Renee is a diabetic educator at Tampa General Hospital. I have been living with type 2 for 17 years and have not moved past the pills thanks in part to her help and encouragement. She works tirelessly to educate the public and help everyone, regardless of availability of funds with valuable information, monitors, guidance.

On 21 December 2004 I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. On 22 December I began a walk-to-run program to take control of my life. In February 2005 I joined Team Diabetes to raise funds and awareness of diabetes by completing the Honolulu Marathon on 11 December 2005. By July 2006 my diabetologist advised me that I no longer needed to take my metformin, that diet and exercise were sufficient to control my condition.

Meanwhile, I have been doing what I can to help educate others and to assist others in making the necessary lifestyle changes to maintain good health. I have participated as a group run leader in all four of the Cornwall Multisport Club Learn to Run clinics. I am a member of the Canadian Diabetes Association and assist where I can with their programs. I am considering running the Ottawa Half-Marathon in May 2010 with Team Diabetes to help celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Team.

I am the mother of a juvenile diabetes champion. I believe we worked together to successfully manage his diabetes when he was diagnosed the at the age of fourteen. He lives a healthy and active lifestyle and is living his life to the fullest. It has not stopped him from living and he takes nothing for granted. At this time in his life he walks the annual Walk-a-Thon in June each year and we give a monthly donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

I believe this person is a champion for many reasons. They have worked hard on controlling their diabetes through diet, exercise and a good insulin regimen. This person is also becoming an RCMP officer. They had worked hard over the past year with various tests, controlling their diabetes, and as well being a counselor for diabetes camp and organizing a fundraiser for the Canadian Diabetes program.

59 home care worker, grandmother and Team Diabetes participant

“I have (type 2) diabetes, and it runs in my family. A couple of years back, I heard about (the Canadian Diabetes Association’s) Team Diabetes and had been curious about the program. A first-time runner, I’m training for the Honolulu Marathon. I’m a Diabetes Champion for my sister, cousin, nephew…and all of my family, really.”