It is World Diabetes Day on Monday — and the Grey Bruce Diabetes Program is hoping to raise awareness across the region.
Lynn Whitton, a Diabetes Educator at the Meaford Hospital, says they are going to host walks at all of their program sites across the two counties.
She says today, November 14th, is the birthdate of Canadian Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin.
And this year is the 90th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
Whitton says despite efforts, there are now nine million known cases of diabetes or pre-diabetes in Canada.
She says that is a 12.2 billion dollar strain each year on the health care system.
Whitton stresses that diabetes is a chronic disease that is manageable … but if left unmanaged, it can have serious consequences.
And most of the cases are Type 2 — which Whitton says can be somewhat prevented by leading a healthy, active lifestyle.
Whitton says that’s what they’re hoping to promote with a walk this year.
People can meet at various sites across the region, and buttons and pennants will be distributed to raise awareness.
If you can’t get to a site, you can take the time yourself or get a group together to go walking.
The walk will take place from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM.
The sites include…
Owen Sound – behind City Hall; inside Bayshore Community Centre if weather is bad
Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre
Hanover P&H Centre
Kincardine – Victoria Park downtown
Markdale Complex
Port Elgin Plex
Wiarton – Bluewater Park
