My name is Cayden. I was born at 27 weeks and had many health problems. I have had 6 brain surgeries to deal with my Hydrocephalus. I also have lung disease. When I was three I got influenza real bad. Ilost alot of weight and also kept peeing everywhere. My Mom new something was wrong and took me to my pediatrician to get a blood test. I was rushed to the hospital 1 hour later with a blood glucose of 27!. I didnt like all the needles and pokes in my finger but boy did I ever feel better after. I had to stay in the Alberta Childrens Hospital for 8 days. But thats ok. I like it there and I know alot of people there. When I got to come home everyone would tear up when they seen me I didnt understand. Mom said that people just feel bad that I keep getting diseases and that I have to have needles. But Im ok with it causeI know it makes me feel better to have them. Im young but I reconize all my highs and lows. I even wake up at night to tell my Mom I need my Dex tablets!. I was a lucky boy when I came home. i got a wish granted through the Rainbow Society and I was able to have a cool birthday! I even to to eat cake…a big piece too! My Mom is doing alot of research on the Pancreatic islet cell transplant, she says it is hope for the future. Im hoping that I can have a pump in a few years. I see other kids with them, they look cool. Im only 4 and have been diabetic for 8 months now but I dont let it get me down. I know that I need it and my Mom is pretty good with my pens so it doesnt hurt too bad. I go to school and do everything other kids do. I just have my “betes” bag with my special snack that I bring with me. When my friends get mad at school cause I get to eat I just tell them “I have to eat I have diabetes, I will get sick if I dont” They dont understand but my teacher Steve does and he is a great help. My name is Cayden, Im 4. I have a shunt in my brain and take insulin to keep me alive. Please dont pity me or feel sorry for me. I have an amazing life and story. My mom says I will grow to inspire people and give hope as I have already done. I dont know what that means but I like my life. Im a happy boy.

On November 14, 2011, Ivanka Lupenec from the Canadian Diabetes Association joined 30 eager children and staff at a local Vancouver BC childcare centre to celebrate World Diabetes Day. These wide eyed, very attentive children learned about diabetes, the 90th Anniversary of the Discovery of Insulin in Canada, and what they will do to bring diabetes awareness to their families and in their community. They are young diabetes champions who will spread the word and make a difference!

I nominate my 14 year old son Trevor. Trevor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 4 days before Christmas 2005 at the age of 8.

I was always proud of my child as any mother can be, but I never realized his strength, maturity at early age and his positive attitude till that day….the minute we found out and were checked into the ER our world changed. I felt like the walls were closing in on me, but not him….not my son.

He never complained about the needles, he wanted to learn everything about his disease and taking care of himself. I never saw him cry the first week in the hospital. He was strong and he was the one who was there for me. If it wasn’t for Trevor and his attitude I don’t know how we would survive the first months after his diagnoses.

My strong 8 year old boy left the hospital doing his own insulin shots and checking his on BG.

On December 23rd we were given few hours pass to do some shopping and see if he feels comfortable to be discharged. Instead of asking for Christmas presents Trevor asked me to buy toys and games for sick children so he can put them under the Christmas tree at the Pediatrics. I was so proud.

Trevor was discharged on Christmas morning 2005. Ever since then he had many ups and down. He had to deal with bullying due to diabetes. He stop getting invitations to birthday parties and sleepovers. He was penalized by our local minor hockey he played for, he was dragged across the school by a teacher after he went unconscious.

Despite it all Trevor grew up to be a strong and self- confident teenager with Type 1 diabetes. He is going through a rebellious streak right now, but he tries very hard to do what he can with what he was given.

I am nominating my son today, because I want him to know how proud I am of him….how proud we all are of him and that he is truly my hero and my rock.

I, have a grand-daughter who is 11years old .She has had type1 diabetes for 7years now and I, think she is one of the bravest children I know. This year her school,Digby elementry is going to have the children wear blue in november to bring awarness to world diabetes day.

Oct 19th,2011 I decided to turn my life around. I started an exercise and diet routine. I eat more fruit and vegetables than normal. I try to keep the bulk of my intake to plant based foods. I aquafit 5 times a week and walk occasionally. I am only just over 3 weeks into it but have been able to reduce my insulin to almost nothing. My #s are almost perfect. I challenged myself on Facebook to lose 100 lbs. I am on my way. I feel great. I have a great support team including my friends a the The Diabetic Center at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. I encourage all to seek out the Diabetic Center in their area for assistance. They are my professionals and so helpful. I love life and all it has to offer. I just want to be around for my fair share of it and my Grandchildren love their Grandma!

I am the mother of two chidren who were daignosed within a year of each other, (type 1) I call them both my Champions, they are both very good with their condition, dealing with it evey day as best possible. My son is on the pump, and my daughter has chosen to do injections every day. I can honestly say it is not easy, but they treat each day as any other normal child would, yet they have to make time for blood readings, insulin dosage and counting their carbs, again all in a day of trying to be normal. we are having a coffee morning here on Monday at our house for World Diabetes Day and people are coming to join us for a cup of coffee and cake, and will be donating to a good cause. we have printed information for people to read and explain to them the differnece in the two types of Diabetes, we will also offer to check their sugars, just so they can experience what a Diabetic does each day. I am very proud of my two children as at times I know it isnt easy, but they both know there are people worse off in life than they are. May Thanks Evelyn.

Jonathon is my son. In March of 2009 he was diagnosed with Type 1. He was only four yares old. He took it better than we did. I think he understood that the insulin he was getting was going to make him feel better. Jonathon has never been scared of anything diabetes related. On Dec. 23rd 2010 Jonathon recieved the Insulin pump. He said it was the best Christmas present he could ever get. Jonathon is always willing to talk to anyone about his diabetes. When kids in his class ask him about testing his sugar or about his pump he tells all about it. My favorite response has to be when he tells people about his pump. he says ” Your body gives you insulin inside your body. Mine comes from right here” pointing to his pump. On monday Nov. 14 Jonathon and I will be going from class to class at his school to educate the children about Type 1 & 2 Diabetes. He is my hero, never complains about all the testing and needles. He just does it because that what has to be done to feel better. In the 2 yrs since his diagnosis I have learned so much about Diabetes. But the most important thing I have learned is that Jonathon is still a healthy, vibrant, awesome kid.

I have been LIVING with Type 1 Diabetes for 23 years! I have 2 beautiful children, an amazing husband and a dog. I am an avid runner, just completing my 9 th 1/2 marathon with a new PB of 1:40. I do all of these things while constantly monitoring my glucose and relying on my insulin pump to ensure a high quality of life. Diabetes is a challenge that I conquer daily with a positive attitude and the desire to be strong and healthy!

At the age of 8 my parents knew there was something wrong when I started to lose weight and sleep all the time. My parents believed I had the flu and they hoped with Christmas around the corner, that I would snap out of it. Instead I continued to get worse and after sleeping through Christmas and New Years, ignoring all my new toys and losing almost half my body weight my parents knew the problem was far worse than the flu.

I was taken to see our family doctor the very first day his practice opened in the New Year. I was examined, weighed, given blood work and sent home to await the results. When my father laid me on our couch that day and kissed me goodbye before leaving for a business trip he never imagined that less than 8 hours later our lives would change forever.

On January 2, 1990 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

It is with mixed emotions that I reflect on the last 20 years of my life and what it has been like living with this chronic disease. In the past 20 years I have had over 29,000 injections, tested my glucose over 36,000 times, and used 9 different types of insulin and 10 different glucose meters. I have had to use Glucagon (instant glucose, injected to raise blood glucose in patients who have lost consciousness due to hypoglycemia) 5 times and have had over 40 hospital visits.

As scary as all that sounds with the support of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have lived the last 20 years without complications.

Because of the research efforts of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have had access to the best medications, devices and supplies and I have hope that a cure will be found in my lifetime. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association my family was able to send me to Camp Huronda (residential summer camp for children living with type 1 diabetes) for 9 years something we would not have been able to afford on our own. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have met over 500 other young people living with diabetes and have been able to share our stories, struggles and triumphs. Because of the Canadian Diabetes Association I have a voice to aid in the fight against diabetes.

I developed diabetes at the age of 4 back in 1980. It was so uncommon for children at that time that it took our family doctor a ridiculous amount of time to diagnose. My parents feared I would never have a normal life. But…I am now 35 years old, I have two wonderful children (who are diabetes free!!!), a full time job, and have NO negative health problems stemming from diabetes! I am a champion because life with diabetes is tough…and I’ve made it this far!