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Defeating Diabetes one step at a time
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Eugene Laboucan, left, and Farrel Bellerose lead the eleventh annual Driftpile Diabetes Walk. Dozens of people participated in the event, which started and ended at Driftpile Community School.
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Maureen Thunder, left, along with her niece, Tina Howse and one-year-old Mikaila Thunder, participate in the walk in memory of their relative, Doris Thunder, who died from diabetes complications in November 2008.
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Louise B. Giroux carries her two-year-old grandson, Lorne Ladoucer, in the Driftpile Diabetes Walk June 11.
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Getting exercise was one of the themes of the Driftpile Diabetes Walk. Tracey Coleman, 8, shows she can skip with the best of them.
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Shawna Bellerose carries her four-month-old daughter, Sakihitowin at the walk. Bellerose has had diabetes for four years.
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Mac Olsen
South Peace News
Maureen Thunder knows the consequences of diabetes, having had it herself for over 30 years.
Her mother, Doris Thunder, also died from diabetes complications in November 2008 while waiting for a kidney transplant.
However, she carries her mother in her heart and was part of the eleventh annual Driftpile Diabetes Walk June 11.
“I’m walking in memory of her and all the people with diabetes,” says Thunder, who promotes health and wellness as a community health representative for Driftpile First Nation. “It’s a big thing every year and we’re getting more participants.”
Thunder and dozens of other people participated in the event, which started and ended at Driftpile Community School. Drivers honked their support to the walkers during the walk.
Four generations of Louise B. Giroux’s family were among the participants. Giroux has also had relatives pass away from diabetes and although she has not contracted it, she is doing everything in her power to ensure it remains that way. She exercises and makes healthy foods.
“I learned to love walking and I exercise in the gym in the winter,” says Giroux, adding she has lost 40 pounds in the last four years. She challenges all young adults and youth to exercise.
Shawna Bellerose’s family history is one of diabetes and she has had it for four years. She, too, believes in exercise and proper nutrition and encourages others to educate themselves about it so they can avoid contracting it.
Participants were treated to healthy bagged lunches following the walk. Organizer Paulette Campiou offered blood sugar testing as well. She is pleased with the turnout for walk.
“The turnout has been getting better each year,” says Campiou. “More community members are coming out and that is awesome to see.”
As the diabetes program coordinator for Driftpile, she holds a diabetes clinic once a month and a foot care clinic bi-monthly. She also makes referrals to Edmonton and Grande Prairie for specialists and more comprehensive diabetes information.
Driftpile has a high rate of diabetes, but the First Nation is also the first in the area to offer a diabetes program, Campiou adds.
For more information about the programs she offers, please call 780-355-3931.
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