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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Chronic Conditions LIVING BOLDLY WITH CROHN’S:
How Sara Levitt Turned Pain into Purpose
After facing life-changing surgery and years of uncertainty, Sara Levitt found strength in vulnerability, community, and self-love. Now, as an advocate, model and creator, she’s redefining what it means to live — and thrive — with a chronic condition. Getting diagnosed and facing surgery can feel really overwhelming. Thinking back to that time, what kind of support or advice helped you the most, and what do you wish you’d known earlier?
ing a bikini on a family trip. Doing a personal photoshoot helped me see myself as whole and strong. Sharing my story publicly keeps reinforcing that confidence is something anyone can rebuild.
What helped me most was realizing I wasn’t alone. I wish I’d known how many people had similar experiences—community changes everything. Sharing my story and connecting with others brought so much healing, and the support of friends, family, and my medical team made all the difference.
Competing as a Miss Universe Canada delegate while living with a chronic condition is incredibly inspiring. How did that experience shape your advocacy work?
Life after ostomy surgery can take some getting used to, both physically and emotionally. What helped you rebuild your confidence and start feeling like yourself again? I never thought I’d feel this confident living with my ostomy. Confidence grew slowly—opening up to friends, trying new outfits, and even wear-
I’m so grateful for the Miss Universe Canada experience. It taught me so much about myself, my capabilities, and just how much I can achieve when I put my mind to something. Pageantry gave me a platform to amplify my message on a national level and show that strength, beauty, and resilience come in many forms. Being represented by such a renowned organization and having them embrace and support the IBD and ostomy community felt truly transformative. It’s the kind of growth and representation the
modeling, media, a nd pagea nt r y industries need. Competing and placing in the Top 15 was more than just a personal achievement; it was proof that strength has no boundaries, and that a chronic illness or medical device doesn’t define or limit what we’re capable of.
PHOTO CREDIT: JONATHAN LEVY @BYJONATHANLEVY
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’d like to share with our audience? I have a few exciting projects coming up across social media, film, and publishing. The best way to keep up is on Instagram @saralevs and TikTok @ saralevitt, where I share my journey with LIV, my ostomy. To read the entire interview with Sara visit healthinsight.ca.
How Diabetes Care Tech Helps People Live Life to the Fullest Innovative smartphone-based technology is leading the way in diabetes treatment, offering users a new lease on life through automated insulin delivery.
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Sonya Friesen or Canadians living with type 1 diabetes, life can be a series of ongoing decisions as they manage their condition. An autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes affects more than 300,000 people in Canada.* Those with the condition cannot produce the necessary insulin needed for cells to function, requiring the delivery of insulin through the use of a pen or wearable pump. These are effective solutions, but necessitate constant manual monitoring. The mylife Loop, a brainchild of Swiss company mylife Diabetescare, is innovative digital technology for people living with diabetes. It’s diabetes management at the tip of a user’s fingers, literally. The product combines the use of the mylife YpsoPump, CamAPS FX mobile application and a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system to create an automated insulin delivery system that can be managed easily through any smartphone. A personalized, adaptive monitoring solution, the
smartphone-based algorithm helps users take their mind off their condition by doing the thinking for them, adjusting insulin delivery through the pump every eight to twelve minutes. It constantly adapts to individual needs on a day-by-day, activity-by-activity basis. For those with type 1 diabetes, elements of life, particularly exercise, may feel impossibly complicated. Automated insulin delivery products like mylife Loop make active living more accessible by learning and predicting insulin needs during physical activity. Montrealer Christina Muchandani praises the mylife Loop for helping her continue to enjoy an active lifestyle, despite her diagnosis. “Diabetes is like an invisible backpack full of ‘just-in-case’. With mylife Loop, it’s lighter,” she says. She encourages Canadians with type 1 diabetes to choose technology that will keep up with them, instead of slowing them down. Algorithm-based therapy is the future of diabetes treatment, and that future is bright.
To learn more about mylife Diabetescare or the mylife Loop visit mylife-diabetescare.com. This article was sponsored by mylife Diabetescare .
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a Chronic Autoimmune Disease That Requires Accessible and Affordable Technology Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF) advocates for universal access and patient choice for all Canadians with living with this disease. Breakthrough T1D
C To learn more about the work of Breakthrough T1D and its advocacy initiatives visit BreakthroughT1D.ca/advocacy or email info@BreakthroughT1D.ca This article was supported by Breakthrough TID.
lose to 300,000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) a chronic autoimmune disease where the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are attacked. Unlike type 2 diabetes, individuals living with T1D require insulin for survival. People with T1D have the risk of short or longterm complications, including highs and lows in blood glucose levels; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. There is currently no cure for T1D. Breakthrough T1D Canada is the country’s
largest non-profit organization focused on T1D. They work to support Canadians impacted by the disease through community programs, funding T1D research and advocating with T1D community for access to diabetes technologies like advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps which make management easier as well as help prevent life-threatening complications and improve health outcomes. The organization advocates at all levels of government to help decision-makers recognize the potential diabetes technologies offer to help those with T1D lead healthier, safer, and easier lives.
Publisher: Arlene Asika Business Development Manager: Michaela Gallagher Country Manager: Samantha Taylor Content & Client Success Manager: Nicole Kansakar Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.