Sandra Genua says her type 2 diabetes diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise. “My family has a history of diabetes and while pregnant with my first born, I became pretty stationary and I knew at some point I might be impacted,” says Genua, an avid hiker who today says she feels better in her 50s than she did in her 30s, even with her diabetes. “I think my diagnosis was a wake-up call. I participate in Lace Up to End Diabetes every year to raise awareness and funds to destigmatize diabetes, and help find a cure.”
Every September, Diabetes Canada holds their Lace Up to End Diabetes event. The national celebration—which brings together 1000s of athletes, runners, walkers, cyclists, mothers pushing strollers and everyone in between—raises money and awareness to fund education, support services, advocacy and diabetes research that could lead to the next big medical breakthrough. With a tracking app to help participants on their fundraising quest to reach either a fun 30-day or 100-kilometre challenge, every distance and dollar make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes or prediabetes.
Maggie Stewart, who participates every year in the Lace Up to End Diabetes challenge—inspired by Aven, her 5-year-old grandniece who was diagnosed with type1 diabetes last December—believes more Canadians should be involved with the excellent program. “By getting involved with Lace Up to End Diabetes and Diabetes Canada, I’ve learned more about type 1 diabetes and want to get the message out there about the challenges surrounding this condition,” she says. “It’s important to not only make life easier for people who are living with diabetes, but also to find a cure.”
Diabetes Canada will be active this spring at races in Halifax, Saskatoon and Winnipeg and registering participants for their Lace Up to End Diabetes campaign all summer long. Visit laceup.diabetes.ca for more information on the various ways to participate, including corporate teams looking to take part in important charitable work.
Sandra Genua has already begun fundraising and says she wants to recruit as many Canadians as possible to join her on her run. “I hope my journey will influence others to consider both their own lifestyles and all of the Canadians who are currently living with diabetes,” Genua says. “Getting involved with Lace Up to End Diabetes and Diabetes Canada has been a game-changer for me and it’s inspiring to make measurable progress to improve my health. I’m feeling super pumped because I know Diabetes Canada is recruiting the entire country to help them continue to accomplish big things.”
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