INTRODUCING

Aprons in Action

Presented by Manulife

It’s a cooking challenge, not a 10K!


Join this one-of-a-kind fundraising challenge and compete for a chance to cook live with celebrity chefs. Registration is free for a limited time.  Register today!

Register Now

INTRODUCING

Aprons in Action

Presented by Manulife

It’s a cooking challenge, not a 10K!


Join this one-of-a-kind fundraising challenge and compete for a chance to cook live with celebrity chefs. Registration is free for a limited time.  Register today!

Register Now

Learn. Cook. Fundraise. Vote. Celebrate!

Introducing our Aprons in Action Ambassadors

A man with short grey hair and black-framed glasses, wearing a black outfit, standing with arms crossed and a serious expression against a plain light background.

Chef Alvin Leung

Ambassador Celebrity Chef

A smiling woman with short, curly black hair, wearing a colorful patterned shirt with suspenders, standing in front of a blurred indoor background.

Chef Marissa Leon-John

Ambassador Celebrity Chef

A man with short hair, a beard, and clear-framed glasses, wearing a patterned shirt and a blazer with dark lapels, looking slightly to the side against a neutral background.

Chef Malcolm Campbell

Ambassador Celebrity Chef

Portrait of a slightly smiling man with a grey beard, wearing black glasses, a white chef's coat, and a dark apron, in a professional kitchen setting.

Chef Michael Bonacini

Celebration Gala Celebrity Judge

A smiling man with glasses and a small goatee, wearing a white chef's jacket, facing slightly to the side against a light background.

Chef Christian Pritchard

Celebration Gala Emcee

Aprons in Action presented by Manulife is our brand-new national fundraiser. This is your chance to help us raise  $1 million for Diabetes Canada.

Win a chance to cook live with our celebrity chefs at the Aprons in Action Celebration Gala on November 14, 2026 - World Diabetes Day at The Carlu in Toronto, and be featured in our digital cookbook.

Register and fundraise as an individual or corporate team, and create your own original recipe in one of three categories: appetizer, main or dessert!

Along the way, you'll receive weekly content to support both your fundraising and culinary journey, including tips and tools to help you reach your goals, nutrition guidance from registered dietitians, and inspiration from our ambassador chefs. Through a mix of emails, videos, and live sessions delivered right to your inbox, you’ll have everything you need as the program progresses.

How You Can Participate

  • 1. Register

    Sign up as an individual or gather your colleagues to form a corporate team. Registration is open from March 18 - August 15, 2026.  

  • 2. Learn

    From March to August, cook with confidence as you build your skills and create your own original recipe. You’ll receive weekly content to support your fundraising and culinary journey, including expert tips, nutrition guidance, and inspiration from our ambassador chefs - delivered through emails, videos, and live sessions straight to your inbox. Check out our cooking resources page to help get you started.

  • 3. Cook

    Put on your apron and start cooking! Develop your own original, nutritious appetizer, main or dessert recipe that shows your creativity in the kitchen. 

  • 4. Fundraise

    Reach the fundraising minimum of $300 to unlock your chance to submit an original recipe in September.  The first 900 participants to raise the minimum $300 threshold will receive a branded Aprons in Action presented by Manulife apron, sponsored by Chef Works!

  • 5. Vote

    From September 2 - 16, upload photos of your dish online to inspire others and spread the word about your fundraising efforts, and most importantly, to get people to VOTE for your dish. 

  • 6. Celebrate

    The top vote-getters and most creative cooks who stay actively engaged by fundraising and sharing their dishes will earn the chance to take part in the Aprons in Action Celebration Gala in Toronto on November 14, where they’ll cook alongside celebrity chefs.

Event Sponsors

As the presenting sponsor of Aprons in Action, Manulife is proud to support Diabetes Canada and the vital work being done to improve health outcomes across the country. Through the Manulife Longevity Institute, we are advancing insights, research, and practical solutions that empower people to live longer, healthier lives.


By supporting this initiative, we’re helping build healthier communities, inspire confidence, and create a future where more people can thrive at every stage of life.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Aprons in Action wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners. Through financial and in-kind contributions, they play a vital role in delivering this national challenge and driving meaningful impact for Canadians living with diabetes.


Meet Our Sponsors

As the presenting sponsor of Aprons in Action, Manulife is proud to support Diabetes Canada and the vital work being done to improve health outcomes across the country. Through the Manulife Longevity Institute, we are advancing insights, research, and practical solutions that empower people to live longer, healthier lives.


By supporting this initiative, we’re helping build healthier communities, inspire confidence, and create a future where more people can thrive at every stage of life.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Aprons in Action wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners. Through financial and in-kind contributions, they play a vital role in delivering this national challenge and driving meaningful impact for Canadians living with diabetes.

Meet Our Sponsors

Participant Leaderboard

Top Personal pages

Corporate Team Leaderboard

Top Team pages

Contact Us

Need help?  Our team is here for you. Reach out anytime at apronsinfo@diabetes.ca.

National Office: 1000-170 University Ave. Toronto, ON M5H 3B3