Diabetes Canada and the PEI Liquor Control Commission (PEILCC) are pleased to announce a new donation campaign to support Islanders living with and affected by diabetes. The PEILCC will be selling blue circles—the international symbol of diabetes—in their 17 corporate stores across the province in May. During the month-long campaign, customers will be invited to purchase a Blue Circle for a suggested donation of $2.

“We are very pleased to announce this new partnership with the PEILCC,” says Terry Lewis, Manager, Community Engagement, Maritimes, Diabetes Canada. “As PEI has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Canada, funds raised through the campaign will ensure we can deliver greater impact to those affected by diabetes in the province.”

Currently about 47,000 Prince Edward Island residents, or nearly 30 per cent of the provincial population, are living with diabetes, or prediabetes (blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed). Rates in the province are projected to rise to 33 per cent of the population within the next 10 years.

“We are pleased to launch this new partnership with Diabetes Canada at our corporate stores across the Island,” said Honourable Heath MacDonald, minister responsible for the PEI Liquor Control Commission. “This donation campaign will raise funds to support the important work that Diabetes Canada does to raise awareness of the disease and its implications, which are often misunderstood.”

Funds raised from the 17 stores will go to support resources for healthcare professionals, advocacy and fund world-leading research to improve treatments. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Camp Phoenix, a camp for children living with diabetes on PEI. “We’re delighted that Diabetes Canada is sharing a percentage of funding to Camp Phoenix through their new partnership with the PEILCC,” said Anthony Miller, spokesperson for Camp Phoenix.

About Diabetes Canada:
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent.

Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:
• Resources for healthcare professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
• Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
• Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.

For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).