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Message from the Chair: April 2011

When I was first asked to become a diabetes advocate by the Canadian Diabetes Association, my first thought was “Will they want me to march in protests and carry placards?” I have done nothing of the kind.

So, what does “diabetes advocate”’ mean, really? To me, it is someone who passionately takes action to support someone they care about or a cause that is important to them. Some people do it alone and/or together with a group of like minded individuals so that the one voice is louder, making the impact is stronger.

As a member and the chair of the National Advocacy Council, I have the privilege of watching the impact that volunteers make towards our advocacy goals. It is the collective and unified voice of our grassroots volunteers that truly deliver our advocacy messages and accomplish positive changes for Canadians living with diabetes, both in their communities and across the country.

For this reason, the Canadian Diabetes Association, as part of its five-year advocacy strategy, has purposefully enhanced its advocacy capacity with highly motivated and capable volunteers to work in conjunction with the National Advocacy Council. The Area Advocacy Committees are playing a key role in developing localized advocacy goals for their regions and then customizing strategies and tactics to achieve them.

2011 is full of important diabetes advocacy initiatives, including the release of the final provincial diabetes cost model reports; the launch of the Diabetes: Canada at the Tipping Point – Charting a New Path, and a Prairies Advocacy Leadership Forum and lobby event. Additionally, the country has a number of elections during 2011 which provide further opportunities for volunteers to advocate for change.

It is the Association’s Mission to lead the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure find a cure. Advocating on behalf of people with diabetes is a means of delivering our
Mission.

Shawn Shepheard
Diabetes Advocate