Alex Kask
Contributor
The Navigator
World Diabetes Day marks the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting, the Canadian co-discoverer of insulin. This discovery has saved millions of lives worldwide. November 14 is celebrated as World Diabetes Day in over 80 countries, with landmarks around the world lit up blue in support. November 14, 2013, has been proclaimed World Diabetes Day by Mayor John Ruttan for the city of Nanaimo.
In Canada there are approximately nine million people with either diabetes or pre-diabetes. Of those, about 90 per cent are type 2 diabetic. First Nations are 3-5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than the rest of the Canadian population.
In 2012, there were an estimated 17,000 diabetes-related deaths in Canada for people of the ages 20-79. Diabetes is now considered the leading cause of death by disease in Canada. Canada is number one in diabetic research worldwide.
Events will be held at the VIU Nanaimo campus in the upper cafeteria, building 300, from 11-2pm.
There will be information, draw prizes, and the Canadian Diabetes Association will be receiving donations for their Clothesline fundraiser project of used clothing, so if there is any old clothes hiding in your closet, please donate. The events are sponsored by VIU Disability Awareness Club and the VIU Indigenous Students’ Course Union. Participants will be wearing blue.