Animas
Canada
"The
Animas insulin pump helps me to perform at my best - whether
it's up on stage in front of thousands of people or as a father
back home at the ranch. And I know that the people at Animas
truly care, which makes a world of difference." - George
Canyon
Photos
| Videos
We
would like to share some letters that we have received from
Type 1 Diabetics and their families...
Hi
George and Paul, I can't begin to be able to tell you how the
last few weeks has been for us. From the day 6 weeks ago when
we learned Christien would be getting the pump. I can't thank
you enough. In 6 weeks my son 's life has changed dramatically
for the better. Finally he was able to look forward to something
positve.
George,
having met you that day in St. John's I wasn't expecting to see
what i saw with all the attention and fame. You are such a down
to earth person who really cares about individuals. I saw someone
who is trying to make a difference in peoples lives. Not just
with diabetics but with sponsoring a child and giving another
child the opportunity to show case his talent on stage. I hope
fame and fortune never changes the person you are.
Since
Christien started on the insulin pump he is more inclined to talk
about his diabetes with his classmates. Just a few short months
ago he didn't want his new friends to know he was a diabetic.
Now he 
proudly
shows off his pump and demonstrates how its works for anyone who
wants to know about. Even some who don't. Taking my son to Cora's
for a crepe, something so normal for most kid's was one of the
most magical moments for me. Thank you for that. Thank you for
all that you have done and continue to do for type 1 diabetics
everywhere. Thank you George, Thank you Animas.
The
Barrons
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Hi
George! I just thought I would drop you a line just to let you
know that we have been thinking and talking about you a lot lately.
After personally meeting with you in Corner Brook, NL, I can comfortably
address you as George. Although we view you as a Canadian Star,
we also feel that you are a family friend. I thought it was really
important for me to let you know how you have impacted our lives
by taking the time to meet and talk to other Type1 Insulin Dependant
Diabetics such as myself and my seven year old son, Tyler.
It
was only two days ago that I caught my son putting your autographed
picture in his book bag. I was curious to know what he was going
to do with your picture so I asked him. He informed me that today
was his turn to be the classroom leader. That means that he would
be the teacher's helper for the day and always get to be the first
in line. He would also be allowed to bring something to school
to 'show and tell' in front of all his class. "Mom"
he said, "I am going to show my friends a picture of George
Canyon and tell them that he is a Country Singer Star and a Diabetic
just like me. I am going to tell them that he has an insulin pump
just like the one I am getting." We also allowed him to bring
in the picture we took of the both of you. His teacher told me
that he spoke very proudly. I also overheard him telling someone
else that he wanted to be a country singer hockey player. Boy!
If that is not being a great influence, I do not know what is.
For
me, it was amazing to meet someone as successful as yourself,
who is the same age, and had children the same age as me as well.
You reminded me how important it is to look after my diabetes
and use the best therapy possible: insulin pump therapy. Although
you have four more years of living with Diabetes than I do, you
made me think more about my family and how much they need me to
stay in good health. Your generosity has enabled my son and I
to both have an Animas insulin pump and be able to better manage
our Diabetes together. For that I will be forever grateful. With
fine folks such as Paul Flynn and Alanna Chambers, supporting
us, I feel so fortunate.
Thank
you for taking the time to talk with us and be such a great influence
on our lives. Thank you for being such a great role model for
both my son and myself. Maybe, if you do not get too famous, we
will meet again some day. If not, we will always have our pictures
and our memories.
Take
care,
The
Bursey Family
Corner Brook, NL
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Dear
George, I just wanted to say we were at your show in St. Albert
September 30th and it was an awesome night. Thank you so much
for making a great evening out for my daughter and myself. I loved
the 'quite room' theme and can't wait for you to come back so
I can tell those that didn't get the opportunity to go, to do
so. Another thing worth mentioning,it was good to see you so personable,
both on stage and off.
I
say this as we not only attended a 'great' concert but the session
you delivered before the show for the 'Kid's with Diabetes' was
so very positive. I liked that you talked about Diabetes in an
open manner, how you also wear an Insulin Pump, showed the kids
how the infusion set worked, talked about what it was like, etc.
The impact this has on my daughter (as well as other kids with
diabetes) when they hear you tell your story, how you take care
of yourself while at the same time outlining some realities that
do exist for Type 1 diabetics, but yet encouraging them that they
can still do great things in life, as you yourself demonstrate.Watching
and listening to you interact with these kids, giving them the
opportunity to ask questions about diabetes and the pump was so
beneficial for them.As a mother of a child with diabetes, it is
also great for me to see those with this disease succeed at doing
what they love, something I hope for my daughter. Wishing you
and your family health and happiness, thanks so much again for
an informative session and great show.
Jackie
and Meghan Thompson
-------------------------------------------------------
My
family and I went to a meet and greet with George Canyon. Unfortunately
our son Trevor age 14 who is a type 1 diabetic could not make
it. The talk began with George explaining how he had diabetes
at a young age which by the way is the same with our son developing
this dreaded disease at a young age. He then went on to explaining
complications which can develop at a young age. Trevor has had
this disease now for 14 yrs. This really hit home to us as a family.
George then went on to questions and answer session which I asked
a couple of questions about pump therapy and I wanted some suggestions
to perhaps change Trevor's mind because Trevor did not want to
go on the pump. When he found out our son was not there George
said he would personally talk to him about the pump. To our surprise
a call came and it was from George Canyon himself and it was directly
from George I mean how many big stars and famous singers would
do such a thing. It blew us a way. Thanks to George and Animas
our son Trevor is now going on the Animas insulin pump in January.
We owe a debt of gratitude to George Canyon and Animas for all
they have done for us as a family and Trevor.
Dan
(Trevor's Dad)
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Dear
George, Thank you so much for sharing your good news story with
our families in Atlantic Canada. I was fortunate enough to be
in the audience in Halifax and see the magic myself!
Your
message of hope is priceless. Parents saw a healthy, active, vibrant
man who, just like their child has type 1 diabetes. They saw the
possibility of a future for their kids. The kids saw a hero who
is just like them. Your words were passionate yet comforting.
We
are indeed fortunate to have you on our team!
All
the best,
Marilyn
Marilyn
Holm
Atlantic Regional Manager
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
mholm@jdrf.ca
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I
enjoyed the George Canyon concert at Grand Falls a lot, It was
great fun and he seems like a nice guy, comical, caring and one
of the best people I think I'll ever meet, I'm hoping to someday
grow up to be more like he has become. And I am planning to check
in with the military very soon because my birthday is on February
7 so I will need to find out before then if it is possible to
join, if not I will have to get something else planned for when
I finish school. And as for the Diabetes pal thank you. I think
it will be interesting to be able to talk to someone else going
through the same things. I am going through, I think we'll both
be able to help each other out a lot.
Steven Cooke
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Donna
Hagerty is a Diabetes Educator in St.John's Newfoundland.
Thanks
so much for a lovely day and evening. The meet and great was great,
the supper great especially those who attended and the show was
amazing. ?I did try to speak with you after the show but there
were just so many people. I told my team all about it this morning.
Please pass on to George that he was amazing and such a wonderful
role model for young people. I wish him only the best and esp.
continued health with his diabetes.Thanks again.
Donna
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Darlene
is a Diabetes Nurse Educator in Halifax.
Thanks
so much for all your hard work and all your team Patti, Richard
and Paul for making the night so much fun! Wore my boots, I felt
honoured with the "Cash" tribute songs!! Let him know
1 of the Cashs' were in the audience ... that should make him
think. Excellent concert!!!
A big heartfelt thank you to all of you for the outstanding contribution
of a pump for Megan. I cannot tell you how much that meant to
her and to me as her diabetes nurse... This is what it is all
about, compassion for others living with this disease - anything
that can provide as safe means and improved quality of life( due
to her school and career choice). Her face said it all...THANK
YOU ANIMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know Megan will be a great ambassador and role model for pump
therapy. Guaranteed! All the Endo's here are aware of your generous
contribution and support for our patients! Again, Thank you.
Darlene
-------------------------------------------------------
George,
I wanted to take the time to thank you for coming to Fredericton
and meet with the families. I came with some families from Saint
John, and they were so grateful for your honesty, and kindness.
One young lady, Kaitlyn, was amazed at the new site that you helped
her with, she couldn’t believe how much less painful it
was for her, and Trevor is anticipating a call from you any day
to calm his fears about getting a pump. His father is so grateful
to you for helping to convince his son to get one, and they have
had a rough summer, lots of highs and lows, and they now realize
how much a pump will help them. The fact that you are taking the
time to meet with these families means so much, as I am sure you
know, and the kids really look up to you. One day soon, pumps
will be a thing of the past, and we will have a cure for diabetes,
but until then, we need to get as many people as we can on the
pump.
Your
concert was wonderful, we had a great time, one of the best concerts
I have ever been to, I am a BIG fan, so it was a pleasure for
me to get to meet you as well. Thanks
so much, and God Bless!!
Kelly
Hare, BBA
Fundraising
Coordinator/Saint John
Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation
-------------------------------------------------------
At
the meet and greet I met some wonderful people, It gave me a chance
to talk to someone about what it's like going through diabetes
and it also helped me decide that I am going to give the insulin
pump a try and hope it will work out. I got to meet George Canyon,
who seems to be a kind person and I hope from what I seen of him
to be able to grow up like him, I also met two wonderful people
by the names of Alana Chambers and Paul Flynn who honestly even
though I have not got the chance to really sit down and talk to
them seem like really kind people and to know that Animas has
people like them supporting us people with diabetes it makes it
a lot easier to live every day more comfortably, The meet and
greet I think was a very good idea and it is getting out a good
message, I hope there will be more events like this one in the
future.
Now on another not, Paul thank you a lot you guys made me look
at diabetes a lot differently, I used to think that because of
it I wouldn't be able to amount to anything, but to have people
like you working towards making it better for us people with diabetes
make day to day living a lot better.
Steven (14 years)
-------------------------------------------------------
This
family has 3 type 1's -Mom and 2 boy's
I
just wanted to thank you both for a great time on Sunday! Both
boys can't wait to get pumping and I hope to be with them in the
next few months.
Please
pass on my thank you's to George. What a wonderful spokesperson
and someone who truly cares about the kids! A true "Pictou
County Boy" !! Mitchell was so taken by him and can't get
over he plays hockey wearing the pump, even though he is a Toronto
fan.( we are die hard Montreal fans).
Alice,
Nicholas and Mitchell Fisher
In
the photo - George with Alice and Mitchell
DIABETES
COMPASS
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DIABETES
COMPASS is dedicated to helping you take charge of
your health. Whether you are healthy, recently diagnosed with
diabetes or have had it for years, you'll find helpful information
on our website
Links:
Canadian
Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.ca
American
Diabetes Association -http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp
Diabetes
Advocacy - www.diabetesadvocacy.com
children
with DIABETES "Friends for Life" www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/orlando2007/report.htm
