Kimberley Hanson is the Executive Director of Diabetes Canada and an advocate for better diabetes care. Currently, she is spearheading the Diabetes 360° initiative, aimed at creating a nation-wide strategy to address diabetes by reducing risks and increasing clinical outcomes. Hanson has also advocated for diabetes prevention, working tirelessly to rally for taxes on sugary beverages to reduce high sugar consumption.
Hanson has type 1 diabetes and comes from a family with a history of the condition passed down from her mother, Judi Ferne, a nurse in Ottawa. Ferne’s grandfather was diagnosed with diabetes and two of her sisters died from diabetes complications in their twenties. When Hanson herself developed the condition at age 20, Ferne acted. She volunteered, raising money and awareness to support her daughter and other Canadians living with diabetes.
While Hanson developed diabetes in 1995, she was not diagnosed for two years. She went to the doctor about her symptoms of thirst and weight loss and explained her family history of diabetes, but her doctor dismissed it as anorexia. Her condition worsened. She got sicker and sicker until they finally diagnosed her two years later. At this point, she was nearly in a coma. This experience of being left undiagnosed and untreated for years left Hanson angry and catalyzed her advocacy.
Hanson received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia (1995) and Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa (1999). Prior to joining Diabetes Canada, Hanson held senior management positions in Communications at Export Development Canada and Payments Canada. She became the Director of Federal Affairs at Diabetes Canada in 2017 and the Executive Director in 2018.
Diabetes Canada is a nation-wide diabetes charity. Its mission is to serve the 11 million Canadians living with diabetes through its educational programs, guidelines for diabetes management, investments in diabetes research, and advocacy work to develop federal policies to improve diabetes and increase access to needed treatments. Hanson’s greatest impact in her lead role is the Diabetes 360° initiative, which addresses Canada’s lack of a strategy to address diabetes. Diabetes 360° is a comprehensive strategy created by and for the diabetes community. It aims to have 90% of Canadians in an environment that reduces their risk of diabetes, 90% of Canadians aware of their diabetes status, 90% of Canadians with diabetes engaged in preventing complications, and 90% of Canadians with improved health outcomes. Diabetes 360° summarizes tactical plans to reach each of these targets, which include, but are not limited to: educating healthy living and eating, increasing access to healthy food options, ending diabetes stigma, increasing screening for diabetes, increasing access to treatment, and reducing rates of complications. This strategic plan aims to reduce diabetes in Canada and save over $20 billion dollars in the healthcare system over seven years, starting in 2019.
Throughout her career, Hanson and her family have raised over $1 million for type 1 diabetes research. She is presently based in Ottawa. Her diabetes is well-managed, and she continues her advocacy to ensure quality care for all Canadians living with diabetes.
— Written by Stephanie Tran