Ernie Whelan leads the fight against diabetes 100 kilometres farther
Ernie Whelan, the man behind the foundation Gliding Thru Barriers, and four others took their warmest gear to brave the winter conditions and ski across Lake Winnipeg to raise awareness of, and raise funds for diabetes. They completed a trek of 100 kilometres that started out at Hecla Island, Manitoba on Feb. 23 and finished at Victoria Beach on Feb. 27.
Whelan, a fit 36-year old, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007 while working as a Search and Rescue Technician with the Canadian Forces. “Diabetes is no longer a disease of the unhealthy and unfit. It is a disease that can take hold of anyone at anytime. This perception is wrong and it must be changed,” said Whelan on his My Fundraiser page on diabetes.ca.
Motivated to change the perception of people with diabetes, Whelan started his foundation Gliding Thru Barriers and embarked on his first 100-kilometre journey – alone - across frozen Lake Winnipeg in 2011. “Everyone is capable of setting goals and achieving them – including a diabetic,” said Whelan.
On top of the awareness and media attention Gliding Thru Barriers received over the last few months, Ernie and his crew has raised more than $6,000 this year for the Canadian Diabetes Association, matching 2011’s total. And donations are still coming in.
“Diabetes is pandemic and it affects everyone,” said Whelan. “By having the knowledge and the diabetes education, you will be able to glide through anything.”