“I am a third generation diabetic, diagnosed when I was 22 years of age. Due to my healthy lifestyle of daily exercise and proper diet I have been able to keep my diabetes well controlled for approximately 40 years. As a Champion for Diabetes, my motivation is mainly because of the consequences two of my older siblings (also diabetics) suffered due to making poor choices. Becoming educated about diabetes and the awareness of side effects if not controlled, would make us all Champions!”

Mike is my Diabetes Champion. He was diagnosed about 13 years ago and with his diagnosis we’ve learned a whole new life. We live healthier and have used his diabetes to connect not only with the CDA but with many community members through support groups, speaking engagements and Team Diabetes.

We’ve learned to LIVE with his diabetes. Mike’s positive attitude and willingness to help others has made us both better people and given us an awareness of how we can use this disease to help not only ourselves but others.

Frank is a valued member of Team Diabetes (www.teamdiabetes.ca), and when asked why he supports the cause he said: ” I am a Diabetes Champion because I believe that there will be a cure in my lifetime and all it takes is the dollars, the research and the focus to make this a reality. Along with many others, if I can make a small contribution through my fundraising activities and through running, then together, we can make a difference.

Pauline is a dedicated Certified Diabetes Educator for Campbell River and a passionate supporter and tireless advocate for people with diabetes. Among her many work- and volunteer-related activities, every year Pauline is the lead volunteer who organizes a volunteer team of professionals, arranges activities, and supports participants at a family camp on Quadra Island for kids with diabetes and their families. This camp has an incredibly positive impact on whomever has attended. I am honoured to know Pauline. She is a true inspiration.

“My oldest son was diagnosed last week at the age of 9 with type 1. I never knew strength until sitting in the hospital watching him take in his new life. He was confident and positive and reassured us everything was going to be okay. That it wasn’t a disease it was something else that made him unique and special. People kept asking me if I was devastated which of course I was at first. But how can you be devastated when the person it is affecting most is positive and calm. Our new family mantra is “things could always be worse”. I think those are wonderful words to live by!”

My daughter Charlotte is definitely a Diabetes Champion! Charlotte was diagnosed at 18 months and celebrated her 6th birthday in August. She has been on the pump for 2 1/2 years now. The reason I think she is a Champion is because she is so willing to share her story with others. She shows her pump for sharing at school, she explains how it works, and even lets her friends watch her do her site change. She also tests her own blood sugar, enters her own boluses and also is learning to calculate how many carbs she has in a meal. When she has met new kids with diabetes she is so reassuring to them and is never negative about having diabetes. She says she wants to be a “diabetes doctor” when she grows up!

“Vicky Leung, a person with type 2 diabetes, is a true Diabetes Champion. Upon diagnosis over 10 years ago, instead of feeling discouraged, Vicky actively sought help and information through many resources, one being from the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). After discovering the CDA in 1999, Vicky began her volunteer career with the Association’s Chinese services. She has dedicated hundreds of hours throughout her 10 years volunteering with CDA, contributing towards the Pacific Area Chinese Diabetes Information and Support Centre (DISC), at various outreach and community events delivering learning series presentations, and participating in public expos and educational forums. As a senior, experienced volunteer, she provides continuous support and feedback toward the ongoing operation of the DISC and its development of volunteers. Vicky plays an important role for customers who face barriers to our health care system because of language and cultural differences, providing guidance in an informed and empathic manner that reflects her wisdom, life experience, and newly gained knowledge which she continues to upgrade regularly. Vicky also volunteers with other health organizations in order to develop a more well-rounded knowledge about the body and mind to enhance her competence and volunteer experience with the Canadian Diabetes Association. Her volunteer experience with a senior peer counseling program also assists newly diagnosed people with diabetes feel her warmth and commitment. Vicky truly believes in helping others and not expecting anything in return. She strives to educate herself in order to share her knowledge with others through her work as a dedicated volunteer, and towards bringing hope to those with diabetes. Vicky does make a difference in many people’s lives and is a true Diabetes Champion.”

“My name is Cassandra Smith. I am a Diabetes Champion because ever since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 5 1/2 years ago at the age of 5, I have been raising money to help find a cure for diabetes and raising awareness about diabetes. I have been going on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Walk to Cure Diabetes.” I worked with my mom to create three children’s books about diabetes and did the illustrations. We sell these books and donate a portion of the sales to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I help set up fundraisers at my school and I am a youth ambassador with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I have also done a number of interviews.”

“Diane is a Diabetes Champion! She has been living with diabetes for 45 years. She has been through many changes in the treatment of diabetes and has been adapting to it. She is involved in helping others with diabetes. She is still dreaming for a cure.”

“Birdelene Hansen is a Diabetes Champion because she has been living with type 1 diabetes for 41 years. She carefully monitors her blood sugar every day, takes her insulin, ensures that she eats nutritious food and gets a lot of exercise. She has struggled with high and low blood sugars, but is a healthy diabetic with a positive attitude. She is a great role model for her 11-year-old great-granddaughter who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 5.”