Hunter was diagnosed on June 26, 2004 at the age of 7 months. He was in DKA when he was brought to the hospital and spent the next 3 days in ICU. He was then transfered to the pediatric unit where he spent another 4 days. Throughout these days, he was poked and prodded over and over again, but he was a very brave and resilient little baby.
Today Hunter is a happy, healthy 6 year old. He went on the insulin pump at the age of 3, and has been using it ever since. He has learned to check his blood sugar, use the pump correctly inputing BG and carbs all on his own. He has also started carb counting.

I am nominating my son Hunter because of what a brave, resilient and intelligent little boy he has become. I am proud to call him my son

Because at age 4 Jesse was diagnosed with type 1, and thru the highs and lows, he’s been great.  Injection after injection he puts on a brave face and takes it like the trooper that he is.

The Bramalea Community Health Centre staff are my champions because….. Not only did they 100% support wearing blue for diabetes day November 2009, but to celebrate diabetes month the staff became PLoWD (person living with diabetes).
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 36 years ago. My son was diagnosed 1 year ago Mother’s Day. Having heard many variations on “you should be doing this” or “why aren’t you doing that” I began to think, would you be able to do what you are asking others to do? This then lead to the development of the “Walking in my shoes” experience.
The Medical Office Assistants, Physiotherapist, Social Worker, RNs, N.Ps, Physicians, Community Health Educators, Data Manager, Health Promoter, and Management all had the opportunity to experience the day to day regime from the perspective of someone living with diabetes.
Individuals chose either multiple daily injection (dry injections 4 times a day) or insulin pump (saline was substituted for insulin). They were given training from the Diabetes Team Dietitians and RNs on treatment, management, and nutrition. Some were placed on medication regimes (tic tacs). All were trained on meter testing and requested to test 3-4 times a day minimum. All were given 3-4 envelopes to be opened at specific times. The contents would read “your blood sugar is 2.4mmol/L. Treat with the enclosed dextrose tablets (sweet tarts) and follow the instructions on “treatment of a low blood sugar”. Everyone found it to be an invaluable experience. All reported how challenging it was.
I would like to thank my wonderful DEP team that listened to my crazy ideas and through creative collaboration made this event better than I would have imagined.
A special thank you goes to Angela Roode from Medtronic, Salim Lakhani from Sanofi-Aventis, and from Bayer. Your support and contributions were immeasurable.
I would like to thank the Bramalea Community Health Centre’s Executive Director Mayo Hawco for not rolling her eyes when I presented the idea, and for allowing us to take over the staff meeting without letting the cat out of the bag.
Above all I would like to thank all the wonderful staff at BCHC for making this event so successful. They went above and beyond what most would do to experience some of the day in and day out challenges those of us face living with diabetes.
They all are true Diabetes CHAMPIONS!

Ethan was diagnosed with Type 1 at age 3. Now 10 years old, he has never let Diabetes bring him down or stop him from getting all he can out of life. Since 2004 he has helped raised a total of almost $15,000 for the Brantford Walk to Cure Diabetes. This is our third year as Team E-FORCE for the Walk with last years roster at 27 walkers. Ethan has competed in for many seasons of Ball Hockey and taken part in various charity Tournaments including the JDRF Welland Tournament in 2009 to raise money for the Boston Pizza Foundation for JDRF, all three Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournaments so far and the Ontario Road Breakers Street Hockey Charity Tourneys. We always hear what Diabetes takes from our children and their families but it also gives back to us as well. Among bringing families cl oser together and truly making you realize what really matters in life, it makes you aware that their are many diseases that you forget about just because they do not affect you personally. It opens your eyes to more than just yourself and diabetes. It has also given Ethan many great experiences including the opportunity and privilege of meeting many people incl Walter Gretzky at tournaments, country singer George Canyon to discuss life with an insulin pump and many local Dignitaries. He has practiced with the Blue Jays on field, been chosen Athlete of the Week for the Tournament Capital of Ontario website including on-camera interview and even participated in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies when it passed through town. Ethan has gone from a shy boy to a kind, active and involved young man who treats the people he meets in life with care and respect. He is our Diabetes Champion every day.

My son Caleb was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on October 18, 2009 at the age of 5. It has been 5 months since his diagnosis and he is our Champion. His strong will and determination keeps us all focused and in key with the daily challenges that this disease has dealt us.

I’m a Diabetes Champion because I have lived with type 1 diabetes since I was 15 yrs old and I’m now 27. I’ve come a long way since I was first diagnosed. I live by these words: “I have diabetes…diabetes DOES NOT have me!” It makes me smile when I have a rough day dealing with it.

Because he’s my father and he’s pretty courageous to continue to live a normal life, as normal as possible.

Julie is a mom of 3 children with type 1 diabetes. Julie’s daughter went on the insulin pump when she was 3 years old and Julie couldn’t find a fun way for her to wear her insulin pump so her best friend and her created Pump Wear Inc., over the years, Julie has provided a constant source of fun creative ways to wear an insulin pump, along with diabetes awareness items, she has supported fund raising efforts to find a cure for diabetes, has instituted the wall of change on her website to earn funds for jdrf and has over the past year helped to sponsor a free family weekend for over 15 families totally free to beable to get away and bond with other families.

For more information, visit www.pumpwearinc.com

Dawn

Stephanie is a type 1 diabetic for 2 years and she smiles and keeps her head up high and dreams about a cure and she tries her very best to be happy. But as her friend its kinda hard to watch a 14 year old girl like Stephanie do something so big and hard its hurts me inside and out but I know she is a hero.

I think she is a Champion to me.This is picture of her i hope she can be your next champion.

Brianna is a Diabetes Champion…she is my sister and her son Isaiah has Type One Diabetes. Since his diagnosis, she has taken it upon herself to learn everything she can to keep him healthy, and to fundraise in any ways she can to find a cure. She is very vocal in the school system to make sure school is a safe place for people living with type one diabetes. She also helps to ensure that eduaction is happening at the shool levels to ensure their saftey. She is an amazing mother and advocate and deserves to be recognized as a Diabetes Champion.