KELOWNA — All the makings of a hearty, healthy lunch were served up at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society Thursday; all for good reason.
“We’re hoping to educate people to choose a healthy lifestyle so they can delay or prevent type two diabetes” said Sue Taylor, Regional Director of the Canadian Diabetes Association.
It’s education that’s come in handy for Arnold August, who’s been accessing free diabetes related services at the society for the past three years.
“It offered a lot information I wasn’t aware of. I wasn’t even aware that I was a borderline diabetic but it was pointed out that I am” said August.
Today, on World Diabetes Day, the friendship society is hoping to spread that education.
“We wanted to be able to target the population down here and help get that awareness and a chance to feed them properly if we can” said Shelia Lewis, Diabetes Prevention Coordinator.
The sheer size of the population affected may surprise you. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association 9-million Canadians are battling the incurable disease and since 2000 the number of people with diabetes has doubled.
The highest risk groups are the homeless and transient populations, who can’t afford proper food, and those of aboriginal descent.
“As we move forward one in two people from an aboriginal decent will develop diabetes and one in three in the general population diabetes” said Taylor.
“Its really a disease you have self manage 24/7 365 days a year” said diabetes sufferer, Nel Peach.
Peach has been fighting the disease for more than thirty years and has done her part to help find a cure, raising nearly $70,000 throughout that time.
“For me just being here and being in front of the people to create more awareness that diabetes is very costly and it’s a killer. It’s a killer” said Peach.
Now, thanks to advocates like Peach and others, people like Arnold August have a better shot at survival.
“Before I came here I wasn’t doing so good, but now since I’ve been follow up on the information and with the doctor, my health has greatly improved” said August.
For more information on the signs and symptoms, or general details on diabetes, click here.
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