Some Alarming Facts

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease

* People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to die of heart disease than those without. 4 out of 5 people with diabetes die from heart disease.
* More than 60% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure, and almost 60% have high cholesterol. Both are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
* The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the chance of complications and death.
* Diabetes puts you 15 years closer to a heart attack, stroke or death from any cause. A 40-year old with diabetes has the same level of risk as a 55-year old without diabetes. Risk increases from moderate to high at around age 45 for men and 50 for women. If you are older than 30 years of age and have lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 15 years, you are considered to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Undiagnosed diabetes

* One in 3 people with diabetes have it and don’t know it.
* On average, people have diabetes for 7 years before diagnosis.

The high price

* Medical costs are two to three times higher for people with diabetes. Costs for medication and supplies range from $1,000 to $15,000 a year.
* By 2010, it’s estimated that diabetes will cost the Canadian healthcare system $15.6 billion a year and that number will rise to $19.2 billion by 2020.

Please don't forget to donate and help me reach my goal of $10,000 for 2010

Dublin Marathon on-line donation page: https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=1094879&tId=13116

Calgary Marathon on-line donation page: https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=1094879&tId=13238