Stop Diabetes Foundation brings 80-year strong, world’s oldest female body builder to GTA

Sunday May 14^th marks the 4th milestone in the Stop Diabetes Foundation timeline to reduce the epidemic of diabetes in the Peel region. The charitable Stop Diabetes Foundation (SDF) will host their 4^th annual free healthy living education event on this Mother’s day, an informative public event to spread awareness about prevention of diabetes and this time in attendance withErnestine Shepherd from United States – also known as “Granny 6-packs”!

VISION 2020 – Peel Region holds the unfortunate distinction of being the “Diabetes capital of Canada”. STOP Diabetes foundation’s mission termed ‘SDF VISION 2020’ aims to remove this infamous #1 tag before the year 2020. SDF aims to accomplish this through a series of community initiatives and healthy living communication of simplified information to the public – emphasizing lifestyle, diet and fitness as the most powerful tools in this fight against the growing diabetes epidemic.

SDF’s fourth annual free health education event will be open to the public from10:00 am and is scheduled to run until 5:00 pm at Pearson Convention Centre. The role-model celebrity guest for this year’s SDF awareness event is the 80-year strong, Ernestine Shepherd, world’s oldest female bodybuilder awarded by theGuinness World Records. Ernestine who has been featured on shows and books including Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Good Morning America Show and many more is flying from United States especially to be in GTA for this landmark event.

The 80-year strong believes that it is never too late to become physically fit. Ernestine’s mantra for the past 20 years has been “Determined, Dedicated, Disciplined to be fit for life.” And she shares the same vision as SDF of living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating balanced, portion-controlled meals and exercising regularly.

With continued endeavours to facilitate the SDF VISION 2020, Dr. Harpreet Singh Bajaj, the founder along with healthcare providers who volunteer for this organization, plan to launch their two new key initiatives for the year 2017 (1)‘Health Menu Choices at Chain Restaurants’ – Educating people on how to pick right calories from the restaurant calories menu and (2) ‘8 Weeks to a healthier you’– An eight weeks challenge of eight videos will be emailed or shared via whatsapp to all people who register for this weight loss challenge.

Morning of Sunday May 14 will begin with free glucose and blood pressure testing, CANRISK risk surveys and diet education booths. Acknowledging the magnificent diversity of our proud Canadian community in GTA, SDF‘s 2-hour education sessions on will be held in separate classroom type seating arrangements in three different languages: English, Punjabi and Hindi/Urdu. Certified diabetes specialists, general physicians, pharmacists, nurses and dieticians will provide education on healthier lifestyle. A gathering of over 2000+ people is expected to attend this informative afternoon at the centrally located Pearson Convention Center (2638 Steeles Ave East in Brampton), which will also be widely broadcasted to the community through both traditional and social media platforms. Other highlights of this health awareness day include a free healthy snack and lunch along with door prizes. A free bus service from four different convenient locations in Peel region has been arranged to and from the venue.