Diabetes Canada is asking people in Canada to make time for diabetes this November, Diabetes Awareness Month, by learning more about this complex condition and sharing that knowledge with their communities.
Diabetes Canada’s “Let’s Make Time” campaign aims to inspire more understanding, awareness and empathy for people living with diabetes in the organization’s efforts to change the conversation around this condition.
“Diabetes Awareness Month is a time when we can collectively make real change in the lives of the four million people living with diabetes in Canada by starting to change the conversation about diabetes,” says Laura Syron, President & CEO of Diabetes Canada, who also lives with type 2 diabetes.
According to Diabetes Canada’s Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada report, released in late September, nearly 90% of people living with type 1 diabetes, and nearly 70% of people living with type 2 diabetes, experience shame and blame for having diabetes—a startling finding that underpins the purpose for driving awareness this November.
This year, Diabetes Canada is asking people across Canada to also make time to “spill the tea” on what it’s like to live with diabetes—serving up facts and testimonials about the condition all month long on social media using the hashtag #SpillTheDiabetea.
To kick start this social activation, diabetes
“By sharing information and personal stories during Diabetes Awareness Month, we can start to change the values, beliefs and language of this too-often “invisible” and misunderstood condition,” says Syron. “As someone who lives with type 2 diabetes, I know first-hand how transformational it can be to feel supported and understood; it can not only improve the quality of live for people living with diabetes, but it can also lead to better health outcomes.”
Diabetes in Canada: Fast Facts
Every 3 minutes one person in Canada is diagnosed with diabetes.
In 2024, 4 million people in Canada have been diagnosed with diabetes – that’s 10% of the population.
6 million people are at high risk of developing diabetes.
Life expectancy may be shortened by 5 to 10 years.
People living with diabetes are two to three times more likely to live with depression.
People living with diabetes in Canada may need to pay between $10,000 and $18,000 per year out of their own pocket for diabetes medications, devices and supplies.
Diabetes costs the Canadian healthcare system $50 million dollars a day..
Sources: diabetes.ca/media
