Diabetes group to go door-to-door for spring

NEWS — The Canadian Diabetes Association will hit the streets this May with a spring door-to-door campaign. The campaign will run from May 1 to 31.

“This year, we are looking for more than 2,000 volunteer canvassers in the Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, Penticton and Williams Lake area who are able to volunteer one to two hours of their time this May,” said Cheryl Stone, the association’s residential campaign coordinator for the Interior.

“This is a great opportunity for young people, as students may qualify for volunteer credit hours through our program.”

More than nine million Canadians, or one in four, are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes—a number expected to rise to one in three by 2020.

Funds raised from the campaign will be used to support diabetes research, provide residents with local diabetes educational resources including hosting educational events in the community and advocacy work.

The provincial government recently extended the provincial insulin pump program to age 25.

Proceeds will additionally be used to help send children with type one diabetes to the Canadian Diabetes Association’s D-Camp, Camp Kakhamela, one of 12 camps across Canada that provide a unique experience to 1,600 children and youth living with type one diabetes each year.

“You can help fight diabetes in your community—a little time can make all the difference! Choose to canvass in your own neighbourhood, at your workplace, amongst friends and family, or donate,” said Stone.

“The power of our collective efforts can make a significant impact in the lives of the more than 420,000 British Columbians living with diabetes.”

Those interested in volunteering can contact Cheryl Stone at (250) 762-9447, toll-free number at 1-888-628-9494 or via email at cheryl.stone@diabetes.ca.