Runner Heading to Istanbul for Ninth Team Diabetes Challenge!
“If I’ve saved someone from struggling through something, then it’s worth it.” Nicole Calvert-McKeag, Team Diabetes Champion.
Nicole Calvert-McKeag joined Team Diabetes in 2005 to help raise money for diabetes and to participate in the 2006 Rome Marathon. Her friends and family thought the marathon part of it was crazy (she did too when she realized how far it was!) but they were great supporters from the start.
Nicole joined the team because her girlfriend had gestational diabetes and saw the struggles she faced and the concern for her child that this new diagnosis brought. She didn’t imagine at the time that her connection to diabetes would become even closer.
Upon her return for Rome, Nicole signed up for Rio and soon after Dublin. It turned out that 2007 would be more eventful than she expected or would have wanted. It was the year that her youngest son, just four years old at the time, would be diagnosed with diabetes.
Since then, each race Nicole runs brings more focus and attention to diabetes. Disney World was her eldest son’s opportunity to show support for his younger brother. London was run in memory of a father that had passed away due to diabetes complications. He left behind his 12 year old son, Clint, and Nicole felt this would be a way she could honour his father’s memory. Ottawa was a chance to celebrate Team Diabetes’ 10th anniversary and the difference alumni have made over the years. Toronto was run with friends in the team relay and she is now embarking on her next international challenge – Istanbul!
When asked what have been the most rewarding aspects of her Team Diabetes participation, she replied,”I can’t find a cure, but I can support those who can by raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association. The people I have met and the lasting friendships that have formed are incredible and another great aspect of the program.”
The support of the community and the hope of a cure continue to inspire Nicole as she trains and fundraises for Istanbul, her ninth Team Diabetes event! Nicole encourages others to join the team and cites a few reasons: to support diabetes; to be Canadian ambassadors for diabetes (we’re pretty visible on the race course!); and to create new, like minded support networks. She also points out that the travel aspect of the program is pretty sweet too!