What Does Diabetes Look Like?

Which one of these people are living with diabetes?

Do you think that you can guess? The boy in the middle is the only one who is not living with diabetes but his chances of developing Type 1 diabetes are still higher than most.  1 in 4 Canadians are living with diabetes. With proper care and resources they will live to be productive members of society. You will not be able to pick them out from anyone else until you get to know them and see their strength and courage. Read more about people like these on our Faces of Diabetes and Priceless pages.

By 2010, over 3 million Canadians will be living with this disease. 

Data from the Canadian Diabetes Association

The diagnosis rate of Type 1 diabetes is increasing at approximately 5% per year. from www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

Our's is the first generation that will see parents outliving their children because of the devastating effects of diabetes on our younger population.

Diabetes is a disease which directly causes over 5,000 deaths per year and contributes to about 25,000. In economic terms, diabetes costs Canadians more than $9 billion annually, including both direct costs and those stemming from premature death and lost productivity.

*From the Senate Debates (page 4 from Senate Debates) --June 6, 2006 Hon. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell

According to the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..... Diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death by disease and costs approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses.

What is Diabetes?

What are blood glucose levels and why do they matter? Your blood glucose level measures the amount of “sugar” in your blood.  It is this “sugar” that acts as fuel for your cells.  In a healthy person, this level should be between 4-7mmol/L after fasting and between 5-10mmol/L 2 hours after eating. For a person with diabetes, the ideal is to be able to artificially maintain these levels.  That is not easy.  They may see levels of high blood glucose--too much sugar and not enough insulin.  This is called HYPERGLYCEMIA.  A person experiencing a “high” will require a lot of fluids to help flush the sugar out of their system.  They will feel the need to use the washroom more often.  Their vision may become blurred and may experience headaches. Left untreated, this will cause a person to develop Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).  DKA results in a chemical imbalance of the blood. If this is not treated quickly and under doctor’s supervision, the person will die.

If you or someone you love has just been diagnosed, here are some areas of Diabetes Advocacy that you may wish to visit:  Diabetes Terms, Diabetes Care, Frequently Asked Questions,  Diabetes Research, Diabetes News, Insulin Pumps, Products and Technology, Living with diabetes--our blog, books on diabetes and Taking Diabetes to School.

May marks one year since our dear friend and fellow advocate "Pumper Paul" Beckwith passed away due to diabetes. His family will be taking part in the Barrie JDRF Walk on Sunday June 1st. We ask that you consider supporting team "Pumper Paul's Team (In Memory of Paul Beckwith)" Paul was the driving force behind the many new pump programs we now have in Canada. Please help to contribute to his legacy.

Awareness Marathon

Please help Tricia and her "Fire and Ice Marathon" in Rekjavik in August of 2008. See her request below.  Provide her with pictures and stories so that you can "run with her" in Rekjavik. To donate to her fundraising effort go to https://ocp.diabetes.ca/Pledge/csSearchResult.asp?prId=td

Walking, I like. Running, I can do without.
So why am I training for a marathon in August 2008?
Two years ago, I was looking forward to the birth of my daughter, Lauren.
When I was 6 months pregnant, I was told that I had Type 1 diabetes.
Next August, I will run in the Rekjavik “Fire and Ice” Marathon to raise funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Why am I doing this? I am running for all of those people, big and little, who are diagnosed with this disease. This disease takes so much time, thought, and effort to manage well, and sometimes it still frustrates our best attempts at management. It breaks my heart to think of a child who has to deal with this disease. Though I would love to see a cure, I am running to help us manage this disease as best we can, now and in the future.
I would like to carry the names, faces, and experiences of Canadians with diabetes as I run. More than 2 million of us have diabetes.
I am looking for photos, drawings, and writing about your life with diabetes. Help show others the faces of those I am running for! I will place each photo, drawing, and statement onto a scarf that will come with me during the marathon. My contact information is below.
Please forward this to Canadians who have been affected by diabetes.
Take care,

Tricia Edgar
4629 Hoskins Road, North Vancouver, BC V7K 2R2
widemouthedfrog AT hotmail.com
Follow my running progress and general rants at: http://throughfireandice.blogspot.com/

What's New at Diabetes Advocacy...

• Now you can read our Privacy Policy!
• We have updated our Songs and Poems page. It is now filled with songs, poems and humorous diabetes tidbits. Take a look at where we have found test strips and feel free to add more of your own stories and adventures with diabetes!
• To see this presentation in its entirety please view go to our new page...and share it with others so that they can better understand this disease.
• Our pumping journal is back up and running. Read along as we chose our second pump and deal with the new Newfoundland government's pump program for children under 18yrs. Also see... you are going to pump, but what do you need? Where do you start? What do all of those "things" do?? Try out our Getting Ready to Pump page.
• Conferences is our latest page in which we share information learned at conferences attended by Diabetes Advocacy as well as upcoming events.
• Have feelings about your pump or method of insulin delivery? Please let us know the features you have enjoyed, problems you may have had, and general opinions on your insulin delivery system and watch for our new page that will share your experiences with those who are wanting to make more informed decisions.
• We have added more restaurant items to our food data base. Check out the carbs of your favorite treats!
• Myths and Realities of Diabetes...Have you ever had a question about Type 1 diabetes that you were too afraid to ask about? Check out this new page filled with many of the questions people living with the disease here. If you have a question that we do not have an answer for, please feel free to contact us and we will try to find you an answer.
• Diabetes Advocacy is on FACEBOOK...For those of you who use this site to keep in touch and connect with friends, check out the new Diabetes Advocacy group there-- "Diabetes Advocates Unite". Join us and lend your voice to a united diabetes effort! And if you enjoy tattoos...check out our medical tattoos group!
• Must read books! Check out our list of books that people living with diabetes recommend as great reference and reading material!
• Diabetes Terms We now offer a glossary of diabetes related terms.
• Priceless....Be a part of our new campaign. Send us your diabetes costs and a picture or simply your name. Let us know the costs of diabetes in your life because we know that no matter what the costs, your life is PRICELESS!
• Are you ready to respond in case of  flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters? We have prepared a list of items that you may want to have on hand for your Emergency Response Kit.  Even those who think they may live in a safe area can be hit without warning. If you have something to add to our list, please let us know. 
• Check out our many Diabetes Advocacy Awareness Products that are now available in our online store! Perfect gifts for diabetes walks, teacher appreciation and much more!
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• Join our Tattoo challenge!! Interested in having a tattoo done but never knew what to do? There is a group  that are planning to have a diabetes tattoo done in honour of our own battle with diabetes of that of a loved one. Interested? Let us know and we will keep you "in the loop"! Or check out our "Tattoo" page and see what has been done to date.
• Canadian Trials page gives a listing of clinical trials taking place in Canada
• Check out some of the stories from our Faces of Diabetes Campaign! These are just a few of the stories in the 80 page document we put together. They will move you, inspire you, and amaze you. What a wonderful group of people!!
•  We have added another logbook style. For those who would like to have a cheque book sized log, we have created on just for you! See our log page.  

•  Diabetes Advocacy Online support list   is a list  for those living with diabetes to share stories, fears, and news on advances in diabetes treatment. Please check it out. Please note, we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our mailing list. Posts are not making it through. We are currently working to rectify the situation!

Issues of Importance

National Issues:

Pump coverage

New Brunswick's April 1, 2008 budget will now cover insulin pumps and supplies for children under 18 years of age who have no private coverage!

Saskatchewan's latest budget has included pump coverage for children!!! Congratulations Saskatchewan! Diabetes advocates welcomed the recent Saskatchewan provincial budget announcement of a Children’s Insulin Pump Program. The new program will provide children under the age of 17 who meet eligibility requirements with one pump every five years, and coverage for insulin pump supplies as regular benefits under the Drug Plan. This commitment will benefit families who pay approximately $6,000 per pump and an additional $300 per month in supply costs.

Pump supplies covered in BC It would appear that pump supplies are now covered at least in children.  Pharmacare is covering all the pumping supplies once the deductible is reached each year!

Watch for more advocacy updates.

For more details, please check out our Ontario Bill 15 page. Qualification details are now available on this page   Ontario has become the first province to offer coverage of insulin pumps to children living with Type 1 Diabetes!! 

Newfoundland announces  pumps for children in their April 26th, 2007 budget. As of October 26, 2007 the Newfoundland government, will roll out its new pumps for kids program. No child under the age of 18 years old should be turned down. For more deals see our Pump Coverage page or contact your local diabetes education center. 

Join us as we go through the new process of getting an insulin pump and supplies for a child with Type 1 diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador who needs a replacement pump in December 2007.

Please contact the CBC about the article they have published on the dangers of insulin pumps. If you support insulin pumps for Canadians living with diabetes. To see our response to the original story, please read our blog or click on the CBC link to read what we sent to them.

Air Travel

Passengers are now permitted to bring liquids, gels and aerosols through security screening at Canadian airports provided that the items are packaged in containers with a capacity of 90 ml / 90 grams (3 oz.) or less, and that the containers fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart). One bag per passenger is permitted. Passengers must remove the closed, re-sealable plastic bag containing all permitted liquids, gels, and aerosols and place them directly into the trays provided at the beginning of the screening process.
Liquid prescription medicine and essential non-prescription liquid medicines are exempt from the container size restrictions and are not required to be placed in a plastic bag. However, passengers must declare all such items not in a bag or over 90 ml / 90 grams (3 oz.) in capacity to screening authorities. These passengers may be subject to additional screening.
Check carry-on regulations with individual airlines before travelling. Some airlines have additional requirements depending on the destination.
See our travel page for information on general travel guidelines.

Long- and short-haul travel by air: issues for people with diabetes on insulin
 

Registered Disability Savings Plan Effective 2008  The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a new plan that will allow funds to be invested tax-free until withdrawal. It is intended to help parents and others to save for the long-term financial security of a child with a disability. The plan structure is similar to a Registered Education Savings Plan. Eligible are any person eligible for the Disability Tax Credit and is a Canadian resident; or
A parent or legal representative of a person who is resident in Canada and is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. Anyone can contribute to an RDSP; however, contributions are limited to a lifetime maximum of $200,000 in respect of the child, with no annual limit. Contributions will be permitted until the end of the year in which the child attains 59 years of age.

see http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/agency/budget/2007/rdsp-e.html

Initiatives  Check out the many initiatives and ideas going on in Canada regarding diabetes awareness and diabetes care...Protecting children with diabetes in school

The Disability Tax Credit...

Is a Federal Tax Credit given to those who qualify by either having a Disability as defined by the Canadian Revenue Agency or require "Life Sustaining Therapy" like those living with Type 1 Diabetes. As of the 2004 tax year, children under 15 years of age will be considered to require 14 hours of care simply by having the physician sign the T2201 stating that they do have Type 1 Diabetes.  This will not be dependent on the method of insulin delivery used. If you have received a letter from CRA stating that your pumping child no longer qualifies under the old regulations please take heart. They are not saying that your child does not qualify for the DTC. They are stating that should the legislative change go through, insulin pump therapy will no longer be a reason to qualify for the DTC.  The reason will now be the fact that your child has Type 1 Diabetes. Please remember that if you are a parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes who does not have a taxable income, it is still important for you to apply for this credit. When your child qualifies for the DTC, he/she will then also qualify for a disabled tax benefit (up to $200 per month) under your Child Tax Benefit.

If you are an adult or have a child over 15 years, the process will be slightly more labour intensive.  Please go to our DTC tips page for specific details.

Again, please remember...The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) decision to allow the DTC for eligible individuals with Type 1 diabetes who receive daily injections of insulin resulted from recent Tax Court of Canada decisions and applies to the 2004 and subsequent taxation years.

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Research News

• Acute Complications and Drug Misuse Are Important Causes of Death for Children and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

• Blood pressure in diabetic kids needs watching

• Discovery Leads to Earlier Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.  Researchers identify molecular signature in human type 1 diabetes 

• Insulin intervention in slowly progressive insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus

• Looking for links previously found here? Check out our research archives for all previous links. 

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In the news...

• Scott Dunton, Diabetes at 16, and a Nationally Recognized Surfing Sensation at 21

• Jay Cutler Reveals He Has Type 1 Diabetes

• 2nd Annual Diabetes Design Challenge. A good gadget design can transform lives for people living with diabetes. Check out Diabetesmine.com to submit your idea.

• Improving Diabetes Management On PEI Agenda, Canada

• Sebastien Sasseville makes it to base camp. He is attempting to be the first Canadian with Type 1 diabetes to climb Mt. Everest.

• JDRF Canada has launched the Bag of Hope in Edmonton!

• Kids n Us Conference in Edmonton Alberta is now accepting registration for its 20th Anniversary Conference on April 12th. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Aaron Kowalski who will be speaking on the Artificial Pancreas Project. Online registration can be found at www.kidsnus.ca

• Click For Diabetes - Join Internet Fundraising Challenge, UK.  Please help us win the Everyclick.com Charity Challenge - we aim to raise as much money as possible for diabetes research. You can help us by using search engine http://www.Everyclick.com, which gives money to Diabetes UK every time you search the web. It's a simple way to raise vital funds, and it won't cost you or Diabetes UK a penny.
  

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  View my page on Diabetic Rockstar
  

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Product News

• Smiths Medical MD, Inc. issues a voluntary recall of specific
  serial numbers of the Deltec Cozmo® Insulin Pump

• FDA approves the Freestyle Navigator

• A Glucose Meter Accuracy and Precision Comparison: The FreeStyle Flash Versus the Accu-Chek Advantage, Accu-Chek Compact Plus, Ascensia Contour, and the BD Logic

• KwikPen™ Prefilled with the Humalog Brand of Insulins

• Diabetech® Launches GlucoMON®-RT. Real-Time Monitoring for Remote Diabetes Caregivers

• Medtronic Announces FDA Approval Of CGMS(R) IPRO(TM) Continuous Glucose Recorder

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