Dynacare and Diabetes Canada are bringing back #Dynacare4Diabetes, Manitoba’s largest-ever diabetes wellness initiative, for a second consecutive year. Dynacare is aiming to get 55,000 Manitobans – particularly those most at risk – to take the A1C (blood sugar) test. The organization will also be making a 50-cent donation to Diabetes Canada for every test completed at a Dynacare location in Manitoba between Oct. 21 and Nov. 30, up to a total of $25,000.
Coinciding with Diabetes Awareness Month in November, the initiative is meant to encourage Manitobans to assess their risk for the disease by getting tested at any Dynacare location throughout the campaign period. This initiative comes at no cost to Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living as it is fully funded by Dynacare, including the cost of all additional A1C tests ordered.
Diabetesis a serious public health issue, with over 27 per cent of Manitoba’s population having undiagnosed or diagnosed diabetes or prediabetes, according to data from Diabetes Canada. Recognizing the significance of this issue, last November Dynacare and Diabetes Canada launched this campaign for the first time to spread awareness of the risk factors for diabetes and encourage Manitobans to get tested.
“Early detection is critical to change or reverse the course of Type 2 diabetes,” says Andrea Kwasnicki, Diabetes Canada’s Regional Director for Manitoba and Nunavut. “Presently, we estimate that there are approximately 386,000 Manitobans living with diabetes, and many of them don’t even know it.”
Dynacare and Diabetes Canada encourage Manitobans that have never been tested for diabetes to start the process by assessing their risk factors. If they have one or more risk factors, or are experiencing symptoms, they are encouraged to consult with their doctor and request a requisition for an A1C test. The test can be taken free of charge during the campaign at any Dynacare location in Manitoba. Doctors who receive test results with blood sugar levels above the normal range typically contact their patients directly to arrange a consultation and discuss a treatment plan.
This year, Dynacare is also reinforcing its commitment to Manitoba’s at-risk communities living in rural and remote areas by organizing mobile clinic locations throughout the province. The goal is to provide access to testing for those most at-risk for this all-too-common disease, so they can be better informed about their health and, if necessary, get on a pathway to care. The mobile clinic schedule will be published on Dynacare.ca.
“We take our role in the Manitoba health care system very seriously and strive to support healthy living,” says Dr. Jenisa Naidoo, Chief Scientific Officer and Winnipeg-based Medical Director for Dynacare. “Dynacare is committed to serving our community, and our goal with this initiative is to make it easier for Manitobans who are at-risk to get tested.”
On World Diabetes Day, November 14, local community leaderswill be getting A1C tests to raise awareness and to encourage at-risk Manitobans to do the same.
