This summer, 12 teens who live with Type 1 diabetes, scaled the highest mountain peak in Ukraine by taking part in the DiaGoverla project run under the slogan “Diabetes can’t stop to reach the top!” Youngsters got the opportunity to travel to the Carpathian Mountains and climb Goverla as a reward for their victory in the ninth National Drawing Contest among children with diabetes. The annual Sanofi Ukraine CSR initiative was held under the auspices of the Association of Children’s Endocrinologists.
Country Chair of Sanofi Ukraine Guilhem Granier accompanied the young travellers as well as relatives, experienced doctors, trekking instructors and Sanofi Ukraine employees.
In this article, Kyiv Post readers will delve into the young participants’ preparation, challenges, and the final conquest of Goverla.
DiaGoverla project participants
Preparation
Guilhem Granier, Sanofi Ukraine Country Chair
Sanofi focuses not only on providing patients with therapeutic solutions, but also on expanding opportunities for people, so they can live life to its full potential.
For more than 10 years, we have been implementing our CSR program “Act for Diabetes” in Ukraine, focusing on educating patients to live with diabetes and manage their disease, raising awareness about diabetes and diabetes prevention in society as well as how to reduce the diabetes stigma.
One of the key projects within this program is the National Drawing Contest among children with diabetes. This year the project acquired the continuation and turned into the DiaGoverla initiative, thus lending a great deal of color to our CSR activities and becoming an extra milestone for us.
In the run-up to this project, I was impressed by the strong motivation of Sanofi Ukraine employees engaged in this initiative. So many people wanted to accompany children with diabetes and provide support on this challenging journey to the top.
We launched DiaGoverla project to empower patients emotionally for disease management, strengthen their desire to get involved in sports, develop their skills and creativity. We also wanted to give them the opportunity to say to their relatives, friends, teachers and all Ukrainians that with proper diabetes treatment and management anything is possible.
Vladyslav Chumachenko, mountaineering instructor
I have been mountaineering for 14 years, and since 2009, I have been working as a trekking instructor and hiking. Now I lead the children’s camp “Extreme”. We involve different children in our activities – with disabilities, with autism.
When I first heard about the DiaGoverla project, I was sure that with the experience of working with different children, we would succeed. Nevertheless, there is absolutely no way to foresee what experience your climb will bring you.
Before taking children with diabetes to Goverla, my team and I were afraid of the heat. We understood that the pace of movement would be slower than usual, and it could be a real problem. On cloudy days, climbing the mountain is easier. We even discussed with organizers the possibility of beginning the ascent at 4 am in the morning to traverse the open space before the sunrise, thereby preventing children from a heat stroke. However, we were lucky with the weather.
Daria Gaidash, the winner of the National Drawing Contest among children with diabetes
My doctor suggested that I paint a picture for the Drawing Contest among children with diabetes on the topic: “Sport in my life”. At that time, I used to do aerial gymnastics on canvases, which became the subject of my drawing. Two weeks later the winners were announced, and I saw my name on the list. I was delighted, but when I realized that the winners would scale the highest mountain in Ukraine, Goverla, I felt even happier.
The thing is that my dad and I have already attempted to conquer Goverla, but due to some reasons, we had to descend. Then my dad promised me that we would try again someday. Since that time, it has been my dream to climb Goverla!
Daria Gaidash climbing the highest mountain in Ukraine
Ascent
Guilhem Granier
While ascending the mountain I was constantly inspired by the children, by the fact that they do not let their diabetes hold them back. Mountain hiking is one of the greatest things you can do for your health, both mental and physical. Standing on top of the mountain with a 360-degree view is something everybody should experience. I am happy that teenagers with diabetes achieved this!
Vladyslav Chumachenko
I was very pleased to see how children and adults were enjoying the trip. This is much more important than just climbing the mountain. The most remarkable thing for me was the great motivation and confidence of these teenagers. In the most difficult moments – when someone had a fast heartbeat or high blood sugar levels – they still smiled and reacted to my jokes, and I thought: “This means everything’s under control.”
Daria Gaidash
The last meters of ascent were the most challenging for me. When we finally reached the top, I had incredible feelings and such gratitude for this beautiful world, for being able to do this and I felt as if I could conquer the world. I was proud of myself for pushing through until the end, no matter how difficult it was.
Afterglow
Guilhem Granier
Sanofi is a patient-focused company. Being patient-focused means listening to patients’ voices to focus on real needs by understanding what it is like to live with their disease or condition, what is missing from their current treatment and where gaps exist in their care.
I am very pleased that my colleagues and I took part in the DiaGoverla project, as it gave us an opportunity to spend time with people with diabetes in an informal and unique atmosphere and to communicate with patients whom we work for at Sanofi.
Vladyslav Chumachenko
I am proud that my team took part in the DiaGoverla project. It is nice that in Ukraine there are people and companies with the courage and responsibility to implement such meaningful projects.
Daria Gaidash
I am very grateful for the opportunity to climb Goverla together with other children with diabetes. After all, only friends with the same illness can fully empathize and support. After this journey, I became even more aware that the most important thing is not to stay alone with the illness. It is the friendships I made during this project that made it memorable.
Diabetes does require careful monitoring of blood glucose level, regular examinations and continuous treatment. However, the disease should not be a reason to reject the joys of life like daring endeavors and new experiences. Thanks to the DiaGoverla project, we have proven that diabetes cannot stop us from reaching the top!
