Canadians Set to Celebrate Historic Milestone on World Diabetes Day

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Communities uniting across the country for 90th anniversary of the discovery of insulin

Toronto, ON, [November 11, 2011] – Ninety years ago, Canada gave the life-saving gift of insulin to the world. Since then, diabetes champions around the world such as Banting, Best, Macleod and Collip have fought for improvements in diabetes education, prevention and care. This World Diabetes Day (November 14), the Canadian Diabetes Association, JDRF Canada, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. and Eli Lilly Canada are calling on Canadians to unite for the 90th anniversary of this important discovery in the fight against diabetes, and celebrate today’s Canadian Diabetes Champions who are helping to change the face of the disease.

Canadians are encouraged to share their Canadian Diabetes Champion stories at worlddiabetes.ca, demonstrating how they are leaders in the fight against diabetes. 
They are also encouraged to show their support for World Diabetes Day by wearing blue on November 14th.


More than nine million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes and that number is expected to grow.1 It is estimated that 5.4 million Canadians are living with prediabetes and approximately 50 per cent of those Canadians will develop type 2 diabetes.2 Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects about 10 per cent of the population of people diagnosed with diabetes, while type 2 affects approximately 90 per cent.1

“The history of diabetes research in Canada is, in every sense, a history of innovation,” said Andrew McKee, President and CEO, JDRF Canada. “We are calling on all Canadians to come forward this World Diabetes Day to recognize all those who take part in diabetes education, prevention and care by sharing their stories and wearing blue this November 14th.”

“Diabetes doesn’t just affect those Canadians who have been diagnosed,” said Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. “It is a disease that affects every single one of us, from people living with diabetes to those who care for them and all of us as Canadian taxpayers. World Diabetes Day is important, not only to continue to bring awareness to the millions of Canadians dealing with the day-to-day challenges from the disease, but also a chance to recognize and celebrate the people who have already contributed and those who have an ongoing commitment to help change the face of diabetes in Canada.”

“As the Founding Sponsor of World Diabetes Day in Canada, Novo Nordisk is proud to join with Canadians from coast to coast to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the discovery of insulin,” said Vince Lamanna, President, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. “Nearly 90 years ago, Novo Nordisk was founded on a commitment to answering the needs of people living with diabetes. By collaborating with individuals, organizations such as CDA and JDRF, and governments, our aim is to break the curve of the diabetes pandemic and support people living with diabetes to live fuller, healthier lives until a cure is found.”

Diabetes Champion: Shawn Shepheard
Shawn Shepheard is a well-recognized ambassador and champion for people living with diabetes. Shawn was diagnosed with T1D in 1997 and has taken the challenges associated with the disease and channeled them into life-changing lessons. Seemingly tireless, Shawn has successfully run three marathons and five half-marathons and dedicates countless volunteer hours to the Canadian Diabetes Association, both regionally and nationally. He is Past Chair on the Association’s National Advocacy Council (NAC) and serves as representative of the Association’s Ontario Area. He uses this same dedication, motivation and enthusiasm as an entrepreneur running his own business every single day in his quest to live a fulfilled life.

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, JDRF Canada and founding sponsor Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. 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.

For more information and to share your story, please visit worlddiabetes.ca, join the conversation at facebook.com/WDDCanada, and follow WDD Canada on Twitter (@WDDCanada).

About the Canadian Diabetes Association
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. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

About JDRF Canada
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on T1D research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has internationally awarded more than $1.5 billion to T1D research. More than 80 per cent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly improve the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. For more information, please visit http://www.jdrf.ca

About Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.
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 http://www.novonordisk.ca.

-30-

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 PR Contact
Kristen King
T: 416-848-1427
C: 416- 830-9933

JDRF Contact
Jennifer Dent
T: 647-789-2025
C: 647-427-3407
E:

CDA Contact
Randi Garcha

T: 416-408-7071

C: 647-292-9641

E:

Next: Public funding for insulin pumps could save Nova Scotia over one million dollars
Previous: During Diabetes Awareness Month, ask someone you care about to Get Checked now