Team Diabetes is the national activity fundraising program for the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Team Diabetes participants are involved in a program that promotes a healthy and active lifestyle while raising funds in support of the research, education, advocacy and programming that the Canadian Diabetes Association delivers in communities across Canada.  During the past 10 years, Team Diabetes members have been leaders in the fight against diabetes, raising more than $22 million for the Canadian Diabetes Association. 

They do this by committing to raise between $500 - $9,000 and to walk, run, cycle or hike in an event that could range anywhere from 3K to 10K up to the half or full marathon distance.

Michael D'Asti, the owner of Mad Science of Windsor, has joined Team Diabetes.  He has signed up to run the Ottawa Half Marathon in May 2010 and he has set the goal of raising $1,000.  He is asking for your support to help him reach his fundraising goal. 

Why is Mad Science Involved?

Mad Science has joined Team Diabetes for two reasons.

The first is personal. John D’Asti, Michael's father, passed away on December 2^nd, 2005 at the age of 72 from complications arising from diabetes. He had lived with the disease for 40 years, having to carefully monitor his activity, carbohydrate caloric intake and blood sugar levels. It is Michael’s hope that Mad Science’s participation in the Team Diabetes program may lead to a cure for diabetes so that no one else will have to go through what his Dad went through.

The second reason is professional. As a science educator, Michael strives to get children excited about science. It was a Canadian scientist, Major Sir Frederick Grant Banting that led the team that discovered insulin as a treatment for diabetes, which up to that point was a fatal diagnosis. In 1923, Banting and his team became the first Canadians to win a Noble Prize for this very work. Perhaps it will be another Canadian that discovers the ultimate cure for diabetes. Maybe even a child that was inspired to pursue a career in the sciences as a result of participating in a Mad Science program.

With about 49,000 people or 12.5% of our population living with diabetes, the Windsor-Essex County area has a higher incidence rate than both the Ontario and Canadian averages. In fact, the incidence of diabetes in our area has doubled since 1998.

Approximately 2 million Canadians have diabetes and more than 200,000 more are diagnosed each year.  By the year 2010 this number is projected to increase to 3 million. That is roughly equivalent to about 1 in every 10 Canadians having diabetes.

With numbers like these, all of us probably have a friend or family member that has diabetes. Diabetes is a serious epidemic and it continues to be one of Canada’s leading causes of death by disease. It is estimated that $13.2 billion are spent annually to treat Canadians with diabetes and its complications.   

Know that any amount that you are able to contribute is greatly appreciated and will help bring us one step closer to the Team Diabetes goal of eliminating diabetes.

 How Can You Help Out?

1.  Make a Donation to Michael's Fundraising Campaign!

Cheques or money orders made payable to the Canadian Diabetes Association can be mailed to or dropped off at the Mad Science of Windsor office.

If you prefer, you can make a donation on line by visiting www.teamdiabetes.ca and clicking on the Pledge a Participant button.  You will be asked to provide your name and address so that an income tax receipt can be made out.  In addition, you will have to provide the participant's name [Michael D'Asti] and event [2010 Ottawa Half Marathon].

2.  Ask Your Company/Organization/School to Hold A Fundraising Event and Donate the Proceeds to Michael's Fundraising Campaign!

Events must be approved in advance by the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Some ideas for approved events include loonie license days, bake sales, bottle/can drives, casual dress days, fun fairs, silent auctions and yard sales, to name a few.  Please note that games of chance such as raffles and 50/50 draws are not permitted.  For more information on approved events or to have your planned event approved, please contact Michael at madmike1@rogers.com.

Donations to Team Diabetes are Tax Deductible!

Like all charities, your donation is tax deductible and the Canadian Diabetes Association will automatically issue tax receipts for donations of $15 or more. Receipts for amounts less than $15 will be issued upon  request.  Please be sure to include your full name and complete address so that tax receipts may be properly issued.

Michael and Mad Science Appreciate Your Support!

To thank donors for their support, Michael will be setting up a draw for a Mad Science Birthday and a Mad Science Special Event. 

Every individual donation of $15 or more will receive an entry into the draw for a Mad Science Birthday Party!

Every company/organization/school donation of $50 or more will receive an entry into the draw for a Mad Science Special Event!

Notes About the Draw

1.  Please note that only one entry per donation is allowed, regardless of the donation amount.

2.  Donations must be received no later than 30 April, 2010 to be eligible for entry into the draw.

3.  The draw will take place 31 May, 2010.

4.  The birthday and special event must take place within the Mad Science of Windsor service area which includes Essex and Kent Counties as well as Walpole Island.