable risk for vulnerable residents.

Local supporters can view and sign the petition here to join the call for modernized emergency standards. Adams says the growing support shows how many people believe this is a necessary step to protect both children and adults living with the condition in Sarnia-Lambton and across the country.