Hello, Again!
Our returning alumni have many reasons for signing up year after year. For Ann, the first time she saw an article about Team Diabetes, she realized that it was something she was capable of doing to make a difference and affect her husband’s life as someone living with diabetes. “Living with someone with diabetes and watching all the challenges they face can be like sitting on the sidelines watching a game go badly. When I joined Team Diabetes, I felt like I was one of the players in that game and I could have an affect on the outcome of that game. I think that has been the essence of my involvement with Team Diabetes over the years. Everything else has been a bonus, but I would always come back to my first time - changing the outcome of the game.”
For Lisa, completing a marathon with Team Diabetes was meant to be a “one-time, cross it off the bucket list” event. A few years after completing the first one, she reflected that it helped her become more fit, it was a great diabetes awareness tool within her community and the funds she raised helped so many. She decided she wanted to do another one and convinced a neighbour to join her. She now does one at least once every year and “usually brings along a friend to share in the triumph!”.
For those who don’t have diabetes themselves, participating with Team Diabetes is one way they can make a difference for those they know living with diabetes. Ann’s husband has been living with Type 1 diabetes for over 50 years and when asked how she feels her participation is making a difference, she responded that “the fundraising is helping push forward some amazing breakthroughs in diabetes research; and then to see how this can personally affect my husband is very exciting”.
Lisa didn’t know much about diabetes when she first joined the program but since then she has met so many people who are driven toward finding a cure. She knows that when a cure is found, she’ll have played a small part in that, “like a drop in the ocean amounting to a big, big wave”.
With so many exciting events, many of our alumni have a clear favourite while others find it a little more difficult to choose. Easter Island is Ann’s which isn’t surprising given it’s one of the most unique destination our team has ever gone to. She liked the fact that the team was small so everyone really got to know each other and they had the opportunity to explore the island. Also, the marathon itself was definitely “unique” (run across the island, round the traffic cone, run back, wait for the cattle to cross the road).
Lisa had a harder time choosing as every event has something amazing, whether it be location, a personal best race, the team mates that have become friends but Easter Island also ranks among her favourite as it was so remote and such an amazing cultural experience. She also loved Costa Rica and the opportunity to switch from running to doing an amazing hike through the rain forest. Each and every event has been life changing for her.
With a great selection of international destinations on the 2013 calendar to choose from, Vienna was the clear choice as their next event for both of them. Ann has always wanted to see Vienna for its history and architecture so Team Diabetes once again provided the perfect opportunity to satisfy her wanderlust and support the important work of the Association at the same time. Lisa hasn’t spent as much time in Europe as she would like and Vienna has that old-world charm that gives her shivers! Plus it’s not a typical vacation spot so it intrigues her as a city with hidden gems.
In addition to making a difference for her husband, the travel and the team members Ann meets, the opportunity to create awareness in her community, particularly among high risk groups, is another aspect that draws her to Team Diabetes. It is also a great reason to get out and stay physically fit when training for the marathons. Team Diabetes has been a key factor in Lisa choosing to take care of her health and teaching her children about being active and eating healthy. She is so thankful that she gets to combine those things with her love of travel and giving back to the community. She also loves that she feels part of a family that the team has built.
Summarizing the essence of Team Diabetes into five words can be almost as challenging as the events themselves but they managed to do it and each had their own unique spin on it! Team, Health, Leaders, Champions, World Travelers; Friendly, globe-trotting runners, fundraising for diabetes!
Having completed so many events, they both know a thing or two about staying motivated through both the fundraising and the training. Here are a few tips they shared.
Ann: Find someone who is participating in the same event so you can encourage each other through the process. Also, don’t fixate on the end goal, instead work milestone to milestone. If you are struggling with fundraising ideas, connect with someone who has been through it before to get some ideas on what has worked for them!
Lisa: I tend to think of the fundraising as a part-time job. You can do so many things to raise the money, and I’m pretty sure I’ve done them all! Show up and you get paid. That’s the biggest thing. The training is something that I consider one of the perks of being on the team. I GET to take care of myself and really commit to the goal. Yes, there can be some setbacks: injury, illness, lack of motivation. But that’s when you can draw from your Team to get back on track. We’ve all been there, pushed through and crossed the finish line!
Connecting with team members through the Team Diabetes facebook groups specific to your event, attending the Team Diabetes celebration and information nights and calling in for the free webinars are all other great ways to stay motivated. These are also a great opportunity to get to know some of your teammates ahead of time, particularly if you are traveling solo as Ann has done a few times. She has this insight for anyone who may be hesitant to sign up on their own: “I have found the team members to be extremely inclusive and often there are a lot of other people travelling by themselves as well. It’s just a wonderful way to meet new friends.”
Join Ann, Lisa and other dedicated team members from across Canada in the “City of Music” in April! Deadline to register is October 31st but sign up sooner to get a head start on your fundraising and training!
Check out team photos from our past events!
For more information on how you too can make an impact with Team Diabetes, please visit our website at www.teamdiabetes.ca.