Join us

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Good afternoon, everybody. Good afternoon. Thanks so much for being here for the National Volunteer Awards.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Just gonna make sure everybody gets in, and then we're gonna get started in a few seconds here.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Right?

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Good afternoon, good evening, and welcome, everybody.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: We're so excited to be celebrating Diabetes Canada's National Volunteer Awards with you all this year. My name is Jeff Abraham, and I'm the Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Thanks for joining us to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of Diabetes Canada's many volunteers.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: We're very excited to acknowledge the dedication of this year's volunteers, and I just want to show you really quickly, if you can see this, but this is the awards that people are going to be getting in the mail, so these are the actual physical awards.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: that people will be getting from today, so this will be sent out to everybody after the awards ceremony. It has, like, a nice Diabetes Canada logo in the center, and it is a class award that we've created. So, looking forward to being able to share that with you all.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: So to get us started, we are going to, we hope that everybody, our volunteers, we sent some celebratory packages, so we hope that you're enjoying your popcorn and some DC swag.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: To ensure that everything goes smoothly, we're going to ask that everyone take a moment to ensure they're muted. Feel free to turn on your camera, and please note that this is recording right now, and we will be posting this on our website and YouTube in the next few weeks, so if you prefer not to have your camera on, that's okay too.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: As this is a webinar, you'll only see staff and volunteers who've been invited to speak today on camera.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: And if you have any messages of encouragement, feel free to write them in the chat.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: So next up, we're going to do our land acknowledgement, and I'd like to start with saying that we come with respect for this land that we are on, and I'm on today in Toronto, to Toronto, which is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: I also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, and later Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties, signed with multiple Mississaugas of the Credit and Chippewa bands.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: I want to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of the lands which we each call home.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations, and to improving our own understanding of local Indigenous peoples and cultures.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: I encourage us all to take time to learn about the traditional lands on which we are, and the Indigenous peoples who helped to steward the land and waterways for many generations before we arrived as settlers here, and how we will commit to care for these lands and the history today and for future generations.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: To help with understanding the lands on which you reside, you can check out the website native-land.ca to learn more about your area of the world.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: It's an extra special year this year, because it's actually the International Year of the Volunteer, International Volunteer Year, and the last time that this was declared, was 25 years ago by the UN, the United Nations. It's a really great way for us to acknowledge all volunteers do.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: But also specifically this year is related to sustainable development goals.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: that the UN has put forward. In total, there are 17 goals, and one of those goals

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Is good health and well-being, to ensure people have access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines, and healthcare services for all.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: So we'd like to celebrate and thank all of our volunteers here at Diabetes Canada. We're helping to support people living with diabetes have a better quality of life through advocacy, research, fundraising, and education.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: to ensure a world free of the effects of diabetes. So we wish everyone a happy International Year with a volunteer. We're so glad we get to partner together and celebrate together.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: I'm now going to pass things over to Matthew English, who's the Manager of Digital Fundraising, to introduce a little bit more about why we do these awards.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Matthew?

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Matthew English: Thanks, Jeff. Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. We are here today to celebrate our dedicated volunteers who generously give their time to support Diabetes Canada's vision of a world free from the effects of diabetes. All of our volunteers play a critical role in working towards this vision.

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Matthew English: Today, we are honoring all those who were nominated and the recipients that were selected with the support of the Volunteer Engagement Committee, Diabetes Canada staff, and our senior leadership team.

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Matthew English: We received many submissions from across the country, making this year's selection process a very tough one. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit their nominations.

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Matthew English: Each recipient will receive an award, which will be shipped to their home address. In the case of group efforts, one award will be shared amongst the group, and one representative from the group has been designated to speak.

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Matthew English: Now, we are thrilled to recognize this year's outstanding volunteers and celebrate their invaluable contributions.

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Matthew English: This year, we are recognizing 5 categories for the Volunteer Awards, with a total of 13 individuals and groups that have been recognized.

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Matthew English: The award categories are as follows. National Young Volunteer of the Year, which has 1 recipient. The National Volunteers of the Year, which have 10 recipients in total.

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Matthew English: The National Advocacy Leadership Award, which has one recipient, the Innovation Award, which has one recipient, and the Charles H. Best Award, which also has one award recipient.

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Matthew English: Now, without any further ado, I would like to introduce, our President and CEO of Diabetes Canada, Laura Syron, for some opening remarks. Over to you, Laura!

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Laura Syron: Alright, thanks, Matt. It's always tough to follow Matt, because he's got that radio voice, and I do not have the radio voice. But I, this is one of the highlights of my year, is getting to come on and celebrate volunteers. And so, it's a real pleasure to join you all today and salute each of you, and hopefully you've got some family and friends celebrating you.

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Laura Syron: And thank you for taking the time to be here.

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Laura Syron: I, always say this, and it rings true every time, we literally could not do the work here at Diabetes Canada without you.

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Laura Syron: without a vibrant, talented, passionate community of volunteers, who really, lean in with us on the mission. In fact, in 2025, the year... last year just passed.

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Laura Syron: We had over 540 volunteers who filled almost 900 different volunteer roles we have. We have so many different ways to volunteer and so many different needs. We have volunteers who supported our camps.

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Laura Syron: We run 8, diabetes camps, 9 family camps, and we couldn't do it without volunteers, and because of that, 1,000 kids between the age of 7 and 17 actually got to go last year to summer camp. They build friendships, they build memory. In fact, some of the people who are getting awards today, even in long time past camp.

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Laura Syron: went to camp and made those connections. We have volunteers here today and across the country who, who are what we would call advocacy volunteers. They raise their voices, they share their stories, they meet with politicians, they meet with provincial and federal leaders. And because of that, in 2025, a couple things happened. We actually had four provinces sign on to PharmaCare agreements.

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Laura Syron: And more recently, we have had wins in Saskatchewan and Ontario around those provinces agreeing to institute new province-wide standards of care for kids who live with Type 1 diabetes in school. Literally, those wins don't happen without many of you.

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Laura Syron: These are really milestone programs, and while we're talking about that, just think of how many of the 4 million people who live with diabetes are helped by that. We have a whole range of volunteers who are healthcare providers, and we're gonna honor some of them today. In 2025, we released 3 new clinical practice guidelines for laypeople like myself. What is a CPG?

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Laura Syron: It's a guideline for clinicians across the country on what's the latest way to treat, manage, prevent all different aspects of diabetes. And so, those three new guidelines came out, they had user guides, they had tools there, webinars and resources.

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Laura Syron: There was classes where more than 1,400 people with diabetes joined in to learn about educating themselves.

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Laura Syron: Of course, we have fundraising volunteers, and they do a whole range of things. They help at golf tournaments. Some of you may have heard Kristyn and I talking about going on the runway and the pump couture, fashion shows. That doesn't happen without volunteers. We've got galas, we've got hockey games, and lots of other local things. So, and all of those funds go to our mission work. Banting House, I see Grant on the line.

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Laura Syron: We had over 3,000 people go on a tour of Banting House, and that's because of our volunteers, and those tours were offered in 13 different languages, and again, couldn't be doing that without the volunteers.

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Laura Syron: As you could probably tell, volunteers are really the heartbeat of Diabetes Canada. That's why I love this event so much, because we get to celebrate it. Our vision is to create a world free of the effects of diabetes. I'll say that again, to create a world

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Laura Syron: free of the effects of diabetes. And for those of us who live with diabetes, that includes myself, we know what those effects are. They're not just physical effects, they're emotional effects, they're social effects, increasingly financial effects. And so your dedication, your passion, your hard work.

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Laura Syron: is really helping to create a world free of the effects of diabetes. So, thank you.

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Laura Syron: What we do is only possible because of our amazing volunteers, and I'm so happy to be celebrating you here today. So, I am going to turn it over to Yucen, who's going to talk about our first volunteer category, National Young Volunteer Award.

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Yucen Liu: Okay, thanks, Laura, and hi, everyone. My name is Yucen Liu. I'm the project coordinator with Marketing and Communications, and previously worked as a Health Equity and Research Coordinator here at DC.

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Yucen Liu: I have the pleasure of announcing our first award today for the National Young Volunteer Award. This award celebrates the invaluable contributions of youth in advancing Diabetes Canada's mission and goals.

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Yucen Liu: This award is designed to recognize individuals up to age 29 who have made significant contributions to Diabetes Canada, and aims to encourage and inspire continued engagement and commitment to our cause.

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Yucen Liu: This year, we are delighted to announce the award for National Young Volunteer goes to Ho Ching Nika Shiu...

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Yucen Liu: And Nika was an instrumental volunteer who supported the Sustaining Momentum to Implement the Diabetes Framework, aka the SMIDF team, as a volunteer project researcher.

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Yucen Liu: This work was supported with a grant through the Public Health Agency of Canada, which was a 3-year project initiated in 2023.

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Yucen Liu: Nika helped to organize and research interventions around the country, which directly supported DC's research and policy objectives.

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Yucen Liu: Nika also prepared summary reports and roundtable highlights accurately reflected key themes and recommendations without overstating results or minimizing limitations.

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Yucen Liu: This work helped advance the work of Diabetes Canada and meet our goals, and congratulations, Nika.

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Nika Shiu: Hi, can everyone hear me?

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Laura Syron: We can, yep!

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Nika Shiu: Okay, perfect. So, hi everyone, thank you so much for the National Volunteer Award Committee and Diabetes Canada for giving me this award. I'm really grateful to receive this National Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

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Nika Shiu: And a special thank you to Adria and Yucen for nominating me for your support and for your guidance.

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Nika Shiu: So, since joining the SMIDF team as a research volunteer in September 2024, so it has been almost like 2 years, and I've learned so much, and not just about the research, but also about like teamwork, communication, and the importance that the volunteers can make.

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Nika Shiu: And it has been such a rewarding experience, and I'm really grateful to be part of an amazing team. And thank you again.

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Laura Syron: Thank you so much, Nika, and congratulations again on a very well-deserved award. Next, I have the privilege of introducing the winner of this year's Innovation Award.

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Laura Syron: This award honors an individual who has found an innovative, creative, and efficient solution to further our vision of the world free of the effects of diabetes.

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Laura Syron: And, I'm thrilled, I'm trying to look for her on, she can maybe come off camera. I'm thrilled to say this year's recipient is, Dr. Halperin. And I know she's with us, because we heard her earlier. Well, before I let her say a little something, just to tell you...

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Laura Syron: what's the innovation that Dr. Halperin has made? So, first of all, Dr. Halperin has worn many, many volunteer hats. She served as the lead author, most recently, in one of those chapters of those Clinical Practice Guidelines I was talking about. Her chapter is about the Glycemic Management of Type 1 diabetes.

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Laura Syron: This chapter is helping to shape

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Laura Syron: the national standards of care for people who live with Type 1 diabetes all across the Canada... all across Canada. She's also volunteered in many other ways as a speaker, an educator at Diabetes Canada events to make sure a broader range of healthcare providers understand emerging technologies and modern diabetes management approaches. For those of you who live with diabetes, you know there's lots of technology advances.

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Laura Syron: And we've got to make sure that the Clinical Practice Guidelines keep up with that, so a broad range of healthcare providers know about that. One of the main reasons that Dr. Halperin was nominated this year for the 2025 awards

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Laura Syron: was because of how she contributed to the development and review of healthcare provider tools and educational resources to improve the implementation of the CPGs across Canada, and particularly a specific safety tool that was created with her and an intern around automated insulin delivery. Dr. Halperin recognized

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Laura Syron: that by partnering with Diabetes Canada, this particular diabetes management safety tool would have wider use and better credibility, and we are so thankful for innovation solutions like this to help people living with diabetes. The work on the CPGs, the Clinical Practice Guidelines,

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Laura Syron: and creating this tool has allowed Dr. Halperin to advocate for people living with diabetes to choose the type of care tools they want, that they want to utilize, because it fits what they prefer and how they prefer to manage their diabetes

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Laura Syron: rather than being forced to use one, given affordability or access issues. So, love to see that. Congratulations, Dr. Halperin. Thank you for always being creative and innovative, and congratulations on the Innovation Award, and I'd love to turn it over to you to say a few words.

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Dr. Ilana Jaye Halperin: Thank you very much, Laura. I'm truly honored. As Laura mentioned, I think my first real foray into understanding Type 1 diabetes was

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Dr. Ilana Jaye Halperin: almost 13, 14 years ago when I was a resident at Camp Huronda, and there's no better place to learn about the highs and lows of living with diabetes, than when you're with the campers day in and day out.

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Dr. Ilana Jaye Halperin: And it's quite remarkable to see how far we've come at camp. I can't wait. It'll be up there in 2 weeks today for the first week of A session. And when I started, we had... everybody was finger-poking, and lots of people were still using NPH BID, and now 100% of the campers are on sensors, and probably 80% of the campers are on pumps with automated insulin delivery. And they're just having a great time, and they're safe, and it's a pleasure to be a part of this community.

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Dr. Ilana Jaye Halperin: So, thank you so much to everyone. Thank you to Grace, who I believe was the one who nominated me. And a big thank you to Peter Senior, who's been a mentor, friend, and colleague, and I see is on the line. And I hope to be able to keep working and improving the lives of people living with, all forms of diabetes, for years and years to come. Thanks so much, Laura.

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Laura Syron: Yes, thanks, Dr. Halperin, and keep on innovating! We love it. We love it. So...

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Laura Syron: Jeff, I think over to you.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Thanks so much, and thanks, Dr. Halperin. I'm really thankful for all that you've been able to do.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: Next up, we're going to be going through the next 10 awards, which are our National Volunteer of the Year Award. These are either individuals or groups who've gone above and beyond in supporting the work of Diabetes Canada.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: The National Volunteer of the Year has outstanding dedication to Diabetes Canada, or an outstanding achievement, and has been part of the organization for at least 2 years.

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Jeff Abraham, CVA: To start off with, we're going to have Lauren Linklater, the Senior Manager of D-Camps, to present the first award. Over to you, Lauren.

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Lauren Linklater: Thanks, Jeff.

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Lauren Linklater: Hi everyone, I'm so thrilled to be here, and not to repeat so much of what Laura said, but, you're gonna have to hear me for a few folks, as I have a privilege of introducing awards for a few D-Camp's connected individuals.

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Lauren Linklater: But we truly can't do the work that we do without the support of volunteers for our D-Camps programs from coast to coast. So, I am absolutely thrilled to be able to congratulate Erin O'Toole.

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Lauren Linklater: For being a National Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. Now, Erin's journey and timeline with Diabetes Canada far exceeds that of what she has spent as a volunteer as a former camper and seasonal program staff member with our D-Camps team.

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Lauren Linklater: But over the past few years, she has dedicated her time, her energy, her expertise, her attention to detail, and the role of an administrative support and coordinator for our Camp Kakhamela team in BC.

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Lauren Linklater: But it doesn't stop there. She is also the first to raise her hand anytime we need some extra support for our BC Island Family Camp, as someone who calls the island home, and is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiencies, innovate systems, and...

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Lauren Linklater: it feels really timely, sort of on the heels of what we celebrated Dr. Halperin for, but looking at how we can update our systems at camp to make sure they're matching emerging technologies and what our campers are doing to make sure that those systems

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Lauren Linklater: Are moving as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

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Lauren Linklater: Erin also took on sort of leading and supporting and updating our camp orientation for our medical team that is actually scheduled for this evening, so I could go above and beyond, because

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Lauren Linklater: Erin always looks to share her expertise, her story at Family Camp as a speaker, and is just such a positive contributor to a positive team culture. So, congratulations, Erin. I would like to pass it over to you to say a few words.

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Erin O'Toole: Thanks so much, Lauren, and the awards committee for the recognition. It's a really huge honor. D-Camps means the world to me. I attended Camp Kakhamela in BC after being diagnosed in 2008, and it changed my life absolutely for the better, so it's a huge

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Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: .

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Erin O'Toole: privilege to get to keep volunteering with Diabetes Canada, and it brings me so much joy.

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Erin O'Toole: I look forward every year to volunteering, and I can't wait to keep dedicating my time so that kids with Type 1 can have the best possible camp experience, just like I got to. Diabetes has brought me, of course, a lot of hardship, but it's also brought me the best friends and the strongest community that I've ever been a part of.

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Erin O'Toole: So thank you again to everyone at Diabetes Canada for having me back year after year, because now I never have to leave summer camp, so... what a joy. Thanks again.

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Lauren Linklater: Thanks, Erin. Now we are going to be moving from coast to coast, where I am thrilled to be sharing the next recipient of our National Volunteer of the Year Award, who is no other than Deidre Burns.

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Lauren Linklater: Deidre has been a valued member and volunteer with Diabetes Canada for, gosh, over a decade. Deidre, I've lost count. It's been some time, you know, years start to blur into one at camp.

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Lauren Linklater: but specifically supporting Camp Morton in Nova Scotia. She is not only a member of our healthcare team there, and uses her experience and expertise as a registered dietitian in working as a preceptor and recruiting our incoming interns.

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Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: But...

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Lauren Linklater: also takes a lead in all of the menu planning and actual food preparation at camp. As fun fact, Camp Morton happens exclusively outdoors at Kejimkujik National Park. So Deidre and team are always ready for the meal hours in advance, as that preparation never stops. We could not do what we do without her in so

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Lauren Linklater: many definitions. The way that I think of Deidre is the wearer of many hats, not just a healthcare team member, not just as someone who makes the most delicious food.

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Lauren Linklater: Again.

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Lauren Linklater: I've tried all of our camp food. I think Camp Morton is up there. But also, as someone who wears her risk management hat from her outside-of-camp experience, and makes sure that she is the first to help get our canoes to camp, she is the first to make sure that the water is safe for our campers to be swimming in.

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Lauren Linklater: And is always there to help make sure that the camp experience from start to finish, and all of the planning in advance.

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Lauren Linklater: Lives up to the high standards that we strive to create in that camper experience.

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Lauren Linklater: She is so much fun, and her ability to support the recreation time for campers and ensuring safety for fun, and all involved is something that I will always admire about you, Deidre.

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Lauren Linklater: So, congratulations, and I thought I saw Deidre on the line, but I don't know if, she is saying something, or if we possibly have a video?

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Deidre Burns: We did, but, you know, my tech capability, that didn't show up. So, thank you so much for honoring me with the award. Working with the amazing team at Camp Morton has been an incredibly rewarding experience, one that's kept me coming back for more than 20 years. Yeah, I think it's 25 years.

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Deidre Burns: Oh, yeah, see, tech doesn't work so well. Start video.

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Deidre Burns: Yeah, so together we've created an environment, where long-lasting memories are made, where lifelong friendships are... are...

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Deidre Burns: built, and it's just an incredibly rewarding experience for campers and for staff alike. So, I'm really deeply appreciative to all of my Diabetes Camp family, and just want to say thank you so much to Diabetes Canada for making it all possible.

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Lauren Linklater: Thank you, Deidre, and I also look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks, at camp as well. Finally, I am so excited to be presenting the next National Volunteer of the Year Award to Ellen or Ellie Fraser.

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Lauren Linklater: I am very honored and privileged to have known Ellie for many years, as I first met her as a camper at Camp Huranda, but she has been a dedicated supporter to Diabetes Canada D-Camps, and truly advocacy efforts for many years.

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Lauren Linklater: More specifically, and more recently, she has stepped into the co-chair role of the Friends of Camp Huranda Alumni Committee.

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Lauren Linklater: As that co-chair that she sort of shared the role with.

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Lauren Linklater: started to step down and step back as life changes. Ellie has continued to push this group forward in a really positive way that aligns with our overall organization mission, vision, and values. She is my true partner in everything and making sure that we are aligned in helping to steward our really exceptional alumni community.

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Lauren Linklater: And where we can engage them, and also appropriately nudge them, where needed to make sure that everyone is

00:26:05.330 — 00:26:22.809
Lauren Linklater: supportive and responsive in that community setting. Her leadership in helping to, sort of, persevere and the strength and continuity of this community, I feel, will help shape us for success for years to come.

00:26:22.920 — 00:26:47.789
Lauren Linklater: She's gone above and beyond to strengthen succession planning and documentation and making sure that there are real processes behind everything that we do. And that's not to say that she also doesn't bring so much fun and light to everything that she does. She is involved with countless other organizations and diabetes community groups as well.

00:26:47.790 — 00:27:01.990
Lauren Linklater: to increase advocacy and accessibility alongside her lovely diabetes alert dog, Vesper, who's included in this photo. So it is my privilege to share a congratulations to you, Ellie. Over to you.

00:27:03.910 — 00:27:18.800
Ellen Fraser: Thank you so much, Lauren. Yeah, really a trip down memory lane, if you go all the way back to, when we first met, and I was probably, you know, pretty awkward and a preteen, so I'm certainly glad that we're here now.

00:27:18.930 — 00:27:35.190
Ellen Fraser: Yeah, I feel so fortunate, and I never take it for granted to have had the community and the role models that I received at Camp Huronda really showed me what it meant to excel and to live through the highs and lows of Type 1 diabetes.

00:27:35.190 — 00:27:53.809
Ellen Fraser: volunteering and at one point working at Camp Huronda has, you know, really been one of the most fulfilling things I've done in my life. This community really demonstrates so much resilience, and I think tapping into that with alumni is really powerful, and so I'm really

00:27:54.070 — 00:28:13.220
Ellen Fraser: privilege to be able to work with such a wonderful and motivated group of people, and yeah, thank you for... for this award. Really, volunteering is the least I can do to express my gratitude for everything that I've gotten from Camp Huronda, but also Diabetes Canada, the larger organizations. Thank you.

00:28:16.670 — 00:28:17.220
Grant Maltman: Great.

00:28:17.350 — 00:28:22.659
Grant Maltman: Thanks, Ellen, and thanks for sharing that picture of the puppy. Always a scene stealer, for sure.

00:28:22.710 — 00:28:39.480
Grant Maltman: Hi everyone, my name is Grant Maltman, and I'm the curator at Banning House National Historic Site in London, Ontario, the birthplace of insulin. I'm happy to be presenting the next National Volunteer of the Year Award, which goes to Jeanne Bank.

00:28:40.050 — 00:28:44.980
Grant Maltman: Jeanne, there she is. Jean joined our volunteer team in March of 2017.

00:28:45.250 — 00:29:01.320
Grant Maltman: She'd recently moved to London, and she was initially involved as a museum guide and helped out with special events, and then shortly after, began training new volunteers. Jeanne is always ready to support others and share her knowledge with the other volunteers and myself.

00:29:01.320 — 00:29:12.379
Grant Maltman: She's probably one of our most reliable backup volunteers. As volunteers know, you have lives, and sometimes things happen. And so, she's always there to answer a text, except when her...

00:29:12.640 — 00:29:23.239
Grant Maltman: her phone dies, and she rarely takes leads. Very good to me. When I have a special VIP tour, that I'm unable to do, she's always there to step up, and for that, I'm really grateful.

00:29:23.410 — 00:29:24.909
Grant Maltman: And if that wasn't enough.

00:29:25.060 — 00:29:31.410
Grant Maltman: One day, she asked me, just sort of out of the blue, if our Museum Advisory Committee had a recording secretary.

00:29:31.630 — 00:29:42.480
Grant Maltman: she saw through my blank stare, and with a smile that she... only she has, said, how about I take that over for you? And we actually have a functioning committee, thanks to her.

00:29:42.710 — 00:29:58.959
Grant Maltman: Jeanne comes in every Thursday, and it's probably my favorite day of the week. We share stories about what we're watching on TV, and what's happening in the lives of our kids. She has an adult daughter who lives with Type 1 diabetes, and so she offers a perspective that is

00:29:58.960 — 00:30:08.399
Grant Maltman: proved most beneficial to my own tours and some of the tours, that our colleagues have done. And she's also pretty good on... with advice on how to raise my own kid.

00:30:08.650 — 00:30:20.799
Grant Maltman: For which I'm also grateful. Congratulations again to you Jeanne. I'm glad we were able to keep this as a surprise for as long as we did, and thanks again for coming in earlier today. As always, I really appreciate it. Over to you.

00:30:21.850 — 00:30:25.839
Jeanne Bank: Thanks very much, and thank you for this recognition.

00:30:25.840 — 00:30:50.569
Jeanne Bank: And especially to Grant, who's our wonderful curator, at the Banting House. And, I'd also like to mention Terry Clarkin, who's just the most amazing volunteer coordinator. Every week, as Grant said, I get to share Dr. Banting's story, and to hear the stories of our visitors who come from across Canada and around the world, many of them members of the diabetes community.

00:30:50.570 — 00:31:15.259
Jeanne Bank: For me, volunteering is just a small way, to give back, but also, more importantly, to recognize the daily challenges faced by people living with diabetes, including my daughter, as Grant said, who was diagnosed 22 years ago this month, with Type 1, and also to thank Diabetes Canada for the work that they do to support them.

00:31:15.520 — 00:31:16.680
Jeanne Bank: Thanks very much.

00:31:21.510 — 00:31:22.780
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Thanks so much.

00:31:23.360 — 00:31:24.810
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Appreciate that, Jeanne.

00:31:25.060 — 00:31:35.119
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Very excited to present the next award. The next award that we have up is for National Volunteer of the Year for Sepelene Deonarine.

00:31:35.470 — 00:31:49.209
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Sepelene is a volunteer with Diabetes Canada since 2013, bringing with her valuable experience from maternal and child health, where she supported individuals living with gestational diabetes.

00:31:49.330 — 00:31:58.980
Jeff Abraham, CVA: As an educator, she was inspired to get involved and make a meaningful difference. And she continues to do that just through her commitment to supporting and connecting with others.

00:31:59.200 — 00:32:09.729
Jeff Abraham, CVA: She was initially part of the Community Engagement Group, Healthcare Provider Group, and then later a part of the Advocacy Group, where she went to Queen's Park for different advocacy events.

00:32:10.060 — 00:32:15.429
Jeff Abraham, CVA: In 2017, Sepelene won the Regional Volunteer of the Year Award here at Diabetes Canada.

00:32:15.560 — 00:32:22.450
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Sepelene currently does many events where she helps community members learn all about Diabetes Canada's websites and features.

00:32:22.650 — 00:32:37.770
Jeff Abraham, CVA: in a variety of faith communities, with the Durham Community Healthcare and Cultural Expression groups, and the 50-plus Trinidad and Tobago Group, while sharing information directly from DC to empower community members to find items for themselves.

00:32:38.080 — 00:32:41.950
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Congratulations, Sepelene, and over to you to share.

00:32:46.850 — 00:32:49.599
Sepelene Deonarine: Oh, hi, can you hear me?

00:32:50.350 — 00:32:55.920
Jeff Abraham, CVA: We can. If you want to just move your camera down a little bit so we can see you a little bit better, that'd be great.

00:32:56.430 — 00:33:00.170
Sepelene Deonarine: I don't know where my... yeah, I can't...

00:33:02.390 — 00:33:04.159
Jeff Abraham, CVA: There you go, we can see you now. Go ahead.

00:33:05.240 — 00:33:17.199
Sepelene Deonarine: Okay. Oh, oh, hello, or good... good evening, or good afternoon. My name is Sepelene Deonarine, and Jeff, thank you so much for that, intro. I... I don't have much to say, Jeff, since you said all that so beautifully.

00:33:17.870 — 00:33:27.769
Sepelene Deonarine: Anyway, I... what I want to do is to thank Jeff, my nominator, and, you know, I'm so humbled by the nomination, and then the win!

00:33:28.090 — 00:33:33.100
Sepelene Deonarine: It really validates my volunteer work as being important to those

00:33:33.210 — 00:33:38.110
Sepelene Deonarine: with diabetes, their families, and community members at large.

00:33:39.220 — 00:33:48.009
Sepelene Deonarine: I want to thank Diabetes Canada for... and the volunteer managers for allowing me to be part of Diabetes Canada since 2013.

00:33:48.670 — 00:34:01.560
Sepelene Deonarine: There were many things. I just got some photos up there. Thanks to the Town of Ajax for accepting my request for recognizing Diabetes Day with flag raising and proclamation in November.

00:34:02.140 — 00:34:19.409
Sepelene Deonarine: You can see that there, with the flag, it was raining, and we're trying to get the flag up, and the rain, and the wind and everything together. Again, thanks to all the MPs, MPPs, and Mayor and Council of Ajax for their great support in participating in all things diabetes.

00:34:20.000 — 00:34:25.579
Sepelene Deonarine: Thanks to many organizations for allowing me to present diabetes education at the event.

00:34:25.940 — 00:34:30.269
Sepelene Deonarine: Thanks to the support of my volunteer colleagues and my professional colleagues.

00:34:30.460 — 00:34:33.880
Sepelene Deonarine: I volunteered for Diabetes Canada

00:34:33.989 — 00:34:38.710
Sepelene Deonarine: In Vancouver, and this is a little side thing, in Vancouver.

00:34:38.900 — 00:34:47.719
Sepelene Deonarine: In 2015, my husband won the draw. There's a draw every year where the IDF goes two years every...

00:34:47.840 — 00:34:54.490
Sepelene Deonarine: a different country, and he won that. And that was... we ended up in Abu Dhabi.

00:34:54.620 — 00:34:56.959
Sepelene Deonarine: So we win Abu Dhabi for...

00:34:57.070 — 00:35:00.520
Sepelene Deonarine: the conference, the IDF conference, and

00:35:00.750 — 00:35:10.289
Sepelene Deonarine: there were other nurses there representing a different organization, but Diabetes Canada to more or less Quebec Canada, mostly.

00:35:10.420 — 00:35:12.510
Sepelene Deonarine: So that was... that was great.

00:35:13.010 — 00:35:24.840
Sepelene Deonarine: Great exposure, and thanks to the advocacy section for allowing me to attend Queens Park on occasions to emphasize the work of Diabetes Canada and the gravity

00:35:25.380 — 00:35:29.689
Sepelene Deonarine: of diabetes here in Canada and around the world.

00:35:30.620 — 00:35:34.149
Sepelene Deonarine: And again, thanks to my husband, which is up to the...

00:35:34.530 — 00:35:45.940
Sepelene Deonarine: It's a lone person standing in the middle with a white shirt there, who is, who's also a volunteer in my family, who helps inspire me to every event.

00:35:45.940 — 00:36:02.170
Sepelene Deonarine: Helping with the setting up, and having our presentation space very accessible for all. It's really important. And then some of the pictures there, this is, myself and the president and CEO of Lakeridge Health Hospital.

00:36:02.590 — 00:36:06.590
Sepelene Deonarine: One of the pictures right here is the,

00:36:06.950 — 00:36:10.670
Sepelene Deonarine: Nancy Henry is one of the counselors with Ajax.

00:36:10.830 — 00:36:18.720
Sepelene Deonarine: At the ones here, closer to my left, is MP Cerjanec

00:36:19.370 — 00:36:24.650
Sepelene Deonarine: At the top, there is a student there, because sometimes I...

00:36:24.810 — 00:36:30.539
Sepelene Deonarine: Do some orientation with new students, and this is another volunteer.

00:36:30.920 — 00:36:41.160
Sepelene Deonarine: there, and this is... we had Zumba, I... I participated in the Zumba presentation, and I Zumba for 2 hours. Oh, my.

00:36:44.370 — 00:36:54.549
Sepelene Deonarine: So again, to all, I thank you again for a great collaboration and making me shine on this special day. I share this award with you.

00:36:55.210 — 00:36:56.290
Sepelene Deonarine: Thank you.

00:36:58.560 — 00:37:02.689
Matthew English: Well, thank you so much, Sepelene, that was awesome. Congratulations once again.

00:37:02.690 — 00:37:18.590
Matthew English: I'll be taking over to be announcing the, the next 3 winners of the National Volunteer of the Year Award. All these people are very, wonderful, deserving recipients involved in some way in our, events and community groups and, fundraising across the country. Our first one

00:37:18.590 — 00:37:23.420
Matthew English: is National Volunteer of the Year Award winner Kristyn Doran.

00:37:23.670 — 00:37:32.419
Matthew English: Kristyn has been a volunteer with DC for the past 5 years, and has been part of Pump Couture Toronto, which is DC's fashion show fundraising event.

00:37:32.480 — 00:37:42.700
Matthew English: Kristyn's been part of the event since its inception, and currently serves as our chair of our committee for Pump Couture. Kristyn brings a deep personal understanding of the mission of DC,

00:37:42.700 — 00:37:55.790
Matthew English: Which fuels her passion and commitments. She's been able to build community through her networks, and she's leveraged those personal connections to secure partnerships and sponsors and elevate the profile of Pump Couture.

00:37:55.840 — 00:38:07.620
Matthew English: On top of that, Kristyn takes the time to be an advocate and an ambassador for the diabetes community by supporting volunteers and mentoring new committee members. Congratulations to you, Kristyn, and over to you!

00:38:08.120 — 00:38:25.080
Kristyn Doran: Well, thank you very much, Matthew, and thank you. I think it was Nicole and Lindsay that nominated me, so I very much appreciate it. Volunteering with Diabetes Canada, and specifically with Pump Couture Toronto, has helped me give back.

00:38:25.300 — 00:38:43.239
Kristyn Doran: to Camp Huronda and the D-Camps across Canada, which was a place that was very, very special to me when I was diagnosed as a diabetic, when I was a teenager. I walked the runway with numerous friends today that I met

00:38:43.650 — 00:39:00.560
Kristyn Doran: 40 years ago at camp, so it is fantastic. The... it also, gives, people like myself, other diabetics, Laura, the ability to walk the runway, show off, strut their stuff. We're all beautiful.

00:39:00.560 — 00:39:14.310
Kristyn Doran: and just the way we are, which I think is a wonderful way to end the stigma of diabetes. So, thank you again. I very much appreciate the award, and

00:39:14.430 — 00:39:16.229
Kristyn Doran: Thank you.

00:39:17.560 — 00:39:28.460
Matthew English: Great. Congratulations. Well deserved. Keeping on that pump couture theme, our next National Volunteer of the Year award will go to Dustin Halvorson.

00:39:28.800 — 00:39:37.469
Matthew English: Dustin has been a valued volunteer with Diabetes Canada over the last 3 years, serving as chair of the Pump Couture Committee in Regina, Saskatchewan.

00:39:37.560 — 00:39:49.309
Matthew English: We are thankful for the amount of support that Dustin's been able to show us in building up the community and building up the Pump Couture event in Regina by providing strategic leadership to the event.

00:39:49.310 — 00:40:04.490
Matthew English: Helping find sponsors, volunteers, models to rock the walk of the runway, and also helping us have connections with the local media there in Saskatchewan to make the show a big success, all because of the goodwill of Dustin and the inspiration of his family.

00:40:04.490 — 00:40:21.900
Matthew English: Because of Dustin's efforts, we've been able to raise over $250,000 through Pump Couture Regina, and he's busy continuing to raise support for Pump Couture this year. Congratulations, Dustin! Dustin is out at a conference today, so he couldn't make it to this event.

00:40:21.900 — 00:40:27.089
Matthew English: But, he was very graciously able to send us a video, which we will play now.

00:40:29.100 — 00:40:44.549
Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: Hi, everybody. Sorry I can't attend virtually and on time today, but I did want to send a quick note and say thank you so much to Diabetes Canada for the work that they do to support those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

00:40:44.550 — 00:41:07.950
Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: We put in a lot of effort here in Saskatchewan to the Pump Couture event. We've had so much success. I've been honored to be the chair, and a title sponsor of the event for the last 3 years, where we've raised almost $400,000. You guys will have to correct me on that, but this is to better the lives of families and kids living with type 1 diabetes by being able to send them to camp.

00:41:07.950 — 00:41:19.910
Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: If you're on this call, I know that you're already greatly affected and passionate about improving the lives of those living and those... supporting of those living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and

00:41:19.910 — 00:41:43.689
Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: For me, I will cherish this honor of being the National Volunteer of the Year with my daughter for the rest of our lives. This charity and this organization has given us the chance to secure a bond in how we feel about living with type 1 diabetes personally, and it's created opportunities to have memories

00:41:43.690 — 00:41:53.740
Audio shared by Daman Dhillon: for life, and this recognition was not expected, very much appreciated, but something I will share with my daughter for the rest of our lives, so thank you so much.

00:41:56.910 — 00:41:59.679
Matthew English: Excellent. Congratulations once again to Dustin.

00:41:59.930 — 00:42:05.480
Matthew English: I have one more award that I have the, the privilege of presenting.

00:42:05.600 — 00:42:15.110
Matthew English: This next award is going... it's also for the National Volunteer of the Year Awards, and the honoree is Georgia Medwedrich.

00:42:15.750 — 00:42:35.010
Matthew English: Georgia has been a valuable volunteer with Diabetes Canada since 2014, and has made outstanding contributions through her leadership roles, especially serving as Lions Club District Governor and the past District Governor, current District L, and multiple District 19 Diabetes Chair for the past 5 years.

00:42:35.010 — 00:42:59.250
Matthew English: and also BC Diabetes Canada National Liaison with Lions Club International. Now, I don't know what all those districts and designations mean, but it sounds like a lot of fantastic work involved with the Lions Club out there in BC. She consistently promotes support for diabetes initiatives within the Lions Clubs, encouraging them to donate and support diabetes camps, especially Camp Kakhamela in British Columbia.

00:42:59.560 — 00:43:06.160
Matthew English: The Pastor District Governor of Georgia produces and distributes a monthly diabetes newsletter for MD19L.

00:43:06.160 — 00:43:23.359
Matthew English: to help keep everyone informed and share information about diabetes education centers on Vancouver Island. Lastly, Georgia also supports a variety of Diabetes Canada initiatives, including the Lions Club Step Challenge, like Walk With Me Sugar, and the Let's Talk Step Challenge.

00:43:23.360 — 00:43:34.370
Matthew English: Helping to expand our reach and engagement through accessible community actions. Great stuff, congratulations to you, Georgia, and I'm passing it over to you to share a few words.

00:43:35.750 — 00:43:45.259
Georgia Medwedrich: Bear with me, hard to talk. Thank you so much. And you know what? This came as such a surprise, because I didn't even know I was nominated.

00:43:45.260 — 00:43:55.840
Georgia Medwedrich: I don't even know who nominated me, but thank you! I, am so honored and humbled to receive this award.

00:43:55.840 — 00:43:59.089
Georgia Medwedrich: And the amount of work that...

00:43:59.190 — 00:44:22.800
Georgia Medwedrich: the lions do to support diabetes, as it is one of our global causes. So... and everything that I do is towards camp. Do the step challenge. You donate $5, you gotta walk for 30 weeks. And it's amazing, because our top stepper did over 6 million steps.

00:44:23.300 — 00:44:23.710
Laura Syron: Wow!

00:44:23.710 — 00:44:35.519
Georgia Medwedrich: of 30 weeks. So, we're gonna do it again next year because they were all so excited and wanted to stay healthy. So, all I can do is say thank you so much.

00:44:35.640 — 00:44:38.040
Georgia Medwedrich: And, I'm very humbled.

00:44:41.340 — 00:45:01.339
Candace Aqui: Great. Thank you, Georgia, for sharing your story. Thanks, Matthew. Hi, everyone. My name is Candace Aqui, and I'm a manager here at, for our Diabetes Knowledge and Connection team here at DC. Next up, we'd like to recognize Barbara Weryk as our next National Volunteer of the Year recipient.

00:45:02.120 — 00:45:15.420
Candace Aqui: So, it is my pleasure, to, provide this award to, to Barbara, to Barb, as most of us know her as. Barb supports the virtual education program.

00:45:15.420 — 00:45:28.830
Candace Aqui: Which reached over 1,400 attendees last year, and we're already at just over 1,300 attendees this year. She responded to a call in 2024 for facilitators, and has been an amazing collaborator since then.

00:45:28.830 — 00:45:39.380
Candace Aqui: Her work with this program has added such a richness to the topics that we talk about, with her understandable and notable analogies to explain difficult concepts.

00:45:39.520 — 00:45:48.289
Candace Aqui: Barb provides her expertise and compassionate approach to diabetes management, and is always willing to step in when other facilitators may not be available.

00:45:48.520 — 00:46:05.359
Candace Aqui: Collaboration is clearly important to her, as she has encouraged her colleagues in her own place of work to support our work, and personally has invited me to an education and engagement session connecting me with the diabetes education programs in Southwest Ontario.

00:46:05.850 — 00:46:19.319
Candace Aqui: In addition, Barb has supported Camp Huronda, Camp Discovery, and Family Camp in her role as a nurse and CDE. She's often the first to volunteer to facilitate an adult learning session at Family Camp.

00:46:19.380 — 00:46:39.050
Candace Aqui: And over the past few years, she has carved out time to connect with all camp staff living with Type 1 during spring family camp to check in on them and address any questions that they may have, supporting them with tools or questions, as I said, that they have, that they might be bringing towards the team.

00:46:39.340 — 00:46:52.959
Candace Aqui: And just as an example of taking initiative, Barb has even created incentive prizes as part of the camp experience. So again, it is my pleasure to congratulate you, Barbara. So happy to be working with you, and over to you to share.

00:46:56.520 — 00:47:21.490
Barbara Weryk: Yeah, thank you so much. I just wanted to thank Diabetes Canada for this incredible honor, and especially to you, Candace, and the whole virtual education program team for giving me a national platform to not only share my knowledge, but my analogies, to help empower people living with diabetes across the country to have a better understanding of diabetes, and just make their days a little bit easier. I also want to thank all my friends at Camp Discovery in

00:47:21.490 — 00:47:44.620
Barbara Weryk: Today, I was trying to, like, think about how do you perfectly explain the feeling when you leave camp, right? And I was like, it's an indescribable feeling, right? It's magical, it's laughs, it's normalizing something that's not always normal in the real world. It's a sense of belonging.

00:47:44.620 — 00:48:00.709
Barbara Weryk: And, you know what? And that sense of belonging leads me to acknowledge my whole Camp Discovery med team, right? We've been coming back for years after years, and we actually just met last night to kind of discuss our plans for this year. Which also...

00:48:00.710 — 00:48:25.680
Barbara Weryk: Leads me, I want to acknowledge my own personal endocrinologist and my own diabetes nurse, who, since I've been diagnosed with Type 1, they've shown me nothing but kindness, understanding, compassion throughout my entire diabetes journey, which has inspired me to give back to this community. My past, current, and all my upcoming work with Diabetes Canada is truly my proudest accomplishment. It's involving learning more about type 2 diabetes.

00:48:25.680 — 00:48:48.539
Barbara Weryk: and the process of creating guidelines from incredible individuals across the country, but also teaching people across Canada with Candace in the program, how to make their lives just a little bit easier every day, but at the same time being empowered by the kids living with Type 1. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside such dedicated colleagues and volunteers.

00:48:48.590 — 00:48:52.170
Barbara Weryk: And thank you again for this award and everything that you all do.

00:48:53.510 — 00:49:11.269
Laura Syron: Thank you so much, Barb. Congratulations on the award, and I have the privilege of giving our final National Volunteer of the Year award, and I see him online here, to Mark Lehman. And, it's a real pleasure, because I've worked with Mark very closely, and

00:49:11.270 — 00:49:35.590
Laura Syron: This is a different kind of volunteer, this is a governance volunteer experience. So, Mark has been volunteering, since 2020, and in, with a couple different hats on. So, Mark has been a board member of the Diabetes Canada Board, he was on the Finance Committee and on the board, and then we also have a sister organization, National Diabetes Trust, and not only did Mark raise his hand to stay on

00:49:35.590 — 00:49:55.069
Laura Syron: the Diabetes Canada Board and beyond the finance, but also go to the National Diabetes Trust Board, and even further decided to be the chair of that board, agreed to be the chair of that board. So many, many hats, volunteer hats. This was all, of course, during COVID, so that was a pretty tough time to start as a volunteer and be governing these organizations.

00:49:55.690 — 00:50:12.019
Laura Syron: Mark brings a personal lens to this. His dad lived with diabetes, so he was able to bring that personal caregiver lens to it. And, I am just incredibly grateful for, the expertise, the wise counsel,

00:50:12.020 — 00:50:36.959
Laura Syron: the, always leaning in to all aspects of our board work, including mission. Also, Mark would... is good, works at KPMG, and is a good twister of arms there, so was able to get KPMG to, help, support some of our fundraising efforts, and, want to thank Mark for that. So, Mark, I... I hope, I know this, this is, National Volunteer

00:50:36.960 — 00:50:52.089
Laura Syron: of the year for you to me. I hope that you understand that the drive you brought, the leadership you brought, and the support that you've given to Diabetes Canada and NDT has really made a lasting difference for those of us with diabetes. So congratulations, and over to you, Mark.

00:50:53.410 — 00:51:10.349
Mark Lehman: Well, thank you, Laura, for the kind words. I'm honored to be recognized with this award, and want to thank you for the nomination. It's just been tremendous serving DC with you, Laura, and with your excellent senior leadership team.

00:51:10.630 — 00:51:35.479
Mark Lehman: I, I see you mentioned about starting during COVID, so personal shout-out to Peter Senior, who I see at the top of the screen, because as Peter knows, my first interactions with him by force had to be over Zoom, and, then I was really, really excited when we actually got to meet and talk and get together in person. It was a game changer, but I also want to say special thanks

00:51:35.480 — 00:51:49.920
Mark Lehman: for, Tim, because you did mention about NDT. Because I served on the, you know, the audit and the finance and investment committee and Risk Committee at DC, I think lots of my questions and queries and probing

00:51:50.240 — 00:52:09.640
Mark Lehman: directed at Tim, so for his contributions, and for his willingness now to, lend a hand over at NDT, because NDT is near and dear to my heart, as you, as you know. DC is just such a great organization, it really is, with purpose.

00:52:09.720 — 00:52:14.929
Mark Lehman: And, you know, our real mission to lead the fight against diabetes, and

00:52:14.980 — 00:52:22.290
Mark Lehman: you know, I think my closing remarks at one of the board meetings was that I'd just been privileged to have a front-row seat.

00:52:22.290 — 00:52:45.249
Mark Lehman: just to see the great work that DC is doing. And I loved leaning in. I loved going and seeing Camp Huronda for the first time. I loved getting in a NDT truck and doing a ride-along, collecting clothing donations off people's front porches and driving them to Value Village.

00:52:45.390 — 00:52:56.089
Mark Lehman: It was just, you know, wonderful to be able to lean in, to be able to see the great work that DC's doing. So, just like to end by

00:52:56.100 — 00:53:11.899
Mark Lehman: Extending my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has volunteered with me for your contributions to DC, because it means a lot for all the volunteer work that everyone across the board has done, so thank you.

00:53:12.480 — 00:53:13.380
Laura Syron: Thanks, Mark

00:53:16.540 — 00:53:18.130
Laura Syron: I think, Joan, you're next?

00:53:21.420 — 00:53:23.010
Laura Syron: Or maybe Laura Driscoll.

00:53:23.010 — 00:53:24.110
Laura O'Driscoll: It's me, yes.

00:53:24.110 — 00:53:26.069
Laura Syron: The other Laura.

00:53:26.070 — 00:53:26.660
Laura O'Driscoll: Yes.

00:53:26.890 — 00:53:31.150
Laura O'Driscoll: Laura, great names, saved for great people, Laura.

00:53:31.550 — 00:53:41.490
Laura O'Driscoll: So, thank you, everyone, for being here today. My name is Laura O'Driscoll, and I'm the Senior Manager of Policy here at Diabetes Canada. And can you believe it? We're down to our final two awards.

00:53:41.490 — 00:54:02.590
Laura O'Driscoll: I have the privilege of giving our next award, which is the National Advocacy Leadership Award. This award is given to Diabetes Canada healthcare professional members, grassroots advocacy volunteers, or volunteer group who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, commitment, and dedication in advancing public policy in the interests of people living with diabetes and by...

00:54:02.700 — 00:54:27.599
Laura O'Driscoll: Advocating for a strategy of diabetes in Canada. We are delighted to present this year's award to Scott MacMillan, and Scott is here with his daughter, Rosemary. I think Rosemary is still with you, Scott. Not sure. There she is in the picture, looking cute as possibly can be. Hi, Rosemary! It is so good to see... I have had many, many conversations with Scott and his wife, Katie, about Rosemary, so it's so good to meet you.

00:54:27.600 — 00:54:31.609
Laura O'Driscoll: Rosemary. Scott, and his family live in

00:54:31.750 — 00:54:56.230
Laura O'Driscoll: New Brunswick, just outside of Fredericton. Scott's inspiration to get involved, was through his lived experience with his daughter Rosemary, who lives with Type 1. Scott has been regularly involved with our advocacy initiatives in New Brunswick over the past couple of years, doing media interviews, coming with us to our, our days at the legislature there, meeting with dozens and dozens. We met with almost every single elected official in New Brunswick in the last year.

00:54:56.310 — 00:55:18.179
Laura O'Driscoll: Working to improve the quality of life for kids living with diabetes in the province, and we're really getting there with them, updating their, kids in school guidelines, so fingers crossed that change happens soon, as it has in Saskatchewan and Ontario, as Laura mentioned earlier. During the federal election, Scott kept the conversation going on Pharmacare and the importance of it for people living with diabetes.

00:55:19.250 — 00:55:36.969
Laura O'Driscoll: He's done media interviews with local media, national media. He's been able to bridge the gap between patient experience with broader public policy, to ensure that everything that is grounded in real-world experience, I mean, nothing we do is without the voice of people living with diabetes and people who have experience.

00:55:36.970 — 00:55:40.039
Laura O'Driscoll: You know, people affected by diabetes.

00:55:40.160 — 00:55:53.769
Laura O'Driscoll: And thank you so much, Scott, and thank you to Rosemary and Scott, to your wife, Katie, and the rest of your family, for your advocacy. Yeah, and again, crying congratulations, Scott, and over to you to, share a message with us.

00:55:55.000 — 00:56:03.759
Scott MacMillan: Wow, thanks so much, Laura, for this opportunity, and to, Diabetes Canada for this incredible honour. I'm very surprised and humbled.

00:56:03.780 — 00:56:22.259
Scott MacMillan: And as Laura mentioned, we accept this award on behalf of my spouse, Katie, who advocates alongside me every day for our daughter, Rosemary, and alongside our entire family. And most importantly, I want to thank our daughter, Rose, for being so strong and brave every single day since she was 15 months old.

00:56:22.260 — 00:56:31.640
Scott MacMillan: And for being very patient today. While I'm an engineer professionally, today I'm here as a dad. I didn't,

00:56:32.020 — 00:56:38.370
Scott MacMillan: I didn't become an advocate because I necessarily wanted to. I became an advocate because Rosemary needed one.

00:56:38.500 — 00:56:55.499
Scott MacMillan: And we do this while recognizing the privileges we have and ensuring that the barriers and stigmas we face are not... we face today aren't faced by anybody else tomorrow. And I want to thank everybody else here on the call today. You make a real difference in the lives of families like ours. Thank you.

00:56:55.660 — 00:56:56.490
Scott MacMillan: Thank you.

00:56:58.040 — 00:57:09.089
Laura Syron: Thank you so much, Scott. I'm actually tearing up a bit. I really appreciate that, and really lovely to see you, Rose. Thanks for your patience in sitting there.

00:57:09.090 — 00:57:31.970
Laura Syron: Our final award, is the Charles H. Best Award, and this one recognizes a healthcare professional who has made a significant difference in improving the quality of life of individuals living with diabetes throughout Canada. I am thrilled to announce that this year's recipient is Dr. Peter Senior and I see him there. For those who don't know Dr. Peter Senior he's an endocrinologist.

00:57:31.970 — 00:57:51.179
Laura Syron: who works in Edmonton, Alberta, and one of his specialties is with the clinical islet transplant program, at the University of Alberta. He has, it says here in my notes, he was part of the board of directors of Diabetes Canada for six years. What I would say is Peter was actually chair of it for 3, and so my boss.

00:57:51.180 — 00:58:15.290
Laura Syron: For 3 of those years. He's also, currently, he retired off the board, but sits on our mission committee. I just want to give some perspective, so while he was chair of the board, and now on mission committee, he also has a full roster of patients, he is an endocrinologist, and he also runs a research lab. So, he wears many hats, and,

00:58:15.340 — 00:58:20.420
Laura Syron: Is, an incredibly, strong advocate

00:58:20.420 — 00:58:45.380
Laura Syron: for his patients, but also for all of us who live with diabetes. So, he's, served many roles here. I almost... he has been on clinical practice guidelines and chair of professional section and on the board. But also, was it 2 or 3 years ago now, Lauren? He agreed to be the, camp director of Camp Jane Nelson, so he stepped in in another way, and got involved, at, at one of our camps.

00:58:45.380 — 00:58:58.919
Laura Syron: really making sure about, focus on improving the quality of life of youth living with diabetes. So, Peter, was previously a National Volunteer of the Year award recipient, and I was

00:58:58.920 — 00:59:15.669
Laura Syron: Happy to nominate him for that, and thrilled that we were able to nominate and win for the Charles Best Awards. So, there are many things I could say about Peter, but I would love to just let Peter say a few things. So congratulations, Peter, so well, well deserved, and over to you.

00:59:18.160 — 00:59:21.460
Dr. Peter Senior: Thank you so much, Laura, and everybody, and I did blow up my balloon the other.

00:59:21.460 — 00:59:22.140
Laura Syron: (laughs)

00:59:22.140 — 00:59:29.009
Dr. Peter Senior: I've got a hole in it, but I don't think that's illustrative of anything. So just to say that

00:59:29.370 — 00:59:34.469
Dr. Peter Senior: You know, I've worked in diabetes for a long time, probably coming up on 30 years.

00:59:35.310 — 00:59:48.790
Dr. Peter Senior: But anything that I give back is really because of what I've been taught and received from working with people with diabetes. I've made lots of mistakes, made assumptions, underestimated the burden of living with diabetes, but have

00:59:48.910 — 00:59:53.719
Dr. Peter Senior: Hopefully, slowly and surely learn the lesson of how challenging that is.

00:59:54.210 — 01:00:00.500
Dr. Peter Senior: And that, coupled with this sort of deep dissatisfaction with the status quo, people deserve better.

01:00:00.850 — 01:00:06.750
Dr. Peter Senior: People need better. People would like not to have diabetes, and that has really driven

01:00:07.350 — 01:00:16.669
Dr. Peter Senior: the research work that I do, and envisaging a world where we could remove the need for insulin injections seems like science fiction.

01:00:17.630 — 01:00:28.830
Dr. Peter Senior: And some of our work has been moving us towards that becoming a reality for some people. And witnessing the transformation of lives, of people who've had very troublesome

01:00:29.110 — 01:00:36.880
Dr. Peter Senior: Hypoglycemia, who then can be free without the need for insulin, has really been a great privilege for me.

01:00:37.370 — 01:00:40.329
Dr. Peter Senior: But I've also wanted to make a difference for people

01:00:40.830 — 01:00:54.509
Dr. Peter Senior: across the board, and it's not always about doing the fancy stuff, sometimes it's about doing the basics well, and certainly with compassion. So as I teach and train healthcare providers, I try to

01:00:55.160 — 01:01:00.259
Dr. Peter Senior: I guess, model the compassion that I would like to receive if I lived with diabetes.

01:01:00.480 — 01:01:05.779
Dr. Peter Senior: And so I want to thank Laura and all the team at Diabetes Canada

01:01:06.310 — 01:01:16.280
Dr. Peter Senior: for, you know, this nomination and the recognition. It's not unappreciated, it's very much appreciated

01:01:16.400 — 01:01:19.620
Dr. Peter Senior: But again, it just seems like a small contribution

01:01:19.840 — 01:01:24.430
Dr. Peter Senior: Compared to the effort that people have to put in day in, day out for a disease they didn't ask for.

01:01:24.680 — 01:01:33.559
Dr. Peter Senior: And, with that, I'll close, but I hope this will inspire other people to lean in, because a complex problem needs lots of effort.

01:01:33.680 — 01:01:45.480
Dr. Peter Senior: And we all have a role to play, no matter how big or small we think that is, and I've been very pleased to play a part and hope that I continue to make useful contributions in the future. Thank you.

01:01:45.910 — 01:01:52.579
Laura Syron: Thank you so much, Peter, and you absolutely have made useful contributions, and love what you say. As someone who lives with diabetes.

01:01:52.580 — 01:02:16.150
Laura Syron: honestly, it's so rewarding to hear a clinician talk about, you know, reflecting back the reality of doing that, and wishing that, you know, we can all work together to create a world where we don't need to do that anymore. That's what we want to do. So, congratulations to all of you on this call. I hope you enjoy the swag, I hope you pop your popcorn, I hope you have your balloons.

01:02:16.150 — 01:02:21.199
Laura Syron: But I also hope you know how much gratitude we have for you.

01:02:21.200 — 01:02:29.050
Laura Syron: That your commitment not only helps advance our mission, but inspires others, as Peter was talking about. When people see

01:02:29.050 — 01:02:46.330
Laura Syron: great people like you volunteering, more people will step up to do that, and that's what we do... what we need to have happen. So, thank you for joining us today, for being such an essential part of what we do here at Diabetes Canada, and I think for just final remarks, I'm turning it over to Jeff.

01:02:47.670 — 01:02:59.559
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Thanks so much, Laura. Congratulations again to all of you for your impact and your contributions, and for making this a better place for all of us. And so, thank you so much, and thank you

01:02:59.560 — 01:03:11.300
Jeff Abraham, CVA: I want to give a few shout-outs, so thank you to our DC Volunteer Engagement Committee, as well as our Awards Committee, specifically Pamela, Alison, Lisa, Matthew, and Grant.

01:03:11.300 — 01:03:28.720
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Also, to all the DC staff who presented today, thank you so much for taking time to do that. Thank you to the backup and tech team from the people and culture team, Linda, Daman, Catherine, and Heather. Our volunteer award recipients, thank you for inspiring us with what you do.

01:03:28.760 — 01:03:46.739
Jeff Abraham, CVA: Everyone who nominated a volunteer, whether you're a staff or a volunteer, thank you for taking the time to do that. And all of our volunteers, whether you're nominated, you won an award, or you're a volunteer who's here every day making a difference, thank you for making a difference with all the work that you do.