Dedicated to the Fight Against Diabetes

Canadian Diabetes Association thanks volunteers for their passion, action and impact

TORONTO, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ - During National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), the Canadian Diabetes Association is celebrating its volunteers who generously donate their time and energy in supporting us to LEAD the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes LIVE healthy lives while we work to find a CURE.

"I became a volunteer because I've lost many family members to diabetes, which also puts me at risk.  I've been trained to educate the public about the seriousness of the disease and share this information through health fairs as a speaker.  I've met many like-minded people with a passion for a common purpose—giving back to the community in a meaningful way," says Gillian Musaib-Ali, volunteer for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Our volunteers are integral and each role is connected to one of the Association's activities: providing education and services to people living with diabetes, advocating on their behalf, supporting innovative research and setting the standard for diabetes care.

"As a long time investigator in the field of diabetes, it is a great pleasure to volunteer with such an excellent organization that is making a difference in the lives of so many Canadians," says Dr. Alexandra Jenkins, volunteer on the Canadian Diabetes Association's National Nutrition Committee.

Ross Hirning was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994 and has been volunteering with the Association since 2004 in a number of capacities.  "Everyone should volunteer for a cause or an organization that is important to them if they can.  I believe that informing people about diabetes is critical to the future good health of Canadians, and the best way for me to do that is by volunteering with the Canadian Diabetes Association," says Ross.

Thanks to the significant effort and commitment of our volunteers, last year the Canadian Diabetes Association was able to provide more than 1,870 educational events reaching over 280,000 people across the country.

"We are grateful for the time and expertise our volunteers share with us and the communities they serve," says Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. "Everything we do relies on their work and they make a significant impact in the lives of the more than nine million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes."

Are you committed to leading the fight against diabetes?  Visit diabetes.ca/volunteer to learn more about becoming a volunteer, completing an online volunteer application form and for other ways you can help support people living with diabetes or prediabetes.

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).

or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Randi Garcha
National Manager, Media Relations & External Communications
Canadian Diabetes Association
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]