Happy December to you and yours from the Public Engagement Committee and the Obesity Canada team. Also, how is it already December? As we head into the hectic holiday season it’s always nice to take a breath and reflect on the year – and what a year 2018 has been!
We changed our name, launched a new bilingual website loaded with resources for public and professional users and, most importantly, traveled the world earning our place as thought leaders and change agents influencing conversations and understanding around the complex disease of obesity.
Fueling our work this year is the palpable cultural shift in how people living with obesity are being viewed. This year has taught us that representation matters. From seeing people living with Obesity in marketing campaigns, to more formal recognition of Obesity as an NCD, to poignant moments of sharing our lived experiences it is undeniable that change is happening and our voices are starting to be heard.
The Public Engagement Committee team has one main objective: to build a vibrant community that empowers people living with obesity. We are ready to build upon the momentum of 2018, and we will continue to push for change and influence on as many levels as possible in 2019 through advocacy, membership building and fundraising.
In 2019 we hope to meet more of you and to have even bigger and better conversations. We will continue to develop tools and resources, share more stories of the reality of living with obesity, push for the much-needed improvement to access to care and treatment. On that note, why not join us at our first (of what we hope will be many) public event!
It is time for change. It is time for better understanding. It is time to be heard, seen and understood. Thank you for supporting us in 2018 – we look forward to more activity in 2019!
Let’s do this!
Lisa Schaffer
