NunatuKavut increases contribution to Liz’s Walk and Canadian Diabetes Association
September 14, 2016 – ST. JOHN’S, NL – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) today announced that it has contributed $5,000 to the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) through Liz’s Walk, a cause started by Guy Poole over 11 years ago in memory of his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Poole, who lost her life to complications from diabetes.
Each year, Guy walks a few hundred kilometres to raise money and awareness for diabetes research and to help find a cure. He completed his latest 300 kilometre trek from Gander to St. John’s City Hall today and was joined by NCC President Todd Russell for the last leg of his walk.
NCC has supported Liz’s Walk since its inception and has dedicated financial and human resources every year since. As a result of its many contributions, NCC was the recipient of the 2016 Provincial Outstanding Partnership Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Region of the CDA. It was presented to President Russell during a celebratory reception in Guy’s honour last night at St. John’s City Hall.
NCC is committed to giving back to the community and continues to support initiatives that make a positive difference in the lives of its people and those in the wider community.
Quick Facts
- NCC’s latest $5,000 contribution to the CDA through Liz’s Walk nearly doubles its annual contribution.
- Since 2006, Guy Poole has walked over 3,200 kilometres in memory of his late wife Liz and has raised over $110,000 in support of diabetes research.
Quotes
“I’m very proud that my latest walk is over and I am so happy with everyone who came out to join me along the way. I do this in memory of my wife and for the many people affected by this disease. NCC’s support of Liz’s Walk and the CDA blows me away. I especially appreciate the moral support from President Russell and NCC’s Community Health Worker Melita Paul, who joins me on every walk they can. I do this to promote diabetes awareness through healthy living and physical exercise. I would love to see more of this introduced in our healthcare and education systems in our province. It is not difficult to do a few minutes of exercise everyday. It goes a long way in helping prevent diabetes.”
- Guy Poole, creator of Liz’s Walk
“On behalf of the Association (CDA), I wish to thank you for your commitment to helping people with diabetes live healthy lives…we thank you for being a true diabetes champion.”
- Dawn Gallant, Regional Chair of the Canadian Diabetes Association, in a letter to NCC about the award
“I have walked with Guy many times over the years and proudly joined him on the conclusion of this year’s Liz’s Walk, which ended at St. John’s City Hall. He is a dear friend, a former colleague, an Elder, a leader and a remarkable human being. Guy is a true example of all that our culture and way of life is about. He makes me proud of who I am. As southern Inuit, we are a caring people, a giving people, a people close to the land and water and a people who value family and community. On behalf of NCC, I thank Guy and his outstanding team for their unwavering dedication to finding a cure for diabetes. It is also an honour to receive the 2016 Provincial Outstanding Partnership Award from the CDA for our collective contributions in helping to prevent and find a cure for diabetes. Diabetes affects so many of our people and NCC truly believes in the vital work that the CDA and so many others do in helping fight this chronic disease.”
- NCC President Todd Russell
Associated Links
- For further information on this and other donations the NCC has made, please visit nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at Facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.
- For information on the Canadian Diabetes Association or to make a donation, please visit diabetes.ca.
Contact
Kelly Broomfield
Director of Communications,
NCC 709-280-5965
NT5
