Oakville events aim to raise awareness of juvenile diabetes Continued from page 22 23 · Thursday, November 1, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com and can be purchased by contacting Jessica Berzins at jberzins@jdrf.ca or 905-608-8062. The goal of Diabetes Awareness Month, says Barry, is to educate the public on the causes of the different types of diabetes, raise awareness of the need for research to find a cure, help people understand the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, bring attention to the importance of health and wellness, and dispel any myths surrounding diabetes, such as eating a lot of sugar as a child can cause diabetes. According to the JDRF, Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone needed to get energy from food. In the case of Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body doesn't properly use the insulin it makes. With T1D, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. "We're not really 100 per cent sure what triggers this autoimmune response," Barry said. "A lot of the scientists right now believe it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the genes involved have been identified... but the possible environmental triggers for Type 1 diabetes are still sort of an unknown." Those living with T1D must constantly balance their insulin doses -- by either multiple injections every day or a pump -- with eating and their daily activities. More than 300,000 Canadians live with T1D, as it can affect both children and adults at any age, and could shorten life expectancy by as much as 15 years. According to the JDRF, warning signs that T1D may suddenly occur can include: extreme thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, increased appetite, sudden weight loss or vision changes, sugar in urine, fruity odour on breath, heavy/ laboured breathing, or unconsciousness. While the goal of the month is to spread awareness, Barry says it's also important to spread the message that those living with T1D can still lead full and active lives -- this is possible due to the improving technology used to monitor blood sugar levels and deliver the proper doses of insulin. "(JDRF's) mission is to cure Type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research," she said. For more information, visit www.jdrf.ca or call 1-877-CURE-533 (1-877-287-3533). You set the table... We've already made the dinner! - COPPER COUNTY FOODS We deliver nutritious, deluxe meals directly to your home Request a FREE Menu Brochure · · · · Tea Shop Teaware Tea Furniture Chinese Paintings 1-866-494-4333 www.coppercountyfoods.ca 416-628-7828 Ages 3 to 5 278 Kerr St., Oakville www.goldencoastteaclub.com Reading Phonics Math If we could only teach your child one thing it would be a love of reading Call today, or visit oxfordlearning.com Oakville South 905.849.4027 Oakville North 905-257.1207 Oakville North 905.469.1929 NOTICE the Annual Meeting of Halton Food For Thought will be held at Robert Bateman HighSchool 5151 New Street, Burlington at 6:30 PM on Thursday, the 8th day of November, 2012. There are two ways to vote for Directors, Bylaw changes and Auditor appointment: By Proxy Form or in person at the meeting. For more information please go to http://www.haltonfoodforthought.ca/events.php