Meet Our Patients
Below are real people, real stories – through each stage of the Islet Transplant
These stories are shared with the permission of the people featured and describe their personal experiences. They are provided for education and understanding, not as medical advice or recommendations for any individual. Everyone’s health, treatment options, and outcomes are different. Please discuss questions about your own care with your healthcare team.
Mary Anna
ITx 1999
Diagnosed at age 11, Mary-Anna has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 40 years. Following a series of islet transplants, she has maintained insulin independence since 2019. A retired educator with a background in science and mathematics, Mary-Anna is a proud mother who enjoys traveling. By sharing her journey, she aims to raise awareness of cell replacement therapies and encourage others in the T1D community.
Earl
ITx 2000
Earl has navigated life with type 1 diabetes for over five decades. In 2000, he became one of the first participants in the pioneering Edmonton Protocol, achieving 30 months of insulin independence after 30 years of daily management. Now retired from a career in business management, Earl reflects on his transplant as a life-changing milestone that provided invaluable memories with his family and continues to advocate for the power of innovation in diabetes care.
Jason
ITx 2005
Jason has lived with type 1 diabetes for many years and has been fortunate to participate in Edmonton's pioneering islet transplantation program. Over the past 21 years, he has received four islet transplants, spending more than half of that time insulin independent. Jason is passionate about sharing his lived experience to increase awareness of islet transplantation and the meaningful impact it can have on the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes.
Allyson
ITx 2011
With 24 years of life with type 1 diabetes, Allyson offers a unique perspective as a person living with T1D, a mother to two sons with the condition, and an islet transplant recipient. Since her third transplant, she has celebrated over 15 years of insulin independence. A professional engineer with a long career in energy, Allyson is passionate about sharing her story to offer hope and support to others exploring advanced diabetes therapies.
Gary
ITx 2012
Gary is a retired executive who developed T1D more than 50 years ago when he was 21 years old. He developed kidney failure as a result of his diabetes and needed a kidney transplant. Because of frequent, severe hypoglycemia episodes he then underwent islet (after kidney) transplantation 14 years ago. Despite side effects from taking antirejection drugs he is enjoying retirement, travelling and spending time with his grandchildren.
Kathleen
ITx 2012
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 27, Kathleen turned her personal journey into a professional mission. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, she combines her clinical expertise with the lived experience of having undergone three islet transplants. Kathleen is a dedicated advocate for patient-centered care, ensuring the voices of those living with diabetes are at the heart of research and innovation.
Brent
ITx 2021
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during university, Brent spent decades managing the condition while working to support his family. He sought islet transplantation to address debilitating, severe hypoglycemia episodes. Although his first transplant only functioned for a few weeks and he had to stop anti-rejection medications because of a rare complication, Brent remains deeply grateful for the experience. He continues to advocate for the power of research, offering hope of a better quality of life for the T1D community.
Interested in the Transplant Journey?
Click below to see the full progression of the patient journey through each stage starting with T1D diagnosis.