TORONTO, ON (June 6, 2023) – This year, Diabetes Canada is encouraging Canadians to Lace up to End Diabetes through a fundraiser where participants can choose their own activity (walk, run, ride, dance, swim…anything that gets you moving!) and set their own pace. Participants can set a personal challenge or rally a team to #LaceUpYourWay and raise funds to help improve the lives of the nearly 12 million people in Canada who are affected by diabetes.
“Lace Up is all about choosing the activity that works for your body and lifestyle,” says Laura Syron, President & CEO of Diabetes Canada and person who lives with type 2 diabetes. “Last year I challenged myself to do a 24-hour basketball free-throw-a-thon…and I’m excited to come up with a new challenge for this year!”
“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 Sandra Genua, long-time Lacer and person who lives with type 2 diabetes.” I think my diagnosis was a wake-up call and the reason I participate in Lace Up to End Diabetes every year is to raise awareness and funds to destigmatize diabetes and help find a cure.”
Not your average fundraising walk or run, Lace Up to End Diabetes is all about fostering a safe, inclusive space where “Lacers” of any fitness level and ability can unite in support of people living with all types of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in a way that works with their lives and busy schedules:
- Choose your activity and set the pace.
- Track progress, raise funds and connect with others through the Lace Up app.
- Join challenges on the Lace Up app or host a Lace Up Day to showcase a favourite sport or workout.
- Participate in cross-Canada challenges like the 100K Challenge or the 30-Day Challenge.
- Host a game day or sports tournament or even enlist a favourite fitness class to Lace Up.
- Take part in Lace Up Day (Sunday, September 24, 2023), a cross-country relay hosted on Diabetes Canada’s social channels, to hear stories from local Lacers, learn tips from the pros, celebrate accomplishments, and more.
For the first time in Lace Up history, Diabetes Canada is striving to raise half a million dollars—every distance and dollar helps fund education, services, advocacy, and diabetes research that can lead to the next big medical breakthrough. Join Lace Up to End Diabetes or donate to help bring us one step closer to a cure. Register today.