CN donates $150,000 to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to help reduce Type 2 diabetes in children

WINNIPEG, Nov. 3, 2008 – CN announced today a donation of $150,000 to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to assist Dr. Jonathan McGavock, a child health researcher at the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, in researching the role of physical activity in reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes in children.

“CN is proud to support this much-needed research that will help Dr. McGavock discover how to help put a stop to the increasing number of children with Type 2 diabetes," said Jim Vena, CN's senior vice-president, Western Region.  "As a company whose employees, retirees, customers, suppliers and rail lines are part of the fabric of life in hundreds of cities and towns across North America, we are committed to helping build stronger communities to provide a healthier and safer environment for our youth.”

Dr. McGavock and his research team are at the forefront of studying physical activities that help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in children. The team is currently recruiting teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age who may be at risk for diabetes.  These adolescent participants will undergo a risk evaluation for diabetes and subsequently enroll in a six- month exercise-training program three times a week.

Ten years ago, Type 2 diabetes was unknown among children.  Today, this disease has jumped 15-fold due to obesity, poor nutrition and lack of exercise.  Every week in Manitoba, a child is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By 2025, the number of children with this disease is expected to double unless changes are made in childhood lifestyle. What is more alarming is that Manitoba is disproportionately affected since Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 30% of all new cases of pediatric diabetes in the province.

“Among Canadian provinces, Manitoba has one of the highest concentrations of young people with Type 2 diabetes, which is why we need a thorough understanding of how to manage or prevent diabetes in youth,” said Dr. McGavock. “The goal or our current research is to identify exactly how much exercise is needed.” 

What makes Dr. McGavock's study unique in Canada is that participants will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging of their muscles and liver, which is expected to give researchers insight into some of the early warning signs of childhood diabetes. 

“The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is very grateful to CN for supporting the priorities of our Foundation,” said Lesia Sianchuk, Executive Director of the Foundation. “This is the largest gift that CN has contributed to child health care in Manitoba.”

The CN Stronger Communities Fund supports children's hospitals to fight childhood diseases and save the lives of children. The fund also contributes to organizations, programs and initiatives that prevent childhood injuries and promote healthy lifestyles for youth.

The Children's Hospital Foundation invests over $3.5 million annually into pediatric research programs and training at its Manitoba Institute of Child Health. The Foundation's support through the interest and commitment of corporations such as CN helps advance world-class research right here in Manitoba bringing hope for children and their families.