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Times-Advocate, 1985-02-27, Page 5Disease _continues at alarming growth rate Piwi canvass to bittle diabetes Diabetes is becoming more com- mon in our population, growing at a rate of six percent a year. That means a child born in 1985 has a one in five chance of getting diabetes sometime in his or her life.ime. The reason for this growth in diabetes is, ironically, the im- provements that have been made in diabetes treatment. Before the discovery of insulin, children with diabetes didn't live long enough to have children themselves. But with better treatment, people with diabetes are leading fairly normal lives and are having healthy children. These children, however, are possible carriers of the gene structure that results in diabetes, even if they don't develop the disease themselves. It's this strong genetic component that is making diabetes more prevalent. The Canadian Diabetes Association is aware of this problem, and is try- ing to find a way to recognize the gene structure responsible for the diabetic tendency. If the structure could be recognized. genetic conselling might be possible for couples who. have diabetic children. It would also be possible to screen out people at high risk. To finance new research, and to educate people with diabetes about new treatments for their disease, the Canadian Diabetes Association is holding a fundraising campaign in March. Mailings will go out the first week of March to kick off the cam- paign. During the month. there will be coin boxes in banks, liquor stores and variety stores, and there may be door- to-door canvassing in Zurich. Diabetes is our third biggest killer, after heart disease and cancer, and insulin is only a treatment, not a cure. - Common complications of the disease are blindness, kidney failure and heart disease. There are over one • million diagnosed diabetics in Canada, and over one thousand members of the London and District Branch of the Diabetes association. The primary campaign goal in this area is to become known. "Not many people in this area are aware that our organization exists," said Randy Evans, the local chairman of the cam- paign. "We're laying a foundation. People with diabetes have to know we're here so we can help them. And people who care about diabetes research have to know we're here to be able to contribute financially." Don Boos is a past president of the London and District Branch and a past president of the Ontario Division of the Diabetes Association. He is heading up several campaign ven- tures this year. Boos has been a diabetic for 35 years. For much of that rime he was a police officer in Lon- don. Boos says the 1985 goal for Lon- don and district is $175,000. Last year the district contributed $152,000. On October 30, 1984, Banting House opened in London. Banting House was the residence and office of Sir Frederick Banting, who along with Charles NBest discovered insulin in 1922.' It has been restored as a museum, and the building also houses an office for the Diabetes Association. Speakers lecture there on topics related to diabetes, and supplies for diabetics are also available. One of the problems in finding a cure for diabetes is that it's not real- ly just one disease. There are two main types: Type 1, formerly known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes, in which the pancreas doesn't function at all, and Type 2, Adult Onset Diabetes, in which there is some pancreas func- tioning. 2/3 of diabetics have Type 2. There is also a less common form called gestation diabetes, which af- fects pregnant women. Many of these women spontaneously recover after their babies are born. This form can damage the fetus if not diagnosed. - At University Hospital in London, Dr. Calvin Stiller is experimenting with the anti-rejection drug cyclosporin to treat diabetes that's detected early. The theory is that a person develops diabetes because the rejection cells of the body have become activated, perhaps because of a virus, and they attack the insulin - producing cells of the pancreas. The cyrclosporin is supposed to stop the re- jection before too many cells are destroyed, and maintain insulin production. There have been attempts to transplant the insulin -producing cells into diabetic patients. So far results have been favourable, and it may be possible to do this with injections in- stead of actual surgery. All this holds out hope for the future, but in the meantime, the Canadian Diabetes Association is helping those who already have the disease. They run camps for diabetic children, to help them gain in- dependence and learn to take care of their medical needs themselves. A sweepstakes is held yearly to fund the camp. Another fundraiser is ticket sales on a trip for four to Toronto to watch the Blue Jays play Detroit, in- cluding transporation, accommoda- tions, and spending money. The symptoms ordiabetes are con- 'tinuing thifst, frequent urination, in- creased appetitie, loss of weight, tiredness, and blurred vision. A urine test by your family doctor is a good indicator, and anyone with these symptoms should see their doctor and be tested. Anyone wishing more information on diabetes or on the fundraising campaign can call Banting House in London. The number is 673-1630. Times -Advocate, February 27, 1985 Page 5 FIGHTING DIABETES — Don Boos, past president of the Ontario Divi- sion of the Diabetes Association and Randy Evans, chairman of the Exeter and area campaign, are gearing up for March fundraising. GUIDES CELEBRATE - The Exeter Girl Guides celebrated the 75th anniversary of Guiding with a birth- day cake: • T -A photo Kongskilde will host between 40 and 50 of their Michigan and Ohio dealers on March 4 and 5 in Exeter and Lon- don. The visit will include a tour of the Exeter manufacturing facility, pro- duct training and new product introduction. Kongskilde spokesman. Guido Coolman, explains why the visit is im- portant. "Many agribusinesses are contracting their operations in the U.S. marketplace," he says, "while Kongskilde is successfully expanding into the American market, hiring new staff and launching new products." Kongskilde is a specialized manufacturer of tillage equipment and grain handling systems. In addition to the plant in Exeter. Kongskilde has warehouses in Michigan, Tennessee and North Dakota supporting t5 states serviced Plan break program Marian Doucette will be presenting a children's program called "Mother Goose Tales" at a number of Huron County Library branches during March Break. Marian is a talented, local pup- peteer from Clinton. Her skills in- clude designing and creating original puppets as well as performing. She has given performances. and BUYING AN ANNUITY? CA1l US ION THE HICNEST QUOTE AVA11A111E TON EXPERT NNSP & ANNUITY ADVICE CAll ABC ANNUITIES GODERICH 524-2773 (toner') presented puppet , workshops, throughout Southwestern Ontario. In "Mother Goose Tales" Marian will entertain and amuse children, from three years of age and up, with their favourite nursery rhyme characters. Using lap and finger pup- pets, Marian will take children into a world of make-believe in this one - women puppet show. "Mother Goose Tales" will be ap- pearing at the Exeter Library on March 14 at 10:00 a.m.; the Zurich Library at 1:00 p.m. and the Ilensall Library at 3:00 p.m. "Mother Goose Tales" is a free pro- gram sponsored by the Huron Coun- ty Public Library. Everyone is welcome. Give Your Back a Break KING KOIL POSTURE BOND Look for the King Koll name! If It doesn't say King Koll, It probably Isn'L ;. . 't Twrn (W) tttattntss 1 M1 Srltn $‘299 DOUBLE (54") $349 Mattress & lu Sid. QUEEN (60") =399 Mattress 11.1 Sprig Somma 1 4 Somma 11 Waterbeds C ) 81111/a, : ``'' from $54900 TERMS - Cash, Mastercard Grand Bend Decorating and Flooring Centre N.. 21 238-8603 Grand Bend eaie rs� by Kongskilde sales personnel. Kongskilde products are marketed through an extensive network of distributors in other parts of Canada and the U.S.A. EXETER DISTRICT CO-OP AVAILABLE Hours 4 blocks west �, ob Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.mof the Fire Hall Sat. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. NBRSPs. 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