According to Health Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association, people of South Asian descent are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. (Health Canada, 2004; Canadian Diabetes Association, 2006). 

 In Canada, 9.3% of adults currently have diabetes and this figure is expected to rise to 11.1% by 2025.  This represents more than 2.4 million Canadians are living with diabetes.  In addition, more than 6 million Canadians have pre-diabetes, placing them at significant risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. (International Diabetes Federation, 2009) 

Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to numerous other medical complications including: heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.  MedicAlert's mission is to provide protection for all Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions or allergies in emergencies, when every minute counts. 

Deborah Legrove, Director of Marketing, Education and Advancement, cited that awareness of MedicAlert services and mission is severely under indexed in the South Asian community.  "With a population of more than 1.2 million South Asians in Canada, our independent study identified less than ten thousand South Asians are protected with MedicAlert . When one in five Canadians have conditions that can cause instability, sudden symptoms, or have difficulty communicating, it is alarming that a significant number of our South Asian population does not currently benefit from the MedicAlert protection." commented Ms. Legrove. 

In support of The World Diabetes Congress to be held in Montreal, Canada, on October 18-22, 2009, the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is launching an awareness campaign for the South Asian community and to deliver on the promise to speak for all Canadians when they can't.  MedicAlert is offering members of the South Asian community a two year membership for the price of one.  An offer that provides the peace of mind to live and play without worry knowing that in an emergency, a patient's medical history is available in an instant - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Visit medicalert.ca/desi for more information on the promotion.