Campaign to Accelerate: 16-Year-Old Sleeps Atop Flagpole to Support Life-Saving Research
100 years ago, insulin was discovered in Toronto.
Researchers Frederick Banting and Charles Best sold the patent to insulin for only $1, under the belief that no diabetic should be denied access to a life-saving drug.
Today, insulin is the sixthmost expensive liquid in the world and those living with Type 1 Diabetes require insulin to stay alive.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation wants to move beyond insulin and find a cure.
Sixteen-year-old volunteer Wilson Gaglardi is sleeping atop a 40-foot flagpole for 100 hours to help raise funds.
Gaglardi was diagnosed with T1D at the age of six.
Gaglardi is one of five brave Canadians impacted by Type 1 diabetes who are remaining perched atop flagpoles to support JDRF Canada's $100 million Campaign to Accelerate.
The flagpole challenge was inspired by Oliver & Bonacini co-founder and longtime JDRF support, Peter Oliver.
Thirty-two years ago, Oliver lived atop a flagpole until he raised $250,000 for T1D research, after his daughters diagnosis.
The flagpole represents the balancing act of the life and death decisions that those living with T1D face each day.
People can support Gaglardi and JDRF Canada by visiting canadacuresdiabetes.ca and making a donation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Papua New Guinea says landslide buried more than 2,000 people
A Papua New Guinea government official has told the United Nations more than 2,000 people were believed to have been buried alive by Friday's landslide and has formally asked for international help.
NEW A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
'We were vetted': Sex-ed organization 'disappointed' over Higgs' comments
The head of a Quebec-based sexual and reproductive health organization says she's disappointed New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has deemed presentations she did in the province last week inappropriate.
Cyclone floods coastal villages, blows away thatched roofs and cuts power in Bangladesh and India
A cyclone flooded coastal villages, blew away thatched roofs and left hundreds of thousands of people without power Monday in southern Bangladesh and eastern India. At least seven deaths were reported.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
DEVELOPING Indigo Books & Music shareholders to vote on privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders are expected to vote this morning on whether the retailer should accept a sweetened offer from a holding company that plans to take the bookstore chain private.