What are you doing to champion the fight against the growing diabetes
epidemic?

National campaign invites Canadians to share why they are 'Diabetes Champions'

TORONTO, Nov. 12 /CNW/ - With more than nine million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes - the Canadian Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Novo Nordisk Canada are calling on Can adians to join toge ther and share what they are doing to champion the f ight against this g rowing health epide mic.¹ This campaign, held in honour of the internationally marked World Diabetes Day (November 14), puts a spotlight on the tremendous activities and contributions of millions of people who build awareness of, and live with diabetes in Canada. "Nearly every Canadian is touched in some way by diabetes, and diabetes is expected to have a continued widespread impact on Canadians in coming years," said Andrew McKee, President and CEO of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "There has never been a greater need to find a cure for this disease, and we invite all Canadians to be Diabetes Champions and to recognize the champions in their lives." 

Canadians are invited to share their stories, and celebrate the Diabetes Champions in their life, by visiting the World Diabetes Day (WDD) Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada). Visitors can nominate a Diabetes Champion by posting comments, photos and videos and learn more about diabetes and the Canadian campaign at worlddiabetes.ca.  The campaign begins today and runs until November 14. 

"There are countless Diabetes Champions making special achievements every day in communities across Canada - from people living with diabetes to parents and friends, to doctors and researchers," said Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. "We want to recognize their ongoing commitment, while also raising awareness of the impact that diabetes continues to have on millions of Canadians and their families."

A Canadian mom celebrates her Diabetes Champion
Jane Lynch of Enfield, Nova Scotia is continuously amazed by the dedication and efforts of her 11-year-old daughter Lauren. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago, Lauren led a fundraising event in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association this past summer and also attended the Association's camp for children.  

"Our family is extremely proud of Lauren's motivation to support the Canadian Diabetes Association. She often gets me through the tough times that can come when living with this disease, because she's such a brave girl," said Jane. "Lauren is our Diabetes Champion." 

A Diabetes Champion shares her story
Halle Stasyna also knows firsthand what it's like to be a Diabetes Champion.  At the age of 11, Halle became very sick and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  Since her diagnosis, Halle and her family have become heavily involved in leading the fight to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.

"I know what it's like, having your life change in a matter of seconds and realizing the road ahead.  I am thankful for my involvement with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and what they do, moving forward everyday to find a cure," said Halle, Diabetes Champion.

"Novo Nordisk is proud to be a Diabetes Champion and founding sponsor for World Diabetes Day Canada in partnership with the JDRF and CDA," said Vince Lamanna, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. "As a leading diabetes care company, Novo Nordisk aspires to change diabetes in Canada through better methods of diabetes prevention, education and treatment. By working in collaboration with the diabetes community, we can help to reverse the diabetes pandemic."

Become a Diabetes Champion!
There are a number of ways that you can become a Diabetes Champion. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Step it up
Plan a neighbourhood or community walk dressed in blue in support of World Diabetes Day and share your photos on the WDD Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada).

Circle of friends
The international symbol for diabetes is a blue circle. Gather your co-workers, family, friends and others, dress in blue and take photos of yourselves standing in a blue circle formation. Post these to the WDD Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada).

Blue Hoola-Hoop Challenge
Using blue hoola-hoops, challenge your friends to see who can hoola-hoop the longest. This is a great way to combine a healthy activity with the blue circle symbol for diabetes. Photos can then be posted on the WDD Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada).

Wear your blue on your sleeve
Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to dress in blue on November 14 in recognition of World Diabetes Day. Post a photo or video of yourselves on the WDD Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada).

In addition to visiting the WDD Canada Facebook page (facebook.com/WDDCanada), Canadians can also learn more about World Diabetes Day on worlddiabetes.ca .

About World Diabetes Day
Commemorated since November 2007 as an official United Nation's World Health Day - World Diabetes Day is marked every November 14 (the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin).

Since 2007, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and founding sponsor Novo Nordisk Canada have united efforts to celebrate World Diabetes Day in Canada. Based on the success of last year's campaign, CDA, JDRF and Novo Nordisk are again marking the day by honouring and celebrating Diabetes Champions from across Canada.

About the Canadian Diabetes Association
Today, more than nine million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes.  Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure.  Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure and translate research into practical applications.  For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the global leader in setting the agenda for type 1 diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate for type 1 diabetes research. Our mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Founded in 1974 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF is passionate about our commitment to raising funds to drive world-class research to develop new and better treatments to improve the lives of people who have type 1 diabetes and keep them as healthy as possible.

JDRF efficiently and effectively directs resources to research aimed at finding a cure and developing new treatments, drugs and therapies. JDRF is committed to aggressively following the most promising paths to cure, better treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes.

About Novo Nordisk Canada
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. For more information, visit www.novonordisk.ca.

References:

¹ Canadian Diabetes Association. CDA website main page. http://www.diabetes.ca . Accessed October, 2010.

For further information:

For more information about World Diabetes Day or to arrange interviews and/or photo opportunities with diabetes researchers and/or Diabetes Champions, please contact:

NATIONAL Contact
Andrea Rosebrugh
Work: 416-848-1456
Cell: 416-937-3761
[email protected]

JDRF Contact
Jennifer McEvoy
Work: 647-789-2024
Cell: 647-929-6096
[email protected]

CDA Contact
Randi Garcha
Work:416-408-7071
Cell: 647-292-9641
[email protected]