Vancouver, B.C. – The Canadian Diabetes Association is looking for people with Type 1 diabetes to receiveleading edge diabetes care, including participating in B.C.'s first islet cell transplants.

The islet cell transplants will be offered as part of a research study comparing the best current therapies for diabetes with transplantation. Potential candidates will be 20 - 55 years old, have had diabetes for at least 5 years, and have experienced a certain degree of eye and kidney damage from diabetes. Although volunteers do not need to live in Vancouver, they will need to make several trips to Vancouver.

"The Canadian Diabetes Association has an ongoing commitment to fund leading edge diabetes research and care," said Catherine Adair, Executive Director of the Canadian Diabetes Association (Pacific Area). "We're very excited about this initiative and will continue raising funds for promising research through 'Quest for Discovery', which has a goal of raising $250,000 in the lower mainland."

Islet cell recipients will need to take immunosuppressive drugs which themselves have long-term risks. For this reason it will be important to carefully determine the risks and benefits of islet cell transplants and conventional treatment.

"We hope to learn from the study which people do best with a transplant and which people remain healthier by receiving the best diabetes care available today," said Dr David M. Thompson, Head of Endocrinology at Vancouver Hospital and UBC, who will be coordinating the conventional diabetes care portion of the study.

"Islet cell transplantations aren't a cure for Type 1 diabetes," continued Dr David M. Thompson. "Up until now, by the time a person has reached the need for a transplant, it's been looked upon as an alternative to mortality. The question is, who would be better off with the transplants, as opposed to continuing with insulin therapy? People can live for decades taking insulin, but some of those people will develop devastating complications such as kidney failure and heart disease. We hope to learn which group does better -- the group receiving the transplants, or the group receiving the best diabetes care available today."

People interested in obtaining further information about the Islet Cell Transplantation Study can contact the Vancouver Hospital Division of Endocrinology by e-mail at support@bcendocrineresearch.com or fax at 604-875-5925. Website is www.bcendocrineresearch.com

About the Canadian Diabetes Association More than two million Canadians have diabetes and this number is expected to reach three million by 2010. Risk factors include being over the age of 45, being related to a person with diabetes, or having high blood pressure.

The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve the quality of life for those affected, through research, education, service and advocacy. Operating through more than 150 locations, the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners.

More information about diabetes and the Canadian Diabetes Association is available at www.diabetes.ca and 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).