Posts Tagged ‘Diabetes’

World Diabetes Day – Today!

November 14, 2011

For non-diabetics, I think it’s easy to think of Diabetes as someone else’s problem. If you don’t have it and no one in your immediate circle has it, it’s easy to minimize the impact of this disease.

 Today is World Diabetes Day and to give you an idea of what the impact of diabetes is:

3 million Canadians have diabetes. 6million more have pre-diabetes.

1 in 4 Canadians have diabetes or pre-diabetes

More than 20 people are diagnosed every hour of every day

It is anticipated that 400 million people will have diabetes by 2030

1 million amputations take place every year due to diabetes complications

Diabetes will cost our health care system $12.2 billion dollars each year.

With numbers like these – diabetes is everyone’s problem.

The poem below is written by a very talented member of the Cash Store Financial Freedom Run team – the Charlottetown Freedom Run organizer, Darcy Lee.

Diabetes

When diabetes is talked about,

We all know what we do,

We try to ignore it, and pretend,

Just sit back and subdue.

When diet is not the way,

And pills don’t seem to work,

A needle to monitor sugars,

All seems so berserk.

There is no beginning,

And there is no end,

The only hope we might have,

Is the cure’s around the bend

We feel there’s nothing we can do,

So we tend to hold it inside,

Until that fateful moment,

When someone we love has died.

Diabetes is a disease,

That hits us hard core,

Mother, brother, father,

Sister, friends and more.

Well, I am here just to say,

I know, I can’t pretend,

This disease strikes everyone,

We all must comprehend.

So stand up and be counted,

Support research and the cure,

Give of yourself and for others,

The reward is yours for sure!!!!

- Darcy Lee, Charlottetown Freedom Run Champion

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

All Good Things Come to an End…or do they?

September 9, 2011

Many of you have been following an anonymous associate at Cash Store Financial blogging about her experience of training to run the 5km Freedom Run. While we have all enjoyed the stories and experiences, this individual has decided not to continue blogging at this time. Rather than stop our Diary of a Diabetic blog posts we thought – everyone has a diabetes story to share, why not open up the blog to others who would like to share their stories? This week is our first Diary of a Diabetic open blog post from Darcy Lee, Champion of the Freedom Run in Charlottetown, PEI. If you have a diabetes story you’d like to share post it as a comment to this blog or send it to info@thefreedomrun.ca We can’t guarantee all posts will be on the blog, but we appreciate anyone who would like to share their story.

Diabetes

When diabetes is talked about,
We all know what we do,
We try to ignore it, and pretend,
Just sit back and subdue.

When diet is not the way,
And pills don’t seem to work,
A needle to monitor sugars,
All seems so berserk.

There is no beginning,
And there is no end,
The only hope we might have,
Is the cures around the bend?

We feel there’s nothing we can do,
So we tend to hold it inside,
Until that fateful moment,
When someone we love has died.

Diabetes is a disease,
That hits us hard core,
Mother, brother, father,
Sister, friends and more.

Well, I am here just to say,
I know, I can’t pretend,
This disease strikes everyone,
We all must comprehend.

So stand up and be counted,
Support research and the cure,
Give of yourself and for others,
The reward is yours for sure!!!!

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

25 Freedom Runs to Go!

September 2, 2011

This month has been a whirlwind around the Freedom Run headquarters. There is a lot of planning and preparation to go into a run event especially when there are 8 taking place in the same month! There’s signage, Tshirts, pledge incentives, the last push for marketing, final last minute details to sort out and somehow it all works out. Prince George kicked off the Freedom Run event season with a ‘bang’ at Fort George Park. Then Halifax, one of the Canadian Diabetes Association/ADF-Diabetes Research partnership cities, continued the momentum with their Team Diabetes run in Dartmouth, NS on August 25th. On August 28th, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Lloydminster, Grande Prairie in Alberta, Brandon (Manitoba) and Regina (Saskatchewan) all had Freedom Runs. From an organizing perspective it’s exciting to see a race director start with the event and watch them as they develop their vision and leadership skills along the way. Raising funds for diabetes research is of course the goal and the priority but an amazing consequence of that goal is to see each one on the team develop their own leadership style. Next month there are Freedom Runs in BC and the Atlantic provinces. Registration in these events is a reasonable $35 and includes a participant t-shirt, cloth race bag, door prizes and the chance to be a part of the race to provide diabetics with freedom from insulin and life changing health complications.

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Starting from the Bottom Up – Finding the Right Shoes

July 15, 2011

Walking or running are two forms of exercise that require very little in the way of equipment, but, as with most things, the right tools still make the job easier! Our friends at the Running Room gave us a few tips to share on the most important ‘tools’ –  the proper shoes – so that you finish your Freedom Run upright and smiling whether you’re walking or running it.

 Start from the bottom up – With forces greater than 3 -5 times your body weight placed on your feet and up your legs when you run, the right shoes are a must. When looking for proper footwear you’ll want to determine your foot type.

 Over pronator. Supinator. Underpronator. No, these aren’t the names of the latest comic book super heroes – they’re names describing how your heel strikes the ground and how your foot rolls through the step. 

 The Overpronator (the most common foot type) has feet that roll inward too much and generally has low arches.

The Supinator/Under pronator doesn’t have the normal inward rolling motion of the feet and often has high arches.

 Guidelines to Find the Best Shoe Fit

• Shop in the afternoon to get the right fit.

• Try on both shoes with the same type of sock to be worn during the activity.

• Try on several different models to make a good comparison.

• Walk or jog around the store in the shoes.

• Check the quality of the shoes. Look at the stitching, eyelets and gluing. Feel for bumps inside the shoe.

• The sole should flex only where your foot flexes.

• Your toes should not be pressing against the end of the shoe when standing nor should there be too much room (a centimeter or more). Shoes too big or too small can cause injury to the toenails while running.

• The heel counter should fit snugly so that there is no slipping at the heel.

• Shoes should be comfortable on the day you buy them. Don’t rely on a break-in period.

• Consult the staff at the Running Room for help in selecting the correct shoe. Take a pair of old running shoes with you – a sales person can often tell a lot just by looking at the wear patterns.

 

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Do I have to RUN at the Freedom Run?

June 3, 2011

Erin Rayner here, the Manager of Philanthropy for Cash Store Financial. Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of travelling around the country meeting with our local event organizers of the Freedom Runs.  Sometimes, the name of our event ‘Freedom Run’ scares people off because they think in order to participate, they have to run but this isn’t the case. In fact, as a former marathon runner, I can tell you that the people who walked the same distances as I ran saw similar health benefits with fewer injuries to show for their efforts. When you’re just starting out to change your health and work exercise back into your life (or work it into your life for the first time!) walking is a great way to start.

The main difference between walking and running is, and this will surprise you, time! Of course walking takes longer but even walking regularly for just 25-30 minutes will increase the efficiency of your heart and lungs. In John Stanton’s book Walking: A Complete Guide to Walking for Fitness, Health and Weight Loss” he shares a number of benefits walkers see:

Walking, like running is a weight bearing exercise that helps build bone density and reduces the effects of osteoporosis

While walking your body endures a force of 1-1.5 times your body weight while runners landing force is more 3-4 times their body weight consequently walkers see less stress on bones and joints.

As much as it might not always feel like it, walking at a brisk pace is exercise and exercise stimulates the immune system and lowers blood pressure. Of course it also builds, strengthens and tones muscles.

Walkers UNITE! You are all welcome at the 33 Freedom Runs across Canada that support diabetes research. In fact sign up today! Registration is now open – click on Be a Walker or Runner at thefreedomrun.ca and sign up online.  Hope to see you on the trails!

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Diary of a Diabetic – Facing Fears for the Freedom Run

April 21, 2011

This year we will follow the journey of a brave type-2 diabetic who is training to run the 5km Freedom Run. Below you will find her first post as she decides whether or not to take on the challenge. She’s never done anything like this before and in order to succeed she will have to face her fear of failure and challenge herself in ways she has yet to imagine. Will you join the journey?

Here I sit with my fingers on the keyboard trying to decide if I am going to blog or not about my constant struggle with weight.  I have also been given the challenge to RUN a 5 km Freedom Run!!!  Me – running!!

You see, last year I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. If I was going to get diabetes I wish it was type 1.  At least then people wouldn’t look at me with disdain in their eyes all the while saying “it is totally your fault”.  Guess what, it’s not all my fault.  Yes, I am 40 lbs overweight but I have friends and family that are grossly overweight, 100 lbs + and they don’t have diabetes. So how come everyone thinks that I brought this on myself?  Because of the stigma of having type 2 Diabetes I don’t tell people and therefore I don’t have the support that I truly need.  Guess you could say I feel like a pariah.

So with all this said, I am going to write this blog anonymously.  I am just not ready to “come out”.  So please forgive me and I hope that you will understand my decision.  Maybe at some time during this process I will have the nerve to expose my identity but right now. I just can’t.

After a lot of thought (and fear) I have decided to accept the challenge and train for a 5 km Freedom Run.  This will mean training and eating right as well as getting into the right frame of mind.  Am I terrified – you bet I am.  I guess there comes a time in one’s life that they have to face their fears straight on.  So here I go off on this adventure!

The first thing I did is talk to my family about my decision to run a 5 km.  To say they were surprised is an understatement.  My son has offered to go to the gym with me each night and help me “train”.  We have also roped in one of his friends who has been working out all his life so he knows the ins and outs.

Everyone has agreed to join me in my high protein, low carb diet.  Even my husband was supportive which is truly surprising as he loves his food.  I will say that I basically threatened them – you join me or you cook for yourself!  It is all about me right now. I have given lots to my family so it is time for them to give back to me!

The decision has been made – now I have to follow through.  The groceries have been bought, the meals planned for the week and now the fun part.  The gym.

I came home from work and truly did not want to go out. I was not pleasant to be around because I knew what I had to do and I didn’t want to do it.  I hate the gym.  It is very intimidating.  All those body-beautifuls and everyone lifting their weights.  Ya, not my favorite place.  But off I went kicking and screaming!

The boys were awesome.  They took me to a little corner of the gym to teach me how to stretch.  Then they taught me some floor exercises which I was unable to do.  I am sure I looked like a beached whale!!  Then the fun part.  Walking and running.  I managed to run ¾ of the track.  That is almost ¼ of a km – not far at all!!!  Do you think I have a long way to go?

I didn’t die going to the gym and nobody really gave a hoot that I was even there.  They are all too busy concentrating on themselves so maybe I will be able to pull this off!

I am committed and ready.  How about you?  Will you join me in this adventure?  I hope so because if all of us get together we will be successful.  Grab a buddy and let’s go down this road. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Making a Difference to Diabetics – A message from Cash Store Financial President and COO, Barret Reykdal

April 11, 2011

Since inception Cash Store Financial has been committed to the communities that we serve.  We take our social obligations seriously and in 2009 we made a commitment to raise $7.5 million for diabetes research.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that stems from the body’s inability to sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin which the body needs to use sugar as an energy source.  Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death.  While it is not often seen as a serious condition, the complications of heart attacks, amputation, kidney failure, strokes and blindness say otherwise.  Although usually not listed as the cause of death on a death certificate, thousands of people die every year from complications of diabetes.

9 million Canadians have this debilitating disease that can affect anyone, at any age, at any time.  The most startling fact is that over half of these people don’t even know they have diabetes!

Cash Store Financial believes that we are so close to finding a cure that our contribution could really make a difference.  Thanks to the hard work of many individuals at all levels of the company, Cash Store Financial is in a position to make a difference in the lives of associates, communities, Canadians and diabetics.    With a cure, diabetics can experience freedom – “freedom from needles and insulin” – hence the name Freedom Runs.

Last year we held 32 Freedom Runs across Canada and this year we are holding 33 Freedom Runs!  Our Associates, Freedom Champions, are committed to this initiative.  Collectively they volunteer hundreds of hours to ensure that the Freedom Runs are successful.

And successful they are!  We presently contribute $30,000 a month to diabetes research!!  The money that we contribute each month directly funds projects in support of cure-related diabetes research.

We all know somebody with diabetes.  So how can you help?  Get involved by walking or running the 3 or 5 km distance, by volunteering or by making a pledge.  Your participation will make a difference!

Barret Reykdal, President and Chief Operating Officer

Tags:, , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.