Cathy is a champion because she is a mom of a child who has type 1 diabetes. Cathy is also the head volunteer at the Kawarthas Branch of the CDA and the longest standing volunteer at the branch. She is a very valuable asset to CDA.
Lynne has been living with diabetes for quite some time and is a new volunteer at the Kawarthas Branch of the CDA. She has a very positive aproach and is a lovely person to have at the CDA office. We love having her here.
Dan Makinson (2nd one on the left) is a diabetes champion. A close friend who has just been diagnosed with diabetes and has accepted the change in lifestyle, but it hasn’t changed his spirit. Dan holds a golf tournament annually and next years golf tournament he plan to raise money for the Canadian Diabetes Asc.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MY MOTHER BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING FOR SO MANY YEARS AND SHE IS ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN SHE HAS TO DO HER DIABETES VOLUNTEERING…MY NANNY IS DIABETIC AND MY COUSIN IS TYPE 1 AND MY NANNY IS TYPE 2 AND I ADMIRE HOW MY MOTHER DEVOTE HER TIME TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. MY MOM IS THE BEST!
Mike is an unassuming man who works hard in the South East Ontario Region behind-the-scenes. Mike has personally supported one of our largest fundraising events (the Taste of Kingston Food Festival) since its inception 11 years ago. Through this work, he has raised thousands of dollars for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
As the Regional Director of South East Ontario, I am continually impressed with Mike’s quiet effectiveness. Considered outgoing and larger than life by some, he is also a man who is not looking to be in the limelight. Mike enjoys helping the Canadian Diabetes Association. He works quietly and professionally at all times.
Mike started a new fundraiser the fall of 2009. At that time, he took it upon himself to combine his passion for walking with his passion for CDA. He walked 30 km and raised more than $3,200 dollars.
I am proud to say I know Mike Nimeh. It is an honour to call him a friend and a champion of our work.
When I think of what a Diabetes Champion should embody, the first thing that comes to mind is my mother. From the moment I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of eighteen (almost 12 years ago), she has been my motivator, my nurse, my supporter, my personal researcher and so much more.
Her relentless reminders, questions and newspaper clippings, which at times aggravated me during my younger years, always helped me stay on-top of my health. She always remembered during times I wanted to forget.
I’m happy to say I am living a very well managed life with diabetes, and I owe it to her guidance, persistence and help all these years. I couldn’t have done it without her.
This guy has been a canvasser for the Canadian Diabetes Associaiton for 5 years at least. He enthusiastically gets out to canvass for support.
He says while there is no diabetes in his close family; his extended family has been hurt in a big way by diabetes. Part of his extended family is Aboriginal and he has heard of many ‘far too early deaths’ of Aboriginal people close to his extended family.
He has also worked the last five years each year for the Eastern Ontario Office of the Canadian Diabetes Association helping us find canvassers for our residential campaign.
Faye McAvoy, along with her entire family have hosted a golf tournament in Support of the Canadian Diabetes Association for a number of years raising thousands of dollars for the Association.
Each year a number of OPPA members, friends and family get together for a full day of golf and fun. Along with arranging the day of golf, Faye spends endless hours collecting prizes, goodie bag items, raffle prizes and silent auction items.
To me, the true meaning of a Diabetes Champion is someone like Faye who gives so generously of her time to support the Association time and time again.
Faye enjoys working the tournament and this gives her a chance to support the members of her family that are affected by diabetes.
Thank you Faye!
Caje is our Supervisor of IT Services with the Association and has always gone above and beyond to support the people working out in the field.
How many I.T. people would give you their personal cell number and tell you to call him any time there is a problem and he will be there to help. Evenings, weekends, they mean nothing when it comes to Caje helping us to get the work of CDA done.
For all of his support and assistance throughout the year, I think Caje makes a great candidate as a Diabetes Champion.
Thanks Caje for everything for all the staff in South East Ontario!
Margaret Little, Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator
I have had the honour and privilege of working with Margaret over the past 10 years. She is a very valued and respected, longtime volunteer. Margaret gives freely of her time and energy and she has a keen sense of wanting to help this Association accomplish its mission and she has a true compassion for people living with diabetes.
Margaret has been a passionate, active volunteer since 1978. She has devoted over 30 years, volunteering for the Canadian Diabetes Association and she doesn’t think about what she does for people with diabetes, she just does it.
She served as the President of the Kingston Branch Executive from 1986-1987, and from 1988-1993 she was the
Eastern Ontario Regional Representative.
Along with many Professional Service and Achievement Awards; Margaret received the Prestigious Charles H Best
Award from our National office in 2003, for demonstrating immeasurable commitment and dedication to this
Association.
Margaret continues to provide positive and helpful advice and direction when developing the year’s information sessions and Expos.
Submitted by April McCann
Public Programs and Services Coordinator
