The Globe and Mail (May 27, 2003)
By James Rusk
Scholarships mark personal triumphs... Twenty-seven young people who have successfully managed their dependence on insulin were given $2,500 scholarships at a Hart House ceremony last night.
The scholarships were donated by the Diabetes Hope Foundation, a non-profit grassroots organization that helps children and teenagers with diabetes.
The foundation said in a release that young people with diabetes need to have a commitment to managing their health. It said that at least 30 per cent of them fail to make such a commitment when they reach the age of 18, at which point they must make the transition from pediatric care to a more self-directed, adult health-care system.
The foundation hopes to reduce this problem by offering incentives and support for adolescents to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the foundation said.
Barbara Pasternak, the founder and chair of the scholarship program, said that "these awards highlight the personal triumphs of young adults who have faced the many responsibilities and challenges associated with diabetes.
"These youths have also significantly enriched their lives through community or extracurricular activities. They are excellent role models for others living with the disease."
The foundation hopes to extend its programs across Canada by next year.
These programs include a non-profit camp for children with diabetes and financial assistance for families that have to struggle to obtain insulin and the medical support products needed by diabetics.
Website built and operated by
MBC