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.

I am a Diabetes Champion through my practice as a Nurse Certified Diabetes Educator working in family doctors offices. I bring diabetes education into the community by counseling people with diabetes in their family doctors office and collaborating with the doctor in their management. Having me in the office provides the doctor and patient both access to a “diabetes expert” that helps to support them in their self management goals and keep them abreast of what is new or emerging in diabetes treatment.

I am also active as a volunteer both in the community as an advocate and with the Diabetes Educator Section of CDA where I work to provide educational opportunities for other healthcare providers with an interest in diabetes.

My name is Winnie Sampare and I was diagnosed with type two diabetes in 2005. I am a personal care aide for Gitsegukla Health,  and I have a list of Diabetes Champions.

• My diabetes clients are Diabetes Champions– there are 27 of them in my hometown.
• Grace Janze Diabetes Educator -champion who taught me about diabetes when i was first diagnosed. I am her eyes and ears, I fax blood sugar results to her and conditions of clients.
• Boyanne Young- champion from Prince George B.C., diabetes branch coordinator, sends me pamphlets of all kinds for us to use at our health fair held every February 14th.
• Ms Wilma Hyslop;  Dr. David Maberly; Sandra Teegee;  Diabetes Champions, Carrier Sekani First Nations on reserve, Mobile Diabetes Telemedicine Care Clinic
• Debbie Sullivan CHN my supervisor and Diabetes Champion- She’s the one who has all kinds of ideas on what we should be doing at our February Health Fairs- I take blood sugar and blood pressures and we always have moosemeat stew and bannock and other healthy foods.
• Anne Howard – Health Director- Diabetes Champion – Supplies the funds and looks for sponsors for door prizes.
• Linda Greene and Lorie Mc Lean – Diabetes Champions- from Yellowquill College- who taught 10 students how to be Community Diabetes Prevention Workers!!

Thank-you to all!! From Winnie Sampare

Dean Johnston is a Diabetes Champion…

Allow me to introduce you to my dad, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1987. First it was how to manage a disease within a disease while trying to achieve a balanced lifestyle; in which my dad has successfully done over the years. My dad has lived well with diabetes and has seen many positive changes for management of this chronic disorder. Dean has taken on the challenge and has not let this condition manage his life; he manages his condition. He is an advocate for individuals living with diabetes, he is my dad and friend and he is my hero.

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!

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.