The Bayer Dream Fund

The Bayer Dream Fund is multi-national scheme that provides millions of people with diabetes inspiration and encouragement through oustanding examples of what can be accomplished through successful self-management. The campaign has been held since 2002 in countries, such as Europe, United States of America, Canada and South Korea. Bayer Dream Fund winners' hard work, creativity and positive attitude have provided inspiration to countless people with diabetes across the world.

Diabetes Hongkong & Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association jointly organized the first Bayer Dream Fund in Hong Kong in 2007, with an aim to help diabetic patients realize their dreams. Three winners have been selected in the year end.

1. Event Launch: 24 July 2007
2. Recruitment: 25 July 2007
3. Media Luncheon: 11 August 2007
4. Application Deadline: 15 September 2007
5. Candidates Selection: 6 October 2007
6. Winners’ Announcement: 7 December 2007
7. Dream Realization: 12 December 2007 ~ end of March 2008
8. Winner Press Conference: 13 April 2008
   

Grand Prize Winner: Samantha Poon

24 years old Samantha was diagnosed Type I diabetes in 2005. Three shots of insulin are mandatory in the everyday life of Samantha. Fortunately, she chooses to follow her doctor’s advice of managing her blood glucose, started her yoga training and attained a qualification in professional yoga tutorship.

In 2007, Samantha joined the Bayer Dream Fund, and was selected to realize her dream of taking a senior yoga tutorship program in Bangalore of India. In the two month stay in India, Samantha had overcome multiple challenges in physique, language and culture, and experienced the significance of good blood glucose management. 

Samantha said, “my Yoga tutor told me that ‘ 7 - 1 = 0 ’ – it is essential to practice Yoga everyday, and if you skipped practicing for one day, the result is zero. Blood glucose monitoring is just a similar case; one should not find excuses for not doing this.”

2 ^nd Prize: Casper Chan

26 years old Casper was diagnosed Type 1 diabetes at the age of 16.  Once she was so stubborn and refused to take blood glucose control seriously. As a result, she had developed different diabetic complications.

According to Casper, “was unemployed and could not go out on my own, my friends also stayed away from me.”  Her pet dog is the only company in her lonely life.

Casper decided to give herself a challenge: to discipline her impish dog at home. She had received a sponsorship from Bayer Dream Fund to start a professional dog training course. With the two months of training, she said, “There’re lots of techniques in dog training, and I believe that I can do this with my patience & persistence, just like blood glucose monitoring. I would like to take good care of myself too.”

3 ^rd Prize: Kammie Yu

38 years old Kammie discovered her abnormal blood glucose level from a test in the chemistry lesson, when she was just 16. 

After that, Kammie was being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Living with DM for over 20 years, Kammie know better than anyone the limitations of diet for DM patients.  She decided to enrich her knowledge in nutrition, and had achieved a various professional qualifications. 

Kammie said, “I always wish that I can share my knowledge of nutrition and cooking tips with other DM patients, therefore, I have taken a big challenge a few years ago – to organize the first DM camp.”   

She has established a patient group for diabetes patients called “Angel of Diabetic” at end of 2007, with an objective to provide public education on diabetes.  Her patient centre has just opened in mid June 2008.