On Monday, July 18 it’s your chance to get spooked for diabetes.
As part of The Haunted Walks’ summer drive on behalf of charities in both Ottawa and Kingston, on July 18 the walk will benefit the Canadian Diabetes Association.
And for Jim Dean, this particular walk has a personal significance and connection; The Haunted Walk business development manager lives with diabetes, and knows first-hand the seriousness of the disease.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just days after his high school graduation, Jim confesses that in some ways he felt very unlucky as he was at the very top of the age range when many people are normally diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He says that over time he has come to realize how lucky he was not to have to deal with diabetes until he was 19 years old: “Knowing how difficult and frustrating the disease can be to deal with as an adult, my heart breaks for those young people and their families who have to deal with diabetes at a much younger age,” said Jim.
Jim adds that every day he awaits word of a cure. “I get no days off from the disease and am constantly aware of the longterm ramifications diabetes will have upon my life,” said Jim. “The work of the Canadian Diabetes Association is invaluable. The Association helps lead innovation and education to all those individuals and families dealing with the challenge of diabetes. As someone with diabetes, it feels great to have such a wonderful organization in your corner.”
The Association’s mission ‘to lead the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure,’ has never been more crucial, according to Amie Gibson, development coordinator at the Canadian Diabetes Association in Ottawa. She applauds initiatives like The Haunted Walk for Charity as a way to bring awareness, attention and funds to key causes.
“As an Association, we look to keep Canada on the front line of diabetes advances and are committed to fighting the epidemic of diabetes, while working to-gether on a future without this life-threatening disease,” said Amie. She adds that the Association encourages individuals and companies like The Haunted Walk for Charity to organize their own events in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association. “These types of activities represent important funds and awareness for the Association. The money raised helps support world-class research, education and services for people with diabetes.”
Diabetes prevalence is at epidemic levels across Canada and is on the rise. Today, 2.7 million people in Canada have been diagnosed with diabetes – 1,169,000 reside in Ontario. This number is expected to rise to 1,903,000 by 2020.
For information about The Haunted Walk for Charity and to purchase tickets, please visit hauntedwalk.com, the ticket kiosk at the corner of Sparks Street and Elgin Street or the ticket office in the ByWard Market at 73 Clarence Street.
To learn about the Canadian Diabetes Association, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
