FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

by Lorna Lowe

Saturday, August 04, 2012

Trying to find a cure for diabetes is neither easy nor cheap. Just ask the researchers and scientists who have been attempting this for years. Recently, the Leduc Lion's Club have helped forward this fight just a little bit.

On July 26th, Jennifer Vandermeer and Michelle Carter from the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, were presented with a cheque for $500.00 from the Leduc Lion's Club. The funds came from bingos, casinos and pancake breakfasts that the Lions Club have volunteered at, as well as some of the proceeds from the Lion's Campground.

"As a club, we donate to a lot of different causes and charities." said Nigel, one of the Leduc Lion's Club members. "But we have several members who have diabetes so it is definitely a cause that hits close to home, and we would like to see a cure found for this disease."

Michelle and Jennifer have a unique opportunity to see the monies that are donated actually at work. "The Alberta Diabetes Foundation, who Jennifer and I work for," said Michelle, "is actually in the same building as the Alberta Diabetes Institute, who do all the groundbreaking research in Alberta, trying to find a cure. So if we want to know what's happening this week as far as any advances being made, we can just walk upstairs and ask the scientists and researchers directly."

Another nice thing about the Alberta Diabetes Foundation is that the money that is donated is put to very good use. Over 90% of the funds go directly to research, or whatever branch of the Foundation the donor specifies. Under 10% of all funds are used to cover the everyday costs of running a charity, such as administration and advertising.

Amazing new treatments have come out of this Institute, including islet research, which is one of the newest advancements in treatment to come on the scene in a long time, and it was pioneered right here in Edmonton.

Diabetes is rapidly hitting epidemic proportions in Canada, with no age limit to when the disease can strike. Type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in children as young as 10 years old, which was unheard of 25 years ago.

The Leduc Lion's Club asked that the money they donated go directly to research for finding a cure. In return, Michelle and Jennifer gave a hand written note of thanks to the club, as well as a rather appropriate, and cute, little stuffed Lion as a way to show the Foundation's appreciation for the donation.

If you would like to make a donation to help find a cure for diabetes, you can go online to www.afdr.ab.ca, or call the Alberta Diabetes Foundation at 780-492-6537.

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