Hope is what drew me to begin the
Diabetes Hope Foundation...

I am a mother of two sons living with diabetes. I am very grateful that after 7 years of monitoring and testing blood sugars, as well as balancing insulin injections, active sports involvement and smart diet choices, my sons have remained healthy without incidence of emergency care. They have always been able to keep their A1C blood levels within the hospital guidelines. Both are attending McGill University in Montreal; away from home and doing very well in their diabetes management.

The challenges we faced together wove us together to become a tight family unit. I feel that being faced with the challenges of diabetes has made our family smarter and stronger.
During my clinic visits I realized that some families struggle with the financial requirements of diabetes health care and kids who were leaving pediatric healthcare (at 18 years of age) were not continuing with their healthcare. I identified gaps in existing services provided by the government and other charitable organizations which needed to be addressed - hence in 1999 I founded the Diabetes Hope Foundation.

For my sons, and thousands of other children and young adults battling the roller coaster ride of this insidious disease, the Diabetes Hope Foundation was created in response to a pressing need to improve the quality of life for children and adolescents living with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes. In order for these young people to achieve their full potential in education, self-management and future independence, three active programs were created: Scholarship Program, Camp Huronda and our Medical Assistance Program.

Since 1999 we have awarded 61 post secondary education scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students transitioning from pediatric to adult health care systems and preparing to continue on with their post secondary education. We are committed to Camp Huronda, a summer haven located in Huntsville for children living with Diabetes. In the past 5 years we have donated over $100,000.00 for major additions and upgrades to the camp as well as sending 6 young needy campers to experience summer camp. Lastly, we have partnered with Diabetes Clinics to provide financial and product support to families not covered by third party health care plans, through our Medical Assistance Program. However the needs are ever increasing.

I want to share my story to many families who are dealing with the day to day stresses of continuous blood testing, multiple injections of insulin and a vigilant balance between food choices and insulin requirements.

For more information please contact Barbara Pasternak at 905-670-0955 or Trisha Melnychuk at 905-670-0557 www.diabeteshopefoundation.com

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