My name is Benjamin, and I am Diabetes Champion. Diagnosed 10 years ago, at age 12, Diabetes had an adverse effect on not only myself, but my family and friends as well. However, instead of letting diabetes control my life, I took control of my diabetes and turned it into a positive life-long experience.

It has motivated me to live life to the fullest and to take advantage of every opportunity available. To really appreciate my friends and family who have supported me constantly. It gave me a great understanding of how delicate we are, and how important it is to make the most of what we have.

I would like to declare Dodi Forbes and Liz Taylor to be Diabetes Champions. Dodi is the person who runs the Canadian Diabetes Association store in Victoria BC and Liz is the store assistant. Between them they have over 30 years working in the store. They are Champions because they go above and beyond the call of duty. The store is much more than just an excellent retail outlet. They provide morale support and expert advice on the products. Every day people leave the store feeling better than when they come in, especially those who have been newly diagnosed and seniors who need some reassurance and often, just someone to listen to their troubles. Dodi and Liz are real treasures!

My sister Jillian is a social worker in Roddickton, Newfoundland, and, a Diabetes Champion. In September of 2008 she was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. At first it was very difficult news to handle. We were also dealing with the fact that our grandmother and I (her brother) were living with heart conditions, our grandfather diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and our mother diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

With her strong attitude she vowed not to let her condition slow her down. Along with her medication she decided to regain control of her weight. In only one year she had lost 76 pounds and was still working to lose more.

While here in New Brunswick, I too am helping with the fight. Creating a new charity known as P.H.A.D. (Parkinson’s, Heart Defects, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes). Using Jillian’s experiences and my organizational skills and outlets, we have gathered sponsors and lectures to inform the public on each diagnosis, the organizations which work to solve them, ad to raise funds to support them.

Jillian is an inspiration as she is constantly showing that having Diabetes doesn’t mean that your life needs to stop. She is still currently working full-time as social worker, and enjoys several activities on a regular basis. She is also active in her community as she is attempting to organize fundraisers for Diabetes research.

I am a Diabetes RESEARCH Champion because I believe that through support and execution of JDRF’s research mission, we will find a cure.

Ann is a Diabetes Champion!  Ann has participated in 8 Team Diabetes marathons – all but one of which were international events. She went to Easter Island and Victoria this year with Team Diabetes and is currently fundraising to go to Rio in June 2010. Ann is a tireless volunteer and advocate for people with diabetes. The mayor of Campbell River has signed a proclamation proclaiming World Diabetes Day for the past 3 years at Ann’s request. Ann has also arranged World Diabetes Day events and public blue lightings to raise more awareness. She is a great supporter and fundraiser (just try out one of her amazing cookbooks) and one of the nicest people you could meet.

Just over two years ago, I was overweight, feeling depressed and not really taking care of myself.  Now, I’m a Diabetes Champion.  Everything changed in May 2008, when I got a severe infection in my right leg where I could have lost my leg or worse.  The doctors told me I had pre-diabetes.

That’s what I call a huge wake-up call to take care of myself. I stayed 5 weeks in the hospital where they taught me how to deal with the disease. I had to learn to walk again and it took me a year and half to fully recover.   I learned to eat right and I started to workout with a personal trainer 3 times a week and so far, I lost 35 pounds. I’m able to control my diabetes and hopefully, I’ll be able to prevent type 2 diabetes.

When I left the hospital a year and a half ago, I was taking 1 pill a day to control my sugar level. Today, I’m only taking a half a day, and my goal is to get rid of it altogether. I’m also volunteering for the Canadian Diabetes Association. It really helps me to learn about the disease and it gives me the occasion to meet extraordinary people.

Monica is a Diabetes Champion….she is always involved with her community, and is constantly fundraising and promoting events that raise awareness about diabetes. She is a beautiful individual, always positive and cheerful no matter how difficult she finds living with diabetes. Everyone can learn a lesson from this awesome chick!

William Ho and his mother are Diabetes Champions…For fifteen years, William Ho, a local TV personality watched his mother live with diabetes. The onset was later in life- very typical of type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population. At first, diabetes did not really change her life, and with the support of her loving family she was able to manage the disease and still live a full life. However, about 5 years ago when William was busy organizing a concert to celebrate his 25 years in show business, his mother’s diabetes worsened and she ended up in the hospital emergency.

William loves his mother dearly. He was prepared to cancel the performance right away to take care of his mother. Luckily his mother’s situation improved and she was able to live happily for another few years, despite of the fact that she was receiving kidney dialysis in her last few months.

“In the last few years of my mother’s life, I was taking care of her. She enjoyed my cooking, and I always cooked her healthy tasty meals, and helped her make healthy choices when eating out,” said William. William was also the one driving his mother to the hospital or to other activities until she passed away peacefully.

“So when I look back I have no regret. I’ve done my best to take care of my mom,” said William. “Diabetes is serious. I will urge everyone to learn everything about diabetes, either to prevent it or to manage it. Throughout all the present research projects, I hope that a cure will be found one day.”

I am a Diabetes Champion at the Upper River Valley Hospital in New Brunswick because I work everyday as a Diabetes Nurse Educator with patients who are living with Diabetes.

My champion and example is my grandmother Hilda Woodward who was diagnosed with Diabetes as a young woman when treatment was not as advanced as it is today. She developed many complications from Diabetes including bilateral below the knee amputaions. She loved life and lived everyday as a Champion for her family and myself as her eldest granddaughter. I am a nurse today because of my time as a teenager that I spent looking after my grandmother.I am a Diabetes Nurse Educator today because of the heartfelt desire I have to educate and make a difference in my patients and fellow staff around me as we try to change the face of Diabetes on a day to day basis. I want to assist my patients to early gain better gylcemic control so that the chance of complications is lessoned for them in honor of my Diabetes Champion -my grandmother. She passed away in 1980 just before my high school graduation and there is not a day I do not remember this remarkable woman.

In October I had the opportunity to attend the 20th World Congress- International Diabetes Federation in Montreal Quebec. There was 623 participants and I was the first overall walker to cross the finish line and the only winner from my province of New Brunswick. I was proud to walk in memory of my grandmother and in honor of my patients in New Brunswick who have taught me many lessons about Diabetes. They are the real educators and each one a Diabetes Champion.

Patty West has been an avid supporter of the Canadian Diabetes Association for many years. She continually supports the Association by encouraging students at Gananoque Secondary School to become involved in their community by supporting persons affected with diabetes. This is done through their continued participating of the annual residential door-to-door campaign. This year, through Patty’s hard work and dedication, a record $1500 was raised in support of the Associations’ mission and vision. Patty West is truly a Diabetes Champion and an inspiration to everyone she meets!