During Diabetes Awareness Month, ask someone you care about to get checked now

Canadian Diabetes Association and Loblaw Companies Limited encouraging Canadians to get tested for type 2 diabetes

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2011 /CNW/ - In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month this November, people across Canada can visit participating in-store Loblaw pharmacy and DRUGstore Pharmacy™ locations to get a complimentary diabetes risk assessment and more as part of the Get Checked Now program.

The Get Checked Now program is a national initiative aimed at helping Canadians get checked for type 2 diabetes and supporting them in making lifestyle choices for themselves and their families to live longer, healthier lives.  This program is essential given that more than one million Canadians are currently living with undiagnosed diabetes.

"Since the launch of the program, more than 13,000 Canadians have gotten checked for diabetes at participating Loblaw pharmacy and DRUGstore Pharmacy locations," said Bobbi Reinholdt, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy, Loblaw Companies Limited.  "Working with the Canadian Diabetes Association on this program is a natural fit for Loblaw as one of our aims is to help Canadians make healthier lifestyle choices."

What you can expect this November:

• Starting on November 14 (World Diabetes Day) individuals will receive a FREE diabetes educational booklet with recipes, grocery shopping tips and coupons when they stop by their local pharmacy
• Community Room education sessions at select locations (i.e. New to Diabetes and Living well with Diabetes)
• Cooking classes for holiday entertaining at select President's Choice^® Cooking Schools
• Grocery store tours with an in-store dietitian at select locations
• Pharmacy tour with an in-store pharmacist at select locations

"Early detection of diabetes and prediabetes is important in preventing or delaying the complications associated with the disease and the development of type 2 diabetes itself," said Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association.  "Our collaboration with Loblaw Companies Limited is not only an important step in assisting people living with diabetes and prediabetes manage their disease, efforts to increase screening and detection of diabetes is beneficial for all Canadians."

For those living with diabetes, multifactorial interventions can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications (e.g. heart attack and stoke) and mortality by more than 60 per cent. Furthermore, it's estimated that more than 50 per cent of people living with prediabetes could delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes through healthier eating and increased physical activity.  It is vital that Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes have access to programs and services that provide educational resources to support them in effectively managing their disease.

Visit getcheckednow.ca to find out more information about the Get Checked Now program and to locate your nearest pharmacy.

Diabetes in Canada
Today, nearly a quarter of all Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes. By 2020, it is estimated that 1 in 3 Canadians will be living with diabetes or prediabetes.  Diabetes also threatens the economic prosperity of our nation as it currently costs our economy $11.7 billion annually - a number that is projected to rise to $16 billion by 2020.

About the Canadian Diabetes Association
Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure.  Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure and translate research into practical applications.  Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

SOURCE Canadian Diabetes Association

For further information:

or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Randi Garcha
Manager, National Media Relations & External Communications
Canadian Diabetes Association
Tel: 416-408-7071
Cell: 647-292-9641
randi.garcha@diabetes.ca

Loblaws Companies Limited
Public Relations
Tel: (905) 459-2500
pr@loblaw.ca