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Cameco helps Canadian Diabetes Assocaition continue diabetes outreach in Saskatchewan’s North

Monday, March 14, 2011

Tags: Saskatchewan

Thanks to generous sponsor support from Saskatoon-based Cameco, the Canadian Diabetes Association (Saskatchewan) has been able to plan visits to more than a dozen remote communities in Saskatchewan’s North, as part of the Travelling Diabetes Resource Program (TDRP).

From participating in science fairs and festivals, to delivering educational presentations about diabetes and healthy eating, and leading diabetes risk assessment screenings, the Association has had-over the last few months-the opportunity to extend its TDRP service to locations like Big Island Lake Reserve, Fond Du Lac, La Loche, Onion Lake, Reindeer Lake, and Saulteaux, including visits with hundreds of Cameco employees based in McArthur River and Cigar Lake. In the coming months, the Association will head to Beauvaul, Buffalo Narrows, Green Lake, Ile a la Crosse and Red Earth First Nation.

According to Heidi Estrada, Public Programs and Services Coordinator with the Canadian Diabetes Association, the opportunity to get face to face with the people in Northern Saskatchewan is invaluable: “I enjoy my travels to Northern Saskatchewan. The Travelling Diabetes Resource Program (TDRP) is a good opportunity to provide people with one on one education and a hands-on risk assessment. The people I talk with are always so welcoming and eager to learn whatever they can about diabetes prevention and management. It is encouraging to see the little changes people are making all over Saskatchewan in an effort to live healthier lifestyles.”

Diabetes now affects 75,000 Saskatchewan residents (1 in 14), and raising awareness about the disease, especially in high-risk, remote communities is key.
Cameco has identified diabetes awareness, screening, and risk assessment as important, notably up North and for Aboriginal communities, and to this end, has chosen to partner with the Canadian Diabetes Association in Saskatchewan.