George Van Ankum welcomed over 35 people to the diabetes information meeting held Oct. 20 at the Knox United Church here.
Guest speaker Joe Walsh is the pharmacist and owner of Walsh’s I.D.A. Pharmacy that recently moved to its new location in Arthur. The pharmacy holds the distinction of being the oldest family-run pharmacy in Wellington County.
Walsh spoke about how oral medication affects the nutrition in diabetes and suggested 13 simple nutrition tips for people with diabetes.
The body will take from a diet what it needs, but a multi-vitamin a day couldn’t hurt. He strolled through a list of vitamins noting their benefits and warnings. Read the labels, make informed decisions, and talk to a pharmacist before purchasing any supplements.
Diabetes affects all the organs of the body especially the liver, heart, and kidneys as well as the nerves. There are a number of medications on the market to help protect the organs and help them function better.
He encouraged everyone to talk to their pharmacist and bring up to date their medical history on file. He believes the whole family eats better if one person has diabetes. He believes that scientists are on the cutting edge of research to find a cure. Perhaps one day, there will be a multi-vitamin created for people affected by diabetes.
Team Diabetes member Gabrielle Hershey shared her story of determination and pride and thanks for all the people who supported her on her marathon journey to run a marathon in Reykjavik, Iceland.
With their help, she raised over $6,300 for diabetes initiatives while promoting a healthy lifestyle to combat the adverse effects of diabetes. She was especially grateful to Alice and George Van Ankum and all the volunteers at the diabetes information centre in Harriston.
Volunteer Irma Ternan was recognized nationally for her 30 years of helping to promote diabetes awareness while recruiting hundreds of canvassers to raise thousands of dollars to increase the efforts of the Canadian Diabetes Association to help fund their work in education, advocacy, programs, services, and research.
She was escorted by her nephew, Billy Ternan, of Alberta, to Montreal for the Thursday evening celebration and the awards luncheon on Oct. 17. Ternan was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award with her name etched on a medallion encased in a shell of glass.
Ternan said, "It was very exciting to learn that I received a National Volunteer of the Year award. I have been involved since the 1970s and I have seen the organization grow from a small beginning in our community to a very significant voice on behalf of the diabetes cause."
Ankum presented her with a red rose in honour of her award and the significant contribution she has made.
The door prize of a Choice Menus cookbook was won by Everdina Bender.
Van Ankum thanked the volunteers who provide a wonderful service by working at the information centre, planning and hosting information meetings, canvassing, collecting coin boxes, fundraising, setting up literature displays, raising awareness, counting grocery tapes, typing letters, talking to the public, promoting membership, and answering the call to volunteer: Alice Van Ankum, Irma Ternan, Nancy Dietrich, Cora Anne Morden, Henry Westendorp, Audrey Morden, Grace Van Donkersgoed, Theresa Johnston, and Bonnie Whitehead. A round of applause also expressed praise for him in his role as chairman for the branch.
The meetings have concluded for this year; visitors can drop in at the office at 94B Elora Street South in Harriston any Tuesday or Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30pm or call 519-338-3181, or email npnw@sentex.net
