Terri-Lynn together with her daughters host a dart tournament in Prescott Ontario in Support of the Canadian Diabetes Association in memory of their husband/ father Tom Beach.

What began as a way to remember Terri’s husband and celebrate his memory has turned into a wonderful event held in Prescott each year.

Tom Beach was an avid dart player and so the tournament is a wonderful way for Terri, family and friends to celebrate and a chance for the family to support the work done by CDA.

Each year the event continues to grow and the Beach Family has raised over $9,000 for the Association.

Thanks to Terri-Lynn and her daughters for their continued support.

Don Mann exemplifies the true meaning of a Volunteer. Don is our Regional Chair for South East Ontario and has just started his second year as a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

I personally wonder where Don finds the time to do everything he does for the Association and especially the region. Don sits on many committees representing the Volunteers and the Association, internal to our group as well as with our external partners; he works our displays, is a Learning Series presenter, a member of our Advocacy Team and a general spokesman for diabetes everywhere he goes.

I am honoured to work along side of Don and to learn from his experience and dedication to the Association.

Thank you Don for everything you have done and continue to do fto ight for our cause and support people affected by diabetes.

Siobhan has been living with type 1 diabetes since age 7. Her goal is to be a “normal” kid, and she doesn’t let diabetes slow her down! She swims and plays sports at school, goes to camp and hangs out with her friends, just like all kids her age. She also does a great job managing her diabetes with the help of her family. To us, Siobhan is a champion in every sense of the word!

I have had type one diabetes since I was six years old. Twenty years later I can honestly say that living with diabetes has not always been an easy task but with hard work and strong support (like my parents and grandparents) life can be lived quite fully:). I always had a dream to become a diabetes educator since I was a child (aspiring to be a nurse just like Donna Hagerty). I can very happily say that today I am a diabetes educator and truly love going to work every morning to give people facing diabetes not only the facts but also a personal point of view. I am a Diabetes Champion!!! I hope that everyone with diabetes finds their inner champion.

Darius is our son and he is 9 years old.

Just a regular 9 year old — loves video games, reading, arguing with his parents, goofing off and being the best kid that one can have.

Then one day in 2009 he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and everything changes forever – the shots, the testing, the stress, the food regimen….

For us, the burden seemed enormous, cruel and unfair. For this kid, just another speed bump in the road of life – no complaints about pricks or whining about food ….simply curiosity, acceptance and a great spirit!

Just a regular 9 year old….one who continues to be who he is and bears this burden lightly – reminding us everyday why he is our hero.

Hi, I’m Michael and I am a Diabetes Champion. Even though I am only 9 years old, I have taken control of my Diabetes and I have learned to deal with it in a very responsible way. I always check my blood levels, I give myself insulin and have learned how to use the insulin pump, I eat very well, and I have the will power to say “NO” to all those incredibly great tasting sweets….because I want to be healthy.

I am a Diabetes Champion because I am an athlete. I train hard, I play hard and I don’t let Diabetes stand in my way. I run track and field, I play high level soccer and I participate in many other sports. I rule, not Diabetes.

I am a Diabetes Champion because I am an advocate. I met with my M.P. and discussed how I would like more government funding, I have used my knowledge about the disease to teach others about diabetes, I have given many speeches in public to let people know how it is to live with Diabetes and I have also raised a lot of money by putting on many fundraising events with my family.

I believe that I am a Diabetes Champion because I believe that I have already made a big difference in the world already and I will continue to do so.

Michael

Sandy Kenefick has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was a teenager and has managed it impeccably ever since. While she has just passed her 50th birthday, she has committed herself to being a dominant force against the disease. In the summer of 2003, she hiked the entire Chilkoot trail along the Yukon/Alaska border — a week in the wilderness with nothing but a backpack and extra vials of insulin. The year following, she trained and ran the full 2004 Vancouver Marathon in just over four hours. Since then, she runs constantly, filing away half-marathons, fun-runs and everything in between. This past summer, she hiked the length of the West Coast trail along the north of Vancouver Island. Another week in the wilderness with a backpack and a camera. She manages two successful businesses, raised a daughter, looks after two energetic dogs, eats healthy, smiles often, and is the kindest, most positive person I’ve every known. She also volunteers at any fundraiser for diabetes that presents itself. I often forget she does all of this while juggling the horrors of her disease. (She also makes a wicked butternut squash soup!)

Iain is a great kid and never complains about caring for his diabetes, even though it is really difficult (especially around Hallowe’en and birthday parties). Last year, on World Diabetes Day, Iain was admitted to hospital with this diagnosis. All of us in our family, Mom, Dad, and brothers Nick and Will and hamster PO are very proud of how brave he has been and how he manages to keep on smiling no matter how tough things are!! We love you, Iain!!

My son Antonio is a Diabetes Champion. He was diagnosed when he was only five years of age. It was very hard to explain to him that diabetes would be part of his life from then on. Needles, pokes, lows, measuring food was a new world we were pushed into. But years have passed and he has learnt and also we have learnt to make his life as normal as it can be. He loves playing soccer everytime he can, at school and with his club team. He is now 11 and wears a Medtronic pump that has helped him manage his diabetes even better. There are days when he gets discouraged…he gets burned out….but after a few tears and long talks about his diabetes the brightness comes back to his dark eyes and he is ready to take the next day. Antonio you are my champion.

I am a Diabetes Champion because I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 25.

This revelation provided me with a more personalized connection to an issue that would allow me to share my grassroots energy and desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. I was previously named a Honourary Youth Advocate and represented the CDA as part of the inaugural UN World Diabetes Day.

I am currently working with the CDA but still enjoy finding time to volunteer, coach baseball, and participate in various community-based programs.

Despite the adversity, diabetes reawakened my senses and in the process connected me with some wonderful people (see Shawn Shepheard). It has also made me re-examine what it means to live life passionately and to embrace the unpredictable flow of each day with a sense of joy and happiness.