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Quinte Insulin Pumpers

- Meets in Belleville Ontario

A new group has been formed. A QIP member from Kingston took the bull by the horn & decided to create a group in her city. Please read the excerpt from Rebecca's message:
"Myself and another mom, Danielle Carnegie, have recently started a Type 1 Support Group here in Kingston. We're not a pump-specific group, and adults and parents of children with Type 1 are all welcome to attend. We have an adjoining boardroom for kids to come and play as well." For information please call:

Ontario Diabetes Action Partnership

Pumping and DM Book Reviews!

Click here to see a recent newspaper story on a Qunite pumper, his success wih the pump and expensive medical costs not covered by OHIP! © Belleville Intelligencer.

About Quinte Insulin Pumpers:

This group was founded by Jill Milliken RN CDE, of Belleville Ontario Canada in
1999. The meetings began in a local bookstore until our numbers reached 30 and
we were asked to find a place elsewhere due to our growing numbers. We began as
two separate groups: Sugar Busters for children with diabetes and Quinte
Insulin Pumpers and have recently converged the groups as one: Quinte Insulin
Pumpers.

Our voice is 100+ strong and we have been successful in communicating awareness
among our community members and local government. Our local MPP Ernie Parsons
has supported our efforts by attending our events and introducing statements
for coverage of insulin pumps and diabetes supplies in the legislature June 12,
2002, Oct. 3 2002 and May 20, 2003! This initiative is a direct result of QIP and our lobbying
efforts locally.

Quinte Meetings:

Unless noted, our meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month
at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 516 Victoria Ave, Belleville (next to the Moira Secondary School)
from 19:00 to 21:00 h. (7:00 to 9:00 p.m.).

Quinte Insulin Pumpers (QIP) Activities:

Pictured is Adam, a QIP member with a $4,500 DCA 2000 machine to test HeA1C by finger pick in 7 minutes. Fundraising for the machine which greatly enhanced the lives of local children with diabetes, was done through a cross-Canada fundraising campaign by Toys R Us stores. HeA1C testing is available at QIP support group meetings.

1. Offers monthly support group meetings, to provide information and support
to people using or interested in using Insulin Infusion Pumps to control their
diabetes. Anyone with type 1 diabetes is welcome to attend. The meetings are
usually held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Belleville on the 3rd Wednesday
of each month.

2. Quarterly social and recreation activities for families living with Type
1 diabetes, including swimming at CFB Trenton Pool, skating at Yardman Arena,
bowling at Quinte Lanes and annual BBQ. Special seasonal events are planned as
resources permit.

3. Teaming of families with specific needs and resources to provide
mentoring, special needs child care, and social opportunities. Pump Buddies
are encouraged!

4. Encourage members to support Diabetes related events including JDRF Walk
for Cure, Quinte Mall Health Show, Mall Diabetes Day events.

5. Presentations to increase awareness of the group and diabetes treatment
options to local health care providers at community events.

6. Development and distribution of Resource Materials pertaining to
treatment, including School Guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes and Insulin Pumps
through local School Boards.

7. Advocacy for Access to more effective treatment to government, Ministry
of Health, private insurers, health care agencies. This effort has resulted in
development of Emergency Room Treatment protocol for Insulin Pumps at our local
hospital.

8. Working with local service clubs and corporations to stream financial
assistance to members who require it to obtain effective treatment, including
financing for insulin pumps, diabetic supplies, diagnostic tests, travel costs.
This is reserved for cases where other means have been exhausted, a committee
chooses how these funds are distributed through a blinded process. SBs
activities have been instrumental in obtaining insulin pumps for 6 local
members to date.

Quinte Insulin Pumpers Political Mandate:

QIP encourages its members to communicate their needs and experiences to
government, health ministries, health care providers, insurers, and service
groups to increase awareness of the costs, availability and benefits of
effective treatment of Type 1 Diabetes, many of which are not recognized within
current care models.

Pictured is young pumper, Amy and Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings. Amy is explaining to Ernie why insulin pump therapy and other diabetes supplies for insulin dependent diabetes should be covered by OHIP. © Belleville Intelligencer.

Our Volunteer Efforts Include:

1. Lobbying efforts towards coverage of pumps under the Ontario Assertive
Devices Program. Our aim is to obtain at least partial funding for Insulin
Pumps and Supplies, as is presently offered by Medicare in the US.

2. Meeting and providing information to our local government. Our aim is to
increase awareness at the provincial level of the benefits of improved
treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

3. Liaison with Advocacy Committee and local branches of the Canadian
Diabetes Association regarding treatment options and funding. Our aim is to
encourage the CDA to come out in strong support of improved therapy options and
funding, including Insulin Pumps.

4. Interviews and coverage by news media to raise awareness.

5. Support for other organizations and their activities as they relate to
improved care for type 1 diabetes.

6. Provide information and encouragement to members who are dealing with
private insurers and employers, to ensure they obtain coverage to which they
are entitled.

Go to Qinute Minutes of past meetings!

For more information, make a donation to QIP or subscribe to our email list:

Founder: Jill Milliken RN CDE
bemodels@reach.net

Volunteer Coordinator: Nancy Stafford
TaylorCrofton@aol.com

E-news list: Louise Marinier Please contact Louise to subscribe to our email news list!
marinier.carr@cogeco.ca

Communications: Joan Coyea
joan.coyea@sympatico.ca

Treasurer: Tammy Waterfall
tammy.waterfall@sympatico.ca

Important Notice:

View and Download the Insulin Pumpers Canada Ontario Affiliates Brochure!