Changing one life at a time with the Sun Life Diabetes Prevention and Remission Clinic

[Music]

[Entrance to the CENTRE ÉPIC INSTITUTE DE CARIOLOGIE DE MONTRÉAL]

Robert Dumas: France. I’m so pleased to meet you!

France Wagner: The pleasure is mine, Mr. Dumas.

[ROBERT DUMAS, President and CEO, Sun Life Quebec]

Robert Dumas: I understand that you benefitted from the care services at the Sun Life Diabetes Remission Clinic.

[FRANCE WAGNER, Patient, Centre ÉPIC]

France Wagner: Yes, absolutely. And I succeeded in my goal to reverse diabetes. I was diagnosed with type two diabetes, prediabetes.

Robert Dumas: How did you feel when you were told that you had prediabetes? What was your first reaction?

France Wagner: I was very disappointed in myself because I thought I was doing the right things on my own. I was taking care of myself. But when they told me, I thought: it’s not enough. So, I wanted to get support. That’s why I went to the Clinic, and the Clinic really helped me.

Robert Dumas: Tell me about the first time you went to the Clinic.

France Wagner: Well, listen, it was very heartening to know that there were specialists in every field.

[Inside the Centre ÉPIC, nurses attend to patients and take medical notes in a collection room.]

France Wagner: It’s a global approach, that kind of support. We’re supported in terms of nutrition, in terms of health, the medical exam with a nurse practitioner. There’s a kinesiologist who tells us how... specialists who really listen to us as well. It was France Wagner who wanted to take on the challenge.

Robert Dumas: Tell me about the first things you changed in your approach to healthy lifestyle habits and exercise. What were the first messages?

France Wagner: The first messages, is that I realized that I was very active actually, that I walked a lot. However, I hated strength training and that’s when I understood it was important. I’d also say that they educated me. I thought I ate well, but it turned out not to be the case.

Robert Dumas: You are a wonderful example of success.

France Wagner: I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of myself because I succeeded and I consider myself to be an active, successful person. That helped me continue. It gives you the energy to carry on.

Robert Dumas: On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank you. On behalf of the Clinic, I want to thank you. I want to especially thank you on behalf of the people who are listening to your message and who will take action.

France Wagner: Thank you, thank you so much. I hope many of them will because I think it’s a genuine example that it can be achieved. We feel a lot better.

[Music]

[Sun Life logo] [Foundation ICM logo]