ESSO helps fill Diabetes Association’s coffers

Esso Bermuda is pumped up to help combat diabetes.

The company presented the Bermuda Diabetes Association a $30,000 cheque. The money was raised through Esso’s ‘Help Us Help’ promotion, whereby for every gallon of gas that was pumped at all Esso stations from November 16, 2012 through to January 11, 2013, 5¢ was donated to the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

Participating Esso stations were: Sandys, Port Royal, Warwick, BIU, Esso City 24/7, Collector’s Hill, Crawl and St. George’s.

All proceeds raised will go to the Bermuda Diabetes Association in order to assist the organisation’s daily operations as well as to aid in the support of the Diabetes Association’s educational and outreach programmes.

Mark Fields, lead country manager for Esso Bermuda, said in a press release: “We are very pleased with the amount that we were able to raise. ‘Help Us Help’ was a concerted effort between the local Esso dealers, customers and Esso Bermuda to support the Bermuda Diabetes Association.  It is our belief that during good and difficult economic times Esso Bermuda will always strive to assist the charities in Bermuda.”

David Hills, chairman of Bermuda Diabetes Association, said: “Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges on the island and raising awareness of this disease, including its symptoms and how to prevent it, is at the top of our Association’s agenda.

Generous

“This very generous financial contribution from Esso Bermuda is greatly appreciated and will provide us with the opportunity to increase the educational programming, continue our collaboration opportunities with the Diabetes Centre with outreach programming, and meet our objectives in terms of understanding diabetes and increasing public knowledge of the disease”.

Dr Annabel Fountain, Bermuda Hospitals Board director of Endocrinology and deputy chair of the Bermuda Diabetes Association, said: “I would like to thank Esso for the tremendously generous donation and also particularly to thank them for the campaign to improve awareness of Diabetes in our community with the Esso to Esso Walk highlighting the importance of exercise and lifestyle management. We look forward to partnering with Esso again in the future in the hope that over time, we can reduce the impact that this disease is having on our island.”

Grateful

Sara McKittrick, diabetes educator, Bermuda Diabetes Association, added: “We are very grateful to Esso Bermuda for providing such generous support. Any opportunity to be able to raise awareness in the community of the need to look after our health, particularly encouraging those with diabetes to take control of the disease, is very welcome.

“When the message is endorsed and inspired by the support of an organization like Esso Bermuda, the message becomes even stronger, and benefits our whole community”.