DIABETES HOPE FOUNDATION
EVENING OF HOPE

MEDIA ALERT
May 14, 2007

36 Students With Diabetes Overcome Odds to Qualify for Scholarships
Evening Features Recipients and Mount Kilimanjaro Climber and Diabetic Sebastien Sasseville

TORONTO - Thirty-six students with diabetes from across Ontario will receive a Diabetes Hope Foundation scholarship at the Evening of Hope awards ceremony, Monday, May 14, 2007 at the Great Hall in Hart House at the University of Toronto from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker for the evening is Sebastien Sasseville, a high altitude climber with diabetes who successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He will speak about his challenges with diabetes and his own journey of hope.

“Managing diabetes is a real challenge and a full-time job. Most people with diabetes find it difficult to manage this disease that has no cure - but, not our students”, said Barbara Pasternak, Founder and Chair of Diabetes Hope Foundation. “Our students, meet and exceed their blood glucose targets, they also participate in sports, get involved in their communities, and achieve high academic performance. They do this against great odds, and for their perseverance, they receive a scholarship so they can attend a university or college of their choice.”

Highlights of those receiving scholarships include:

  • Sandra Sawa a 17 year from Iraq living in Toronto who will be the first in her family to go to university.
  • Larissa Robinson-Mudhar from Oxford Station who travels 140 kms round trip everyday to go to school, so she can be in the drama program and head up the In Love and In Danger Committee at her school.
  • Elizabeth Kagedan a17 year old from Ottawa who wants to become a journalist, who in addition to having diabetes, overcame serious leg tumours.
  • Katie McKernan a 2nd Year Nursing Student from Mississauga who comes from a family of ten who wants to specialize in emergency room nursing, so she can give back.

Diabetes Hope Foundation is a charity for children and families that was established in 1999 by business executive Barbara Pasternak after two of her three sons developed Type I diabetes. The organization provides scholarships to students who have excelled at managing their diabetes, shown academic achievement and participated in sports and in their community. DHF also provides financial assistance to needy families who struggle to pay for costly medications and monitoring systems for their children’s care through its Medical Assistance Program. With the support of corporations and individuals, DHF helps children and young adults living with diabetes achieve their full potential in education, self-management and future independence.

A full list of recipients and Mr. Sasseville’s biography is attached. Media welcome – there will be photo and interview opportunities. To rsvp and arrange an interview, contact: Judy Tobe, jtobe@diabeteshopefoundation.com - 905-670-0557, ext 255 or 416-939-3249.

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