Help us Fight Diabetes and help your family.

Why should you do that and how can we help each other Fight Diabetes?

How you can help Fight Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. The starting focus for prevention needs to be on Type 2 diabetes in youth but with equal attention to preventing diabetes-related complications for youth living with either type of diabetes.

  1. Understand diabetes and the risks and discuss that information as a family.
  2. Youthful family members should take our online, self-scoring diabetes risk test, discuss the results with family members and seek further testing from a healthcare professional if the results suggest the need.
  3. Parents should do the same for themselves using similar questionnaires for adults.
  4. Work together as a family to understand ‘healthy eating’ and to develop a shared approach to regular exercise.
  5. Ask your teacher to schedule a School Tour to our Diabetes Management and Education Centre in Alliston, Ontario at the historic birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin and Canada’s first Nobel Laureate.

..and,  if you are living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, then the required focus is to:

  1. Reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.
  2. Understand the implications of ‘Transition’ from the pediatric to adult healthcare system and ‘get ready’
  3. Understand, and advocate for, essential ‘in school support’ processes for youth living with diabetes and what your role has to be to ensure a safe and fully engaged daily school experience.

How SFBLF can help you Fight Diabetes

We provide help for your family:

  • Online risk assessment tools and access to e-Learning courses and short tutorials for youth and families designed to raise awareness and encourage early detection. Please explore the links to our programs and tutorials on this website.
  • School Tours – a free, educational, inspirational visit to the historic birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting to learn about diabetes and related risk, how to protect oneself against developing Type 2 diabetes and complications for both Type 1 and Type 2, the discovery of insulin and the medical heroes who made that discovery, and the related Canadian history and heritage.
  • Diabetes Classes for Adults who are living with, or trying to prevent, diabetes.
  • Annual awards that include scholarships and bursaries for youth living with diabetes and recognition awards for adults who have achieved 50+ years on insulin.
  • Group Tours – an opportunity for a family reunion or other celebration event. See, explore, learn and enjoy the birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting. The Banting Homestead Heritage Park in Alliston, Ontario provides an excellent venue for family picnics or an informative opportunity to add interest for your visiting relatives and friends.
  • Public Open Hours are available every Tuesday and the 1st & 3rd weekends of each month.
  • Annual Transition Symposium for healthcare providers, teachers, parents and other foundations, held in November, may be of interest to parents.

For more information, please contact us at info@bantinglegacy.ca

Why should you help Fight Diabetes?

“Type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes. More information ….  is needed urgently
IDF World Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition, Nov 2017 (p 60)

  1. The scale of the Diabetes Pandemic
  • As of November 2017, there are over 425 million adults (20 – 79) living with diabetes worldwide and the number is increasing at a rate of at least 5 million per year. Another 352 million adults are living with pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
  • Diabetes prevalence varies widely by country. In Canada, it is estimated there are 3.5 million adults living with diabetes and another 8 million with prediabetes. The number of diagnosed cases in Canada is estimated to rise 41% by 2026
  • It is estimated also that there are over 30,000 Canadian youth age 18 and under living with Type 1 diabetes.
  • The number of children and youth living with Type 2 diabetes is not known but there is broad agreement the numbers are rising as is the case in many other countries. The rise in Type 2 diabetes in youth is strongly correlated with being over-weight or obese and an inactive life-style.
  1. The nature and severity of Type 2 Diabetes
  • Approximately 90% of diabetes cases in adults are Type 2.
  • It is estimated that 70% of Type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or at least delayed by healthy eating, modest daily exercise, maintaining an appropriate body weight and not smoking.
  • 40% of those living with Type 2 diabetes do not know they have it
  • Type 2 diabetes is insidious and progressive and can remain invisible for years. At time of diagnosis, cell damage can be in progress thus hastening the onset of serious diabetes-related complications. Such complications include heart disease, eye disease, kidney disease, depression and nerve damage that can lead to amputations.
  1. The cost of diabetes
  • The general diabetes pandemic impacts not just the patients and their families but also school systems, healthcare systems, employers, countries and medical education curricula.
  • From 2006 to 2017, the estimated annual diabetes healthcare expenditure worldwide has grown from USD 232 billion to USD 727 billion.
  • The cost of diabetes to the Canadian economy is estimated at $14 billion annually and is expected to reach at least $17 billion by 2020.