D-Camps Champions
Usually, when Mr. McPhee, a teacher at Clayton Park Junior High in Halifax, Nova Scotia, asks her students to stand up in front of the class and give a presentation, a loud, harmonious groan fills the classroom.
But not from 13-year-old Erin Davis. She has everyone’s undivided attention as she begins speaking about her day-to-day life with diabetes.
“Whenever I’m asked to write a paper or give a presentation in school, I choose to talk about diabetes and the Canadian Diabetes Association’s D-camps,” says Erin. Both she and her older sister Rebecca were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of six and have been attending the D-camps program ever since.
“Talking about diabetes and D-camps in school is a good way to raise awareness about our disease, since a lot of our classmates and teachers don’t always understand,” says Rebecca, who is now 17. The D-Camps have had such a great affect on Rebecca over the past nine years that she decided to become counsellor this year.
Keen to get involved in any initiative educating their peers about diabetes, the sisters jumped at the opportunity to be champions for the Canadian Diabetes Association 2nd annual Run for Diabetes on September 23 in Halifax.
“We know that staying active helps to manage our diabetes, so we want to get others involved and continue raising awareness,” says Rebecca.
Participants can choose to walk or run 3 or 5 kms during the Run for Diabetes, September 23 at the Dalhousie Studley Gym. Rain or shine, this event boasts great music, a Kids’ Corner run by the D-Camp staff, and face painting! There will be live performances by the Scotia Cheerleaders, a professional Canadian skipping team as well as a silent auction, and refreshments for all.
Register for the Run for Diabetes by visiting runfordiabetes.ca or come out and show your support for walkers and runners!