Canadian Diabetes Association beneficiary of tribute dinner for former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - A tribute dinner to recognize the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and the 25^th anniversary of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement will be taking place at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on Wednesday, October 3^rd.

Mr. Mulroney will be the featured keynote speaker marking 25 years of the signing of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement. The evening's event follows an afternoon symposium, Free Trade 2.0, organized by the Munk School for Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

"Diabetes is a serious disease that touches the lives of more than nine million Canadians," says Michael Cloutier, President and CEO of the Canadian Diabetes Association. "The Association thanks Mr. Mulroney and guests for their generosity in supporting our relentless battle and pursuit of a world free of diabetes. We are truly honoured to be the beneficiary of this historical event."

The net proceeds for the event will be donated to the Association to help lead the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while working to find a cure. The Association funds more than seven million dollars in diabetes research annually, and provides practical educational tools, resources and support for people living with diabetes and prediabetes. From children's D-camps to community-based programs, the Association strives to provide essential guidance and education to help people live well with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic, often debilitating disease in which the body cannot produce insulin or properly use the insulin it produces. Without proper management, serious life-threatening complications can occur such as heart attack, kidney failure or stroke. More than nine million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes—representing one in four Canadians.

"It is our aspiration that the lives of Canadians living with diabetes will be changed through our work," adds Cloutier. "Coming together at events such as this helps make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of Canadians living with diabetes."

About the Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

SOURCE: Canadian Diabetes Association

For more information on the Canadian Diabetes Association, please contact:

Katie Ostler
Communications Manager, Ontario
Canadian Diabetes Association
Tel: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[email protected]

For more information on the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and the Free Trade @25 event, please contact:

Robin V. Sears
Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Tell: [phone]
[email protected]