Edmontonians Take a Step in the Right Direction!

A surprise diabetes awareness event stopped West Edmonton Mall shoppers in their tracks raising awareness and support for Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes

Photo_Asset_1

LAVAL, QC, Nov. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Hundreds of Edmontonians got their walk on this week raising awareness, as well as, $10,000 in the fight against diabetes.

Watch the video! http://bit.ly/Xxosug

West Edmonton Mall shoppers were unexpectedly cheered on by the antics of The Second City Communications improv troupe as they walked around a tiny race track (designed to resemble the International Diabetes Federation blue circle symbol for diabetes).

For each person that walked the track, Sanofi donated $2 to the Canadian Diabetes Association, raising a total of $10,000, which will go towards helping to make a difference in the lives of Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes.

"At Sanofi Canada, we understand just how far a little awareness, motivation and encouragement can go in the fight against diabetes which is why, in addition to producing highly effective insulin and awarded blood glucose management devices, we put a great deal of effort and resources into helping to educate and support Canadians living with diabetes," says Jon Fairest, President and CEO, Sanofi Canada. "With this event, we want to send a message of hope to Canadians that taking control of blood glucose levels through a combination of exercise, nutrition and, if required, medication can help reduce the risk of developing long term complications of diabetes and help you to live a full and healthy life."

The "A Step in the Right Direction" event, staged by Sanofi Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association, helped highlight how even taking a small step in the right direction, can help to manage or prevent type 2 diabetes.

Currently, more than 217,000 people in Alberta are living with diabetes and this number is expected to increase by at least 140,000 people by 20201.

"The number of Albertans living with diabetes is increasing each year and in Canada, there are nearly a million Canadians living with diabetes that don't know it, because they have not been diagnosed," says Laura Kemp, Regional Director, Alberta and the North West Territories for the Canadian Diabetes Association.  "With a healthy lifestyle, type 2 diabetes incidences can be prevented or reduced by 60 per cent — which is why it is critical for us to continue spreading awareness and education through public events."

For more information about diabetes, visit: www.diabetes.ca and http://www.diabetesbluecircle.org.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi companies in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people across the country. In 2011 Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

About the Canadian Diabetes Association
The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit www.diabetes.ca , join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

______________________________

1 Canadian Diabetes Association (http://bit.ly/OkgBpp)


Photo_Asset_2

Photo_Asset_3

Video with caption: "Video: Edmontonians Take a Step in the Right Direction!". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Civjlined_A&feature=youtu.be

Image with caption: "Carmen Wyton, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Sanofi Canada (holding cheque on left) and Cynthia Lebovics, Certified Diabetes Educator and National Education Manager, Sanofi Canada (holding cheque in the middle) present a $10,000 donation from Sanofi Canada to the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). Laura Kemp, Regional Director, AB & NWT, CDA (holding cheque on the right) accepts the donation on behalf of the CDA. Members of the Sanofi Canada team, Canadian Diabetes Association and the Second City Communications Comedy Troupe cheer them on! Photo: courtesy of Sanofi.ca (CNW Group/SANOFI CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121121_C9897_PHOTO_EN_20979.jpg

Image with caption: "A family takes two minutes out of their shopping schedule to Take a Step in the Right Direction! They race around a tiny blue circle track showing their support of Canadians living with diabetes. Photo: courtesy of Sanofi.ca (CNW Group/SANOFI CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121121_C9897_PHOTO_EN_20981.jpg

Image with caption: "Sanofi Canada team celebrates reaching their $10,000 donation goal for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Photo: courtesy of Sanofi.ca (CNW Group/SANOFI CANADA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121121_C9897_PHOTO_EN_20983.jpg

SOURCE: SANOFI CANADA

For further information:

For more information about the event or to coordinate interviews contact:
David Weinstein, Rebecca Crittenden, Nadine Rashad or Debra Quinn at Strategic Objectives:
TEL: (416) 366-7735             
TOLL-FREE: 1-866-366-7733
E: rcrittenden@strategicobjectives.com

For more information about the Canadian Diabetes Association contact:
Randi Gill
Communications Manager, Western Canada
Canadian Diabetes Association
TEL: (204) 925-3800, ext. 234 
CELL: (204) 588-7724
E: randi.gill@diabetes.ca