how research is transforming quality of life for people with diabetes: rina’s story
when rina cornelius was diagnosed with late-onset type 1 diabetes at 41, breakthrough technologies helped her to manage her condition with greater confidence
published dec 18, 2025
4 minute read
4 minute read
it took two years for rina cornelius to really figure out how to manage her type 1 diabetes. “it was a steep learning curve,” she says. supplied
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diabetes canada
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in 2015, during a hot, dry summer in calgary, alta., rina cornelius was deep into marathon training. she had no idea that her life was about to radically change.
“i was losing a lot of weight, but i thought it was just part of my training,” says cornelius. “i was also really thirsty all the time, urinating frequently and constantly exhausted.”
cornelius ran the calgary marathon in may and powered through her demanding training for the spartan race in august. she struggled through that second race, barely able to finish it. “i had medics approach me twice to make sure i was okay,” she says.
a shocking diagnosis
the next morning, cornelius awoke to a horrifying discovery: she could barely see. “my vision was really blurred,” she says. “i couldn’t get out of bed and i was vomiting. i was rushed to the hospital.”
cornelius was admitted immediately. her blood sugar level was dangerously high at 99.5 mmol/l — typical levels are a fraction of that. “the doctors were amazed that i wasn’t in a diabetic coma,” she says.
that day, at age 41, cornelius was diagnosed with late-onset type 1 diabetes (t1d). having no family history of the condition and few warning signs, she was floored. “it all happened so fast, and i had no idea what any of it meant,” she says.
learning to live with t1d
after a week in the hospital, cornelius began the daunting task of learning to live with diabetes. the diagnosis challenged her physically, mentally and emotionally. “i didn’t leave my house for a very long time,” she says. “i had friends bringing me groceries. i was afraid to go out because my sugar levels were so unpredictable, and i had no way of managing them.”
it took two years for cornelius to really figure out how to manage her condition. everything had to change: her diet, her sleeping patterns, her exercise regimen and her daily routines. “it was a steep learning curve,” she says. “and i lost my spontaneity. where before i could just get up and go and conquer the world, suddenly going anywhere required careful planning. it was mentally exhausting.”
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“diabetes is relentless,” says dr. shane green, senior vice president of mission at diabetes canada. “it’s a 24/7 condition with no real breaks. diabetes canada’s role is to ensure that people aren’t facing that relentlessness alone. our funding of research, for example, leads to better treatments, better care and real improvements in everyday life.”
understanding late-onset t1d
t1d is a complex autoimmune condition that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce insulin. while it can develop in childhood and adolescence, it can also show up in adulthood. in fact, late-onset t1d is more common than once thought — over half of all new t1d cases occur in adults.
ten years on from her diagnosis, cornelius has adapted to life with t1d thanks to the support of a team that includes an endocrinologist, dietitian and psychologist. breakthrough technologies have also played a role in helping her to manage her condition.
“using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor has massively improved my confidence and taken away so much stress,” she says. “when i first started seeing my diabetes educator, i felt like i was going to math class every day. calculating insulin units for my injections was so challenging.”
insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors work together to estimate glucose levels and to calculate and deliver the needed dose of insulin. “it’s pretty much like a functioning pancreas that does the adjustments for me,” says cornelius. “it’s been a lifesaver.”
how research changes lives
this life-changing technology was available to cornelius thanks to the dedicated work of diabetes researchers and the organizations that fund them, like diabetes canada.
“diabetes is relentless,” says dr. shane green, senior vice president of mission at diabetes canada. supplied
“we’ve funded $166 million in research over the past 50 years thanks to donors’ support,” says green.
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diabetes canada supports people living with diabetes with tools, resources and advocacy. its role in funding vital research into new treatments and breakthrough technologies is also critical to providing a better quality of life for those with diabetes.
cornelius is a major supporter of diabetes canada’s research program, describing recent innovations as “amazing.” her story illustrates how diabetes research can positively impact people living with the condition.
other major innovations with practical impact include the advent of glp-1 receptor agonists and cell therapies. “that entire class of drugs, glp-1s, all started with canadian research on diabetes,” says green. “another canadian discovery was the edmonton protocol, a cell therapy that helps people living with diabetes to reduce their dependence on insulin. for those who receive these cell therapies, the impact is transformative.”
investing in hope
despite all the progress that has been made in diabetes care, many challenges remain. those living with t1d still face an increased risk of complications, from stroke and blindness to mental health issues.
after the blurry vision scare that led to cornelius’ diagnosis, it took a year for her vision to fully return to normal. she worries about what her future will look like, and dreams of a day when she could potentially be gadget-free — unencumbered and worry-free, like in the days before her diabetes diagnosis. her resilience and determination ground her and allow her to hope for a better future for all people living with diabetes.
“until there’s a cure, there will continue to be a need for research,” says green.
people like cornelius are depending on diabetes research, and this holiday season is the perfect time to give. “a donation to diabetes canada is an investment in hope,” says green.
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donate to diabetes canada today at diabetes.ca/giftsatwork to help give hope to millions.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of diabetes canada.
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