By Stan Ashbee
Diabetes Canada has launched a fundraising challenge, where your training ground is the kitchen — it’s a cooking challenge, not a 10K.
With Aprons in Action, participants build confidence, cook healthy meals, raise funds, and compete for a chance to cook live with celebrity chefs on World Diabetes Day Nov. 14 in Toronto.
Participants can register and fundraise as an individual or corporate team, and can create original recipes in one of three categories, including appetizer, main or dessert.
Diabetes Canada Director of Development Tyler Wiebe says the main thing that sets this campaign apart is it’s not your typical peer-to-peer fundraiser. “Anyone can do it.”
“I live with Type 1 diabetes. Food brings me joy. Just because I have this condition, it doesn’t mean it has to drastically impact me. I can still be thoughtful about what I eat,” Wiebe adds. “In the kitchen, we can all take ownership of our health. It’s a great way for anyone with or without diabetes to simply get involved with a cooking challenge that’s easily accessible and spend the time doing things together with their family or on their own.”
According to Wiebe, participants have until September to register and fundraise.
The celebrity chef ambassadors are also personally connected to the cause, Wiebe notes. “Once you get to the point, if you’re the final top vote-getter for your recipe, you have an opportunity to go to Toronto for the finale and cook with celebrity chefs in front of the audience. It’s a really big to-do, year-long activity with a huge finale.”
Wiebe says the goal for this campaign is to raise $1 million, which will go towards Diabetes Canada programs, research and advocacy efforts.
For more information or to register, visit online at apronsinaction.ca.
