On Friday February 28th a very special performance of the Steel Magnolias play at Granville Island was organized for the general public. In addition to the stage production, the public were invited to a “Focus on Diabetes Talkback” with a panel from community, industry, and health care. The panel included Type 1 diabetes advocates, cast members and a clinician. The audience had many questions related to diabetes, pregnancy, and research. One key theme of the discussion was how far diabetes care and management have come through research and technological advancements since the story of Steel Magnolias was written in the 1980’s. The panel shared their optimism and excitement for the continued advancement and improvements and how rapid the changes are coming to improve management of diabetes.
The panel included:
Julie Donnelly – a member of Donnelly Group Realty and a Vancouver real estate agent. Julie’s team is dedicated to giving back to BC Children’s Hospital Childhood Diabetes Laboratories to help eradicate the disease and help children and their families cope with diabetes in our communities.
Lindsay LeClair – Director of Legal Affairs for First West Credit Union, living with Type 1 Diabetes and advocates for research to prevent, treat and cure type one diabetes and heart disease.
Dr Dina Panagiotopoulos – Pediatric endocrinologist and researcher at the BC Children’s Hospital and a founding member of the BC Diabetes Research Network. Dr Panagiotopoulos is an active clinician and translational researcher investigating early detection and complications of diabetes. She participates in many large research projects that directly improve the lives of those living with diabetes across British Columbia.
Steel Magnolias cast members also joined the panel and their experience sharing the Steel Magnolias story of strength, beauty and resilience.
.Jaime Piercy – who plays “Shelby” and Lalainia Lindbjerg – who plays “M’Lynn” and is a producer of the production.
We are grateful to our panelists for sharing their stories and experience and for Boone Dog Productions, Shel Piercy – Director / Producer, and the entire cast and crew of Steel Magnolias for their generous support of the diabetes research community in BC and the BC Children’s Hospital.
The stage production of Steel Magnolias is playing through March 8, 2020 at the Nest on Granville Island.
For tickets visit: www.steelmagnoliasvancouver.com