NEWS

October 25, 2007

Sun Life Financial Announces $10,000 Donation to Diabetes Education Centre at Biz after Biz Event

Members of the Strathroy-Caradoc Chamber of Commerce gathered for the monthly Biz after Biz Chamber event hosted by Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation and the Middlesex Hospital Alliance.

Guests enjoyed tours of the new CT scaner suite. Ineke Haan, Vice-Chair of the MHA Board of Directors welcomed Chamber Members and spoke about the relationship between the Hospital and local economic development.

"While the presence of a hospital is important to the larger economic development in our area, we acknowledge the very important contribution our local business community makes to ensure the health of our hospital. Your support is essential in helping us to deliver the services and clinical programs we need in Strathroy," said Haan.

The highlight of the evening was a special announcement made by Chris Das of Sun Life Financial. He announced a gift of $10,000 to the Diabetes Education Programs and Services (DEC).

Alison Lenny, Co-ordinator of the Diabetes Centre thanked Sun Life Financial for donating to help the outreach of the programs.

"As a result of Sun Life's donation we will be able to help with program outreach, something that is very important to do is actually going to the places where people work, socialize and live to help them to better understand, manage and prevent diabetes," said Lenny.

Managing diabetes is complicated, in the past 10 years there has been a 69% increase of diabetes among the population. Diabetes is a chronic condition that impedes the production and proper use of insulin. It can result in severe complications-limp amputation, blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. Many of these complications can lead to premature death.

So far this year the Diabetes Education Centre has hosted 81 events with an average of 22 participants at each event. In total, 1786 people have participated in the diabetes education and outreach programs at the Middlesex Hospital Alliance. To learn more about the programs, visit http://www.mhalliance.on.ca and click on the link to Diabetes Education Classes or Clinics.

Diabetes Education Program of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance is generously sponsored by: