Nov 06, 2008 - 10:57 AM

By Parvaneh Pessian

WHITBY -- Priscilla Lopes-Schliep reached victorious heights this summer at the Olympics, but now she's tackling a challenge of a different kind.

As part of national diabetes month in November, the bronze-medal winner in the women's 100-metre hurdles is talking about her experience of living with the prevalence of diabetes in her family.

With several of her loved ones -- her grandmother, cousin and aunts -- diagnosed, Ms. Lopes-Schliep said she understands the effects first-hand and wants people to be informed.

"I've seen the hurdles that my (family) has overcome and being a hurdler myself, I understand that any challenge is difficult," the Whitby native said. "But it's about being able to initiate treatment and becoming aware of the complications if you put it off for too long."

Diabetes awareness month is held to encourage people to go out and get tested early for the disease, but also to educate those who already live with it or know people who do, said Keri Semenko, co-ordinator for the Durham Region Diabetes Network.

"Take advantage of the resources that are available in the community, because even if you've had diabetes for a long time, things change in terms of what's regarded as the best practices around care, so it's important for people to continue to learn about living with the disease and make the best choices for themselves."

As someone with a family history of diabetes, Ms. Lopes-Schliep said she understands the fear associated with getting checked out. But she said it's worth it if it means avoiding complications associated with improper management like heart disease and stroke, vision problems and kidney failure.

"If you do what you're supposed to and what the doctors recommend, you can be a champion," she said, listing the various forms of management, including exercise and meal planning, insulin or oral medication and glucose monitoring. "You can basically overcome diabetes by taking charge and finding the proper treatment that fits your lifestyle."

Diabetes is a disease characterized by high concentrations of glucose (sugar) in the blood due to a deficiency in insulin production by the pancreas or an improper use of insulin. Increased levels of glucose in the blood can damage the body's systems, including the blood vessels and nerves.

More than two million Canadians have diabetes and that number is expected to rise to three million by the end of the decade, says the Canadian Diabetes Association.

For information on diabetes and awareness events taking place across the region this month, call 905-623-3331 or visit www.durhamdiabetesnetwork.ca.