Canadian Diabetes Association has its Day on the Hill
On December 7, 2009, diabetes volunteer advocates from across Canada met with more than 50 members of Parliament to urge political action on key issues affecting Canadians living with diabetes. Diabetes Day on the Hill was also held in coordination with the release the Association’s Economic Report - An Economic Tsunami: the Cost of Diabetes in Canada.
Diabetes advocates called upon members of Parliament to support the Canadian Diabetes Association’s recommendations to renew, enhance and refocus the Canadian Diabetes Strategy and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. As well, diabetes advocates brought sample diabetes devices, supplies and medication to give an accurate representation of the enormous financial burden faced by Canadians living with diabetes.
Diabetes advocates provided members of Parliament with recommendations on how enhanced federal tax credits could help Canadians living with diabetes to meet the current financial burden.
In addition, the Association hosted a diabetes risk assessment screening for Members of Parliament, Senators and the National Press Gallery to further draw attention to the issue of diabetes and the need to take action. Healthcare professionals were on site to check blood glucose levels, blood pressure and waist circumference in order to determine those individuals at risk for diabetes.
Conservative Senator Wilbert Keon, former world-renowned heart surgeon, visited the Diabetes Risk Assessment Booth and checked his own risk. Sen. Keon noted the negative effects of diabetes to be “devastating”.
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. David Butler-Jones, also attended the Diabetes Day on the Hill activities and committed on behalf of the government to examine the recommendations being put forward by the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Shawn Shepheard, Canadian Diabetes Association advocate sits alongside Suzanne Sterling, Canadian Diabetes Association Regional Director for North West Ontario.