Venesa Vallese is an extraordinary young woman who has has volunteered her time to the Canadian Diabetes Association as a receptionist and office assistant at our Nanaimo BC location for four hours a day, five days a week, for the past four years! Venesa also volunteers her time on weekends for special events. She has been instrumental in managing office volunteers as well as helping to recruit, train and support new volunteers. Venesa is the first person people come into contact with when they phone or visit the Nanaimo office and she makes everyone feel welcome. Venesa has also volunteered with the Diabetes Clothesline Program and fields questions on a regular basis about this program. Venesa is dedicated to educating people about prevention and management of diabetes.

Sue Taylor is a Diabetes Champion… Sue has made a valuable contribution to the Canadian Diabetes Association through her leadership of volunteers in the Vancouver Island Region. For over a year Sue was the volunteer administrator of the Learning Series and co-ordinated all community bookings as well as training a variety of community presenters. Over the past few years, Sue has delivered close to 100 presentations to a variety of community organizations and health care professionals. Sue has “Type 1.5″ Diabetes and was a Registered Nurse so is very knowledgeable about all aspects of diabetes. She is also an advocate and this year served as our Regional Delegate to the NAGM. Thank you Sue!

Gilles Provost is a true diabetes champion. For 52 days in July and August, he drove a support vehicle from Victoria, BC to Halifax, NS, supporting his son, Yves, who was raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Summer Surge fundraising campaign by cycling across Canada from coast to coast.

Gilles is 76 years old and has Type 2 diabetes.

First Gilles raised funds from his friends, colleagues and family. They he flew to Victoria from Laval, QC to quickly learn how to drive a car with a standard transmission! From the time Gilles and Yves left Victoria, Gilles went ahead 5 to 10 km at a time to map out the route and wait for Yves to ensure he was okay. His good humour and support, carried the two through many difficult, stressful times on the road.

Fifty-two days on the road saw the two men arrive safe and sound in Halifax, into the arms of family and friends, raising over $5000 to support the programs and services that the Canadian Diabetes Association provides to people with diabetes.

I am honoured to have met Mr. Provost. He has shown true altruism and put himself at personal risk to support his son and the cause. Gilles is a true Diabetes Champion.

A licensed physician in Canada, England, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Dr. Yang is a health organization’s dream volunteer. Holding exemplary credentials, including certifications in acupuncture, trauma life support and cardiac life support, not to mention passionately committed to social causes, Dr. Yang has been instrumental in helping the Canadian Diabetes Association build a bridge with the Chinese community.

Dr. Yang’s dedicated efforts with the Canadian Diabetes Association has led to the initiation of the Association’s Chinese language services the Association offers for Chinese-speaking people throughout Canada. The purpose of this program is to raise awareness about diabetes symptoms, prevention, self-management and public education in Chinese communities across Canada. He provides invaluable assistance in translating diabetes related literature and pamphlets, ensuring that the materials reach a broad population. In addition, he is a strong voice for the Association, continuing to promote awareness and prevention to the general public.

Dr. Yang continues to be actively involved in the Association’s annual Chinese expo, a popular event of education and information. He sits on the Chinese Program Advisory committee, serves as speaker, including the learning series presentations, and promotes the events to the Chinese media. He is also the top fundraiser of our summer surge campaign. Dr. Yang is a true diabetes champion.

Julie is a Diabetes Champion! Julie developed Type 1 Diabetes in her senior year of highscool. Not only was she dealing with many challenges academically by preparing for university, but she was automatically forced to change her lifestyle and way of living. Ever since Novemeber 2006, Julie has accepted her challenge and continued living a healthy life. She became involved with her local “JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes” two years ago to help spread the news about Type 1 DIabetes.

Last year she was an ambassador for the local committee upon which she shared her story and her strengths. She has become extremely passionate about diabetes awareness and informing others of the challenges she faces on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If she can change just one person’s views and understanding of diabetes then she is succeeding in her goal.

I am a Diabetes Champion because despite having been diagnosed at a very young age, I insist on living my life to the fullest. I do not believe in customizing my daily activities to fit into my diabetes care regimen, but rather, quite the opposite.

I hope that my activities as a JDRF volunteer will contribute to one day finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

In the meantime, I own my diabetes, it does not own me!

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.