Regional Director Kerry Bruder welcomed 120 people to the Canadian Diabetes Association’s (CDA) Central West Ontario regional annual meeting and volunteer appreciation evening here on April 25 at Luther Village on the Park.
Guest speaker Dr. Peter Hall is a clinical psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Waterloo. His focus is on kinesiology, with a particular interest in an aging health population.
Diabetes and emotional functioning and diabetes and brain functioning were discussed. People with diabetes need to balance exercise, dietary needs and insulin every day. For some people with diabetes, depression, stress and anxiety seem to be amplified for a number of reasons. Coping mechanisms, relaxation techniques, and counseling therapy could help before turning to medication therapy.
Recognize what is valuable to them and focusing on their needs and what suits them best will help bring patients happiness for a stress-free day.
Dr. Hall found that brain function and exercise benefits are substantial. Cognitive functioning relates to memory and as people age, memory retrieval is somewhat impaired. Executive functioning of the brain controls emotions, habits and thinking patterns. Forgetting names and faces is different than forgetting a goal while engaged in an activity. In people with diabetes, forgetting to test or take insulin one time is a problem, but forgetting they need to test and take insulin to survive is a real problem.
Two brain areas have been identified. The hippocampus shows that the volume of memory decreases after 60. Efficiency in the prefrontal cortex decreases as well. The brain is an organ that is affected by age just like the rest of the body. Evidence suggests exercise definitely helps offset age decline symptoms. Aerobic exercise to increase the heart rate could include brisk walking or cycling. Anaerobic exercise to build muscle mass could include resistance training with stretch bands or weight lifting.
Studies suggest that dramatic results in brain function were mirrored with improved scores in memory. Keep one’s brain and body healthy by getting off the couch and exercising, eating nutritious foods, testing blood sugars faithfully, and finding a way to be happy each and every day.
Regional chair Johanne Fortier then shared highlights of the CDA regarding research initiatives, community programs, summer camps, Banting House and the Clothesline program.
“With nine million people affected by diabetes and pre-diabetes, there is so much to be done to find a cure for diabetes,” said Fortier. “Please join our fight; it’s a fight we aim to win. About 35,000 staff, volunteers and members make this organization a vibrant and passionate advocate and support to people with diabetes, their families and friends.”
Kerry Bruder showed a video regarding the strategic plan entitled Lead, Live, Cure, highlighting many of the senior management team at the CDA. According to the video, donations are gratefully recognized and wisely invested in advocacy, education, services and research.
Volunteer co-ordinator Madeline Mills offered appreciation to all the volunteers for their dedication, commitment and ongoing support to extend programs and services to so many citizens within Ontario communities.
There were 79 health presentations and 25 health displays set up in schools, work places and community groups; 83 people attended the Diabetes Fun Day to entertain and educate people with Type 1 Diabetes; and the residential campaign raised $62,514 with 410 canvassers and team captains reaching thousands of donors.
Public program co-ordinator Heidi Fraser presented volunteers with a service certificates, a pin and a bouquet of flowers. Theresa Johnston, Mary Durnford and Laurie Randerson received five-year awards; Diana Sherifali a 10-year award; Linda Gauvin-Miller and John Camelford 15-year awards; and Barbara Maughan a 25-year award.
Team Diabetes co-ordinator Donna Dowsett presented the St. Agatha and District Lions Club with the outstanding partner award. The outstanding health professional award was presented to Mary Durnford. The young volunteer award went to Sarah Whynot.
Community engagement co-ordinator Nicole Holder presented volunteer of the year awards to Grace Van Donkersgoed, Janice and David Walsh, Louise Marshall, Audrey Miller, Aden Brubacher, Oscar Xiang and Laurie Randerson.
George Van Ankum was presented with the Novo Nordisk Half Century Insulin Award for living with Type 1 Diabetes and having been on insulin for 50 years.
“George standing here today is a testament to living well with diabetes,” said Bruder as she presented Van Ankum with a framed print by Sir Frederick Banting, the co-founder of insulin.
Bruder then encouraged everyone to visit the displays set up by the sponsors of the event: Louise Gerber of Age Fit Solutions, Dana Shortt Gourmet, Lee Saunders Flowers, Schnarr Florist, Fleurish Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching, Clair Hills Retirement Community and Novo Nordisk Canada.
Five of the people presented with awards volunteer at the North Perth – North Wellington Branch of the CDA in Harriston.
Theresa Johnston from Atwood is the literature co-ordinator at the Diabetes Information Centre in Harriston. She helps with a number of duties around the office each week and sets up information displays at meetings and events.
Grace Van Donkersgoed is the Team Captain in Listowel and looks after the coin boxes there. She has helped assemble the canvass kits for seven years at the office.
For 12 years, Janice and David Walsh have done a remarkable job as Team Captains for the Kenilworth area. Their son Scott has a PhD in virology and intends to pursue a career in diabetes research.
George Van Ankum is the chairman of the North Perth – North Wellington Branch branch. At the age of 22, he wasn’t quite feeling himself. A test at the doctor’s office confirmed the suspicion for him and his young bride, Alice.
Van Ankum was unaware of diabetes and figured with a prescription and a week to recuperate, he’d feel fine, free and clear of his ailment. With further facts on the complications of diabetes, he resigned himself to the fact diabetes would always be a part of his life and he was going to live life to its fullest. He manages his diabetes to the best of his ability with the help of his wife Alice and his family. Their daughter Carol and her husband Gord Vallenga were able to attend the event.
