Diabetes Canada is hosting its second annual “Pump Couture” fashion show on June 3 to spread awareness about living with diabetes. Models will showcase their insulin pumps and blood sugar monitoring devices while wearing a variety of fashions. Dr. Alice Cheng, a top endocrinologist, will MC the show and hopes to break down the stigma around diabetes, which can prevent patients from wearing devices that can help manage the disease. Funds raised by the event will help send youth to diabetic summer camps. Diabetes impacts every walk of life, and the event aims to show that it is not a single group’s disease.
Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people around the world. It’s a condition that requires constant management and attention, often involving the use of insulin pumps and blood sugar monitoring devices. Unfortunately, these life-saving devices are not always seen as fashionable or socially acceptable. To combat this stigma and raise awareness about living with diabetes, Diabetes Canada is hosting its second annual “Pump Couture” fashion show on June 3 in Toronto.
The fashion show will feature models wearing their insulin pumps and blood sugar monitoring devices as part of their outfits. The goal is to showcase the different ways that these devices can be incorporated into everyday life, and to encourage others with diabetes to feel confident and proud of their management tools.
Dr. Alice Cheng, a top endocrinologist with Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, will be one of the MCs for the event. She believes that the stigma surrounding diabetes is often rooted in misunderstandings about the disease. “There’s a hesitation to wear these devices because they don’t want people to see,” she explains. “It can be a barrier to patients wearing devices that can play a crucial role in managing the disease.”
Cheng emphasizes that blaming and shaming people with diabetes is not only factually incorrect but also counterproductive. It’s important to understand the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and to avoid making assumptions or suggestions about what someone should or shouldn’t be eating. “Our words are powerful, and we should be mindful of that,” she says.
The fashion show will feature models from all walks of life, wearing a variety of outfits from formal attire to beachwear. Cheng notes that diabetes affects people from all backgrounds and demographics, and that the disease is not limited to any one group. Funds raised by the event will go towards sending youth to diabetic summer camps, where they can connect with others living with the same condition and learn more about managing their disease.
If you’re interested in supporting Diabetes Canada and its efforts to raise awareness about diabetes, visit their website at diabetescanada.ca. Together, we can work towards breaking down the barriers and stigma that prevent people with diabetes from living their best lives.
