Raising Awareness About Diabetes Across the Country
Thousands of people across the country united to raise awareness of the disease and celebrate the many individuals that are helping and hoping to change diabetes history. Several events across the country recognized and honoured the day with highlights that include:
Activities at Banting House, the National Historic Site of Canada (the birthplace of insulin) located in London, Ontario. Banting House is where Sir Frederick Banting woke up with the idea that led to the discovery of insulin. He later won The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923 for this discovery. The Canadian Diabetes Association not only preserves the historic significance of Banting House for future generations, but it also maintains the Flame of Hope as a reminder to the world of what we are fighting for and building on Banting’s legacy.
Banting House kicked off the day with a Global Walk for Diabetes. Approximately 1,400 students and staff from Sir Frederick G. Banting Secondary School walked for 30 minutes to raise funds for diabetes research. Later that evening, Banting House was illuminated in blue to recognize WDD and to launch the opening of the Dear Dr. Banting exhibit. The exhibit includes a collection of letters expressing their gratitude, struggles, emotional journeys and hopes for a cure, which have been touched by diabetes and inspired by the discovery of insulin. Also, a comparison of the letters written to Dr. Banting from 1924 to 1934 and from 2005 to 2012 is now on display at the museum, along with countless other Banting items of historical significance.
In Regina, Saskatchewan, a diabetes risk assessment was held for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and staff at the Saskatchewan Legislative, which provided valuable information to people who are unknowingly suffering from or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk assessment provided individuals with a blood pressure check, waist circumference measurement and risk factor questionnaire to catch danger signs for diabetes and diabetes complications. Healthcare professionals from the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region’s Metabolic & Diabetes Education Centre were available to discuss information with participants on how to lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and make recommendations for follow-up. In addition, an MLA reception was held in the evening where MLA’s were invited to hear about the severity of diabetes in Saskatchewan and learn about the Association’s Saskatchewan region’s advocacy recommendations to the government to help people living with diabetes in the province.
A similar MLA reception was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the Manitoba Legislative Building was lit up in blue light to symbolize global unity in the fight against diabetes.
On Canada’s east coast, in Bass River, Nova Scotia, students formed a blue circle at West Colchester Consolidated School. In total, 106 Students, Grades five through nine formed a circle around their auditorium with blue crepe ribbons held by each seated student. The students then counted to three and jumped up from sitting on the floor holding the ribbon and shouted “We Will Find A Cure!”
In addition, the Canadian Diabetes Association engaged fans and followers on Twitter and Facebook by providing information on WDD events and asked to share their inspiring stories and explain why WDD was important to them.
Thanks to the numerous diabetes awareness events that took place across Canada and around the world, we are truly making a difference by raising the profile of diabetes on a global scale.
To support diabetes awareness activities year-round, please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).