Leading the Fight

From coast-to-coast-to-coast, advocates, volunteers and partners are helping to advance our fight against diabetes

Dr. Kwang Yang - Surrey, BC

In the long and esteemed history of the Canadian Diabetes Association, there have been many who have given of themselves selflessly. Dr. Kwang Yang is certainly one of them. A licensed physician in Canada, the UK, Hong Kong and Taiwan, with credentials including certifications in acupuncture, trauma and cardiac life support, Dr. Yang leads the fight against diabetes by engaging his own Chinese community with the Association’s education, services, fundraising and advocacy work.

“Due to the high prevalence of diabetes in the Chinese community, almost every family is affected by diabetes directly or indirectly,” Dr. Yang says. He is concerned about the community’s lack of information about diabetes, which fuels him to be a frequent volunteer speaker and he always urges his community to attend the Associations’ many educational forums. “Knowledge is important. These events are not only for persons living with diabetes and their relatives and friends, but also for those who want to prevent diabetes. These are the best events to learn how to take care of yourself and an important addition to seeing your doctors and healthcare providers,” Dr. Yang adds.

In 2009, Dr. Yang was the top fundraiser for the Association’s first Diabetes Summer Surge, a national campaign that asked Canadians to add a fundraising component (real or virtual) to their summer activities to help the Canadian Diabetes Association lead the fight against diabetes and provide services to the millions affected by the disease. After losing 15 lbs. and raising $14,700, Dr. Yang reiterates, “being overweight or obese is a risk factor for many serious medical conditions. Losing my excess weight benefitted me, the Association and the people living with diabetes.”

Dr. Yang is also the founder and president of a number of associations, including the B.C. Hepatitis B Society, the Canadian Health Awareness Society and the Pacific Chinese Culture Society of Canada. He also sits as a member of Canadian Diabetes Association Vancouver’s Chinese Advisory Committee. This dedicated committee collectively received the 2010 National Volunteer of the Year Award at the Association’s recent Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta.

Furthermore, due to his volunteer work in the past 28 years, the Government of Canada honoured Dr. Yang with the Therese Casgrain Volunteer Award in 2008 for his important contributions to communities, especially those in British Columbia.

“Managing diabetes is a continuous battle. My patients and the many people living with diabetes and their families battle with this chronic and progressive disease everyday. I honour their struggles and triumphs with my time, resources and commitment. Join us - participate, volunteer, donate and be a part of our mission,” Dr. Yang urges.