(Edmonton, AB) — For those looking for a fun, healthy and gratifying way to spend a Sunday afternoon, VisionMed extends an invitation to join them at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Campaign on June 5 at 10 a.m. at William Hawrelak Park in Edmonton. Registration for the walk is at 8 a.m.

VisionMed, a leading eye care facility with offices in Edmonton and Vancouver, is demonstrating its commitment to the importance of optimum eye health and regular eye examinations by sponsoring six of the Walk to Cure Campaigns taking place in Northern Alberta this year (Grand Prairie, Edmonton, Westlock, Red Deer, Lloydminster, and Fort McMurray). The company will also have a team of its own participating in the Edmonton Walk — a group of 16 employees who are each committed to raising $100 per person for the cause.

"As a type 1 diabetic, it is extremely gratifying for me to see companies like VisionMed become involved in sponsoring fundraising events like the Walk to Cure," comments Detective Pat McCormack, of the Edmonton Police Service. "Anything which we, as a community, can do to join together in both fighting for a cure and helping those already afflicted manage their overall health is vitally important."

According to Dr. Michael Melenchuk, CEO of VisionMed, “Those afflicted with juvenile type 1 diabetes face a variety of health concerns, including being at an increased risk of visual impairment and even blindness. It is our goal — by joining with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for this event — to bring greater attention to the importance of regular eye examinations for the early detection of diabetes and to determine any changes which might indicate diabetic retinopathy or other related diseases.”

Significant advances in research now make it possible to prevent, reduce, or repair damage to the eyes caused by diabetes. However, according to the Canadian Public Health Agency, diabetes is still the leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults in North America — with well over 25,000 cases reported each year. Additionally, approximately 90 percent of people who have had diabetes for 15 years or longer will have some changes in the back of the eye. Among people who have had type 1 diabetes for 15 years or longer, 30 percent will develop a vision-endangering condition called proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind reports that over the past three years diabetic retinopathy has been the leading cause of vision loss for its clients in all age groups.

The Walk to Cure Diabetes is the fastest growing fundraising event in the history of JDRF and is the fastest growing walk in the world. Each year, more than 45,000 people across Canada Walk to Cure Diabetes - including representatives from more than 600 corporations, local companies and families. Walkers raise funds by asking friends, relatives, co-workers and suppliers to pledge them for participating. Since its inception the Walk has raised over $42 million for research, with $6.7 million in 2004 alone.

VisionMed is a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Family Vision Care Ltd. (FVC) and currently operates vision correction centres in Edmonton and Vancouver. FVC is a medium sized Western Canadian based company with 84 employees and doctors. FVC has been successfully correcting patients’ vision since 1977. For more information visit, www.visionmed.ca or call toll free, 1.800.655.0766.

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