Canadian Diabetes Association has a new Mission Statement

To lead the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure.

Are you a Diabetes Champion?

Visit www.worlddiabetes.ca and upload your story and or video and tell the world why you are a Diabetes Champion. You can also nominate someone you feel is a Diabetes Champion.

Marathon training program delivers diabetes awareness to the world for 10 years

It all started in the year 2000 when 25 people from across Canada embarked on a journey to the Dublin Marathon after training for the race and raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Since then, thousands of Canadians have been making a change in their life and the lives of people living with diabetes by walking, running or biking with Team Diabetes.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2010, Team Diabetes is the national activity fundraising program of the Canadian Diabetes Association. The program promotes a healthy and active lifestyle where people of all fitness levels have the opportunity to walk or run a full or half marathon or shorter distance race in exciting Canadian and international locations. Additional opportunities include hiking, mountain biking and cycling.

“Team Diabetes has a lot to celebrate in the upcoming year,” said Fred DeFina, Director, Team Diabetes. “I am proud to be part of a program that has grown from one team of 25 to over 4,000 participants and volunteers who enthusiastically dedicate themselves to setting positive examples in their community by raising funds for the Association, promoting our program and spread its message of the benefits of living an active lifestyle.”

Official anniversary celebrations will take place this May at the Ottawa and Calgary marathons. In addition, there is still time to join teams travelling to the Rio de Janeiro Marathon in June and the Reykjavik Marathon in August. Other 2010 event offerings include hiking the Grand Canyon and up two Costa Rican volcanoes as well as two long distance cycling events in the United States and two 24 hour adventure mountain biking events in Ontario.

“Over the last 10 years, Team Diabetes participants have raised more than $22 million in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association which provides leading-edge research support, outreach programs and valuable services to people living with diabetes,” said DeFina. “Many people participate in the program because they are living with diabetes or have family members or friends living with the disease. They are extremely passionate about raising awareness of diabetes management and prevention.”

You don’t have to be an athlete to join. Team Diabetes prepares you for the physical challenge and provides the support needed to achieve fundraising and training goals. More information is available at teamdiabetes.ca or 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).