Laura Syron
President & CEO, Diabetes Canada
Let’s make time to change the conversation about diabetes this Diabetes Awareness Month.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time for people in Canada to show support for those affected by diabetes. Diabetes Canada is encouraging everyone to participate in the Let’s Make Time campaign, inspiring people to dive deeper into understanding this often “invisible” condition and to share that valuable knowledge with their communities.
Every three minutes, someone in Canada receives a diabetes diagnosis, and the reality is that you or someone in your circle is likely impacted. Diabetes is a chronic condition that poses numerous physical, emotional, and social challenges. According to a new report by Diabetes Canada, The Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes, nearly 90 per cent of people living with type 1 diabetes and nearly 70 per cent of people living with type 2 diabetes experience feelings of shame and blame for having diabetes. Sadly, common misconceptions—such as the belief that diabetes is solely a result of poor lifestyle choices—contribute to the stigma surrounding the condition.
Laura Syron, President and CEO of Diabetes Canada, who lives with type 2 diabetes, emphasizes the importance of changing the narrative: “We must break the harmful cycle of stigma and misunderstanding. This Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s make time to foster a compassionate environment where education and empathy thrive.”
Fostering understanding and support
Enhancing awareness and understanding of diabetes is crucial for improving health outcomes. By dismantling the stigma, individuals are more likely to seek the care and support they need, whether from healthcare providers, their communities, or loved ones.
Help change the conversation this Diabetes Awareness Month by challenging the misconceptions that perpetuate stigma. Together, let’s make a positive impact for the four million people living with diabetes in Canada.
Learn how you can make a difference at diabetes.ca/letsmaketime.
