Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Partnership Formed to help find the Cause and Cure of Type 1 Diabetes

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is pleased to announce it has formed a partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to help find the cause and cure of Type 1 Diabetes.

On Friday October 9, 2009 the Weyburn Red Wings will host the Battlefords North Stars in the 1st Annual (inaugural) SJHL Hall of Fame Game. At this game the SJHL will recognize its first members inducted into the Hall of Fame: Chris Chelios, Ron Rumble, Ron Hextall, Dwight McMillan and Wayne Kartusch.

After the game, a “Hot Stove” event will be held in the Weyburn Curling Club. It is here that the Hall of Famers will discuss their careers and stories of their time in the SJHL. The SJHL will be asking guests to donate a $5.00 cover charge for the event with all proceeds going to JDRF. The Hot Stove is brought to you in part by The Weyburn Inland Terminal a proud sponsor of JDRF.

In addition to the Hall of Fame Game, the SJHL is pleased to announce the month of November has been designated as “Diabetes Month” by the SJHL. During November, JDRF will be doing special events in each of the 12 Team Arenas. “The SJHL teams and fans can have a far reaching impact on seeking a cure. This is a great partnership to help youth of all ages and we are pleased to be able to focus our attention on Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day in the month of November,” said Laury Ryan, President SJHL.

“Many Saskatchewan residents are unaware of how far-reaching Type 1 Diabetes really is,” said John Chick, Star Player with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (a Type 1 Diabetic himself) and Honorary Ambassador/ Spokesperson for JDRF. “Not only does Diabetes directly impact over 65,000 Saskatchewan residents, it has a profound impact on their families and how they go about their daily lives. We are dedicated to finding a cure for this disease, and we certainly appreciate the tremendous support of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to help us reach our goal.”

Type 1 Diabetes, the most severe form of diabetes, is a non-preventable autoimmune disease. It can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed from infancy to the late 30s. Unlike type 2 diabetes, it cannot be prevented by diet, exercise or medication and living with the disease demands constant blood testing and regulating. A child living with type 1 diabetes requires approximately 1,463 needles a year and 2,190 finger pokes a year to test their blood sugar – it imposes a very structured lifestyle on a family to adequately monitor the disease, and, avoid devastating complications.

“Canadians living with Type 1 Diabetes are insulin-dependent for life with the constant threat of developing complications such as blindness, end-stage kidney disease, nerve damage, heat attack, stroke, amputation and even death. Insulin allows a person with diabetes to stay alive, but, it does not cure the disease, nor does it prevent its eventual complications.”


Please click here for the press release.

2009
Southern Saskatchewan Events

• April 3rd – Corporate Recruitment Luncheon and Family Education Nite with Sebastien Sasseville (from Quebec) - Sebastien has type 1 and he climbed and reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 25, 2008
• May 31 - Yorkton/Melville TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
• June 7 - Regina TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
• June 14 - Humboldt TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
• June 17 - Regina JDRF 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
• June 21 - Moose Jaw TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
• June 21 - Regina JDRF 2nd Annual Capital AutoMall Show and Shine
• Sept. 20 - Tisdale TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
• November 15 – Weyburn TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes

Note:  Complete details for each of these events are listed below.

Have you registered for the 2009 TELUS Walk?
www.jdrf.ca/walk

Chipping In For The Cure
The 2nd Annual Juvenile Diabetes Charity Golf Tournament

 
Click here for the flyer.

Click here to view our 2009 TELUS Walk Video

John Chick Honorary Spokesperson/
Ambassador Star Defensive
Player with Grey Cup Champions
Saskatchewan Roughriders

My name is John Chick and I am 26 years old. I am a professional athlete. I play football for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and I have type 1 diabetes. After months of symptoms, I was diagnosed during my basketball season when I was 14 years old. From this point on my life was never the same. I had to consistently control my diet, monitor my blood sugar, and took several insulin shots per day. This process was something that was different everyday depending on the activities that I was doing and the season that I was in. Every year was different as I was growing up because of the different hormones and all of the changes that the body undergoes. While I was in college, I was introduced to the insulin pump. Due to the lack of control that I felt I had while trying to juggle school, football, insulin shots, and overall life, I went on the pump. This has helped me tremendously with having more control in my life. It is still not perfect and I am not sure if I can remember what it is like living without diabetes.  I know with the help of JDRF and the money they raise we can find a cure. I look forward to that day. I can’t wait!

Join us for the 2009 TELUS Regina Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday, June 7th at the Queen Building in beautiful Wascana Park in Regina.

The TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes is JDRF’s primary  fundraising event and is the fastest growing Walk in the world.  Each year more than 45,000 people across Canada Walk to cure diabetes – including representatives from more than 600 large corporations, local companies and families.  Walkers raise funds by asking friends, relatives, co-workers and suppliers to pledge them for participating in the Walk.

It is only through successful fundraising events like the Walk that JDRF is able to support the leading edge diabetes research that is taking place and is bringing us closer than ever to a cure.

It’s all about Teamwork!  If you or someone you know would like to become a Team Captain and lead the way to a cure, please contact us.  We are looking forward to working with Team Captains, families and the many volunteers, especially in our Community Walk sites that make the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes the great success that it is.

For more information about getting a team together or to volunteer for the TELUS Walk Committee, please call (306) 543-5451 or email regina@jdrf.ca.

Corporate Recruitment Luncheon
Regina TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes

Join Us!

You are cordially invited to attend a
Complimentary Luncheon
to launch

2009 Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s
premier annual fundraising event

Sponsored by
TCU Financial Group

Friday April 3, 2009
12:00 Noon – 1:15 p.m.

LOCATION
Conexus Arts Centre

RSVP by March 27, 2009
Randy Durovick
543 – 5451
regina@jdrf.ca

Family Research/Education Nite
2009 Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes

Join Us!


Guest Sebastien Sasseville
Type 1 individual who climbed and reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 25/08

Parents and children encouraged to attend

Sponsored by
TCU Financial Group

Friday April 3, 2009
7:00 p.m.

LOCATION
Conexus Arts Centre, Regina

RSVP by March 27, 2009
Randy Durovick
543-5451
regina@jdrf.ca

2009 Humboldt TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
Date:    Sunday June 14, 2009
Time:   10:00 am Registration (Walk starts at 11:00 am)
Location:   Humboldt A & W
How to register:  On-line at www.jdrf.ca/walk or phone Jennifer Fafard at 306-682-4034 or via email at fafardj@stpeters.sk.ca

Youth Ambassador
Shelby
I am 17 years old and live in LeRoy,Sask. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on February 2, 2007.  I like to stay active with sports and dance. I like to snowboard in the winter and water ski in the summer. You couldn’t tell I have diabetes if you were to look at me. Besides being busy with sports and finishing up with grade 12, I have a lot more tasks that involve monitoring my health. I have to test my blood sugar 4 – 6 times a day according to how many times I want to eat. Then I have to count how many carbohydrates I am going to eat and take the correct amount of insulin. One of my biggest adjustments to having diabetes is that I can’t just grab a granola bar out of the pantry like everyone else. I have to be more organized with making sure I have enough supplies with me and to make sure I can adjust the amount of insulin that my body may require. For most part diabetes has not stopped me from doing the things I love but it is a very hard disease to cope with every day. I hope one day that diabetes can be cured and thanks to JDRF for trying to make this possible for all the people with type 1 diabetes out there.

Family Ambassadors
Kim and Jamie Brockman
Stacy and Gary Dietrick

Christopher
Christopher is 16 and is a member of his high school football team. Chris got very sick and was admitted to hospital before the doctors were able to diagnose him with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2. Chris enjoys golfing, camping and fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter months.

Curtis
Curtis is 12 years old and was diagnosed at the age of 10. Curtis enjoys all kinds of sports and is an avid collector of hockey cards.

Having an older brother with diabetes has helped Curtis cope with the disease. Chris and Curtis often compete against each other in anything they do, even when it comes time to test their blood sugar levels. Chris and Curtis both dream of the day when a cure is found and they can live a day without insulin injections and blood sugar tests.

2009 Regina TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
Date: Sunday June 7, 2009
Time: 9:00 am Registration (Walk starts at 10:30 am)
Location: Queen Building at Wascana Park (east side of the lake)
How to register: On-line at www.jdrf.ca/walk or phone Randy Durovick at 306-543-5451 or via email at regina@jdrf.ca Co-Youth Ambassadors

Jordyn
Hi my name is Jordyn. I’m 16 years old in grade 11 in Regina. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8. Type 1 diabetes has not deterred my passion for sports as I play high school volleyball and basketball, run track and play competitive soccer when my schedule permits. I use an insulin pump to help manage my blood sugars, which has proven to be a huge benefit with my busy lifestyle.

Kyle
Hello - My name is Kyle and I’m 12 years old in Regina. I was born with diabetes which is very rare.  I have an older brother, Evan in grade 9 and a younger sister Nicole in grade 4. I enjoy doing a variety of activities like soccer, baseball and field hockey.  In addition I play volleyball and am a member of the band at W.F. Ready School. I’m a big Rider fan and was very excited to meet some of the Riders last year at the JDRF Regina TELUS Walk. I also use an insulin pump to help regulate my blood sugars.

Brandi
My name is Brandi, I am 14 years old, and a grade 9 student.  At the age of 9 I was diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes used to be a large road block in my life, but it no longer is.  I've learned to overcome the challenges and learn from them. I won't let diabetes interfere with my dreams, goals and everyday life. Believe in hope, for it is what we need to get one step closer to what we all long for; a cure for diabetes." Together we can fight juvenile diabetes.




2009 Regina Corporate Recruitment Team

• Mayor Pat Fiacco
• Rod Gantefoer, Minister of Finance Government of Saskatchewan
• Andrew Scheer, MP Regina-Qu’Appelle
• Troy Hagen, Chief of Police Regina Police Service
• Rick Turchet, Investors Group Financial Services
• PJ Morris, Universal Collision
• Michael Ball, The 104.9 FM
• Rod Pedersen, Sports Announcer 620 CKRM
• Tafaline Sakundiak, BMO Bank of Montreal
• Brian Barber, Dominion Construction
• Colin Lovequest, CKRM 620 Radio
  Dennis Ulmer, Investors Group Financial Services
• Bob Baumuller, Athol Murray College of Notre Dame College
• Candace Hill, Viterra
• Ryan Riffel, Investors Group Financial Services
• Peg Leppi, Pegs Kitchen
• Phil Deutscher, TCU Financial Group
• Keith Leppi, Investors Group Financial Services

2009 Regina Family Ambassador Co-Chairs

• Sandy and Holly Mah
• Craig and Joani Halvorson
• Janice Klein & Dave Valkeinen

Have you ever thought of doing a SCHOOL WALK PROGRAM IN YOU COMMUNITY??

JDRF has an electronic school walk guide that outlines the simple procedures on how to plan and implement a School Walk. A teacher can take this guide and conduct a School Walk program. JDRF is responsible for counting/depositing all pledge money collected and provides a great prize incentive program. A great way for children to be educated on type 1 Diabetes along with having fun in raising funds for JDRF. The School Walk can be done at any time of the year – at lunch, recess or after school etc. A great way to improve healthy lifestyles with our children. If you are interested please contact Randy in Regina at regina@jdrf.ca or phone 306-543-5451

Co-Youth Ambassadors

Zane
At the age of  4 1/2 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  I had a over a year and a half of insulin injections and then on December 27, 2007 I started on my insulin pump. I no longer need 3 - 7 needles a day -- only one very large needle every 3 days, and I have a whole lot more flexibility when it comes to meal and snack times but still have to maintain a regular eating schedule, diet, exercise, reguar visits to doctors, A1C tests every 3 months, once a year visit to a specialist and diligent carbohydrate counting to help regulate my blood glucose level so that I can be happy, healthy and get the best out of my education. My 3rd year anniversary is coming in July. I have had to give myself over 11,640 finger pokes for blood samples, over 4,000 injections of insulin and over 140 infusion set changes. I am an energetic kids who loves life, am involved in judo, swimming, soccer, love riding my bike, going on adventure hikes, and playing with friends.  I would like to help to find a cure, for me and others who have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is difficult to manage, and with your help we can work towards and find a cure for this disease.  Hope to see you all out at the 1st annual TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes in Moose Jaw!

Family Ambassador
Brenda Zinn and Brad Gervais

Chantelle
My name is Chantelle Goede and I am 17 years old. I was diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes in November of 2007. Having diabetes has been quite a life change but I am dealing with it very well. My friends and family have all been very supportive and by my side every step of the way. Diabetes has its ups and downs. Some days I start thinking it’s almost too much to handle, other days I forget I even have it. I can say that having diabetes has helped me grow as a person. I have become a lot more mature and more responsible. I like to think of diabetes as a friend, not some disease. Nothing comes easy and I have learned that you have to work for what you want. I do not let diabetes control my life, it’s simply a part of me. I am very proud to be a youth ambassador and I would love to help bring awareness and help raise money to find a cure for everyone living with Juvenile diabetes

Co-Youth Ambassadors

Holden Kopec
I was diagnosed at 1 ½ years old.  I became very sick, lost a lot of weight and was drinking over 4 litres of fluids per day.  One Friday night, I laid still on the floor, mommy rushed me to the hospital.  They took my blood glucose, it was 41.8mmol!  I was then rushed by ambulance to Regina General Hospital, where I spent the next 2 ½ weeks. 

Of course, I do not remember this but I am reminded of the diagnosis made back then every day of my life.  I have to have needles every day, and I am not allowed to sleep in, EVER!  I have to check my blood sugar at least 6 times a day.  I do get to have candies though.  My mom says if I take a shot, I can have some.  Sometimes I wish I never had diabetes, but I can still play hockey and do things that are fun.  I love hockey and I will never let my diabetes stop me from doing the things that I love!  But…I sure hope there is a cure one day soon!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a couple years ago, so I need to take a tiny pill every morning.  And, I may have to watch very carefully what I eat because I tested positive for Celiac Disease.  My tummy aches are not too bad though, so I can still have the other food.  All these are linked to my diabetes and if they find a cure, I will be all better!

Family Ambassadors
Kevin and Trina Kopec

Too often parents with children who live with Juvenile Diabetes find their schools are not sufficiently informed about diabetes and its complications. Encouraging a Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes to be held at your child’s school can assist in building the much needed awareness within the student body and teachers and provide a safe learning environment for students with diabetes.

The walk is a fun-filled day for the teachers, volunteers and the children. It is a great way to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This year’s program has gotten off to a good start. We have many schools