TEAM DIABETES

WHY "TEAM DIABETES"?

As I mentioned in the previous post, we will be running in the 2011 Reykjavik marathon for Team Diabetes. I also mentioned the hesitation we had in signing ourselves up for something that required so much dedication and effort. But, I have not yet mentioned why we chose to support the Canadian Diabetes Association, as opposed to running the marathon without association, or running the marathon with a different organization.

My sister Taylor was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was a toddler. Now 22 years old, Taylor has always handled her situation with a GENUINE SMILE - never complaining or showing jealousy for a life of another sort. She has never allowed a single poke or prod to bully with her enthusiasm for living or fantastic sense of humour. Taylor is a HERO and manages her condition with optimism and poise.

When we shared our "lightbulb moment" with Taylor, she started to cry. For the first time since Taylor was diagnosed with diabetes 20 years ago, I heard her confess "Linds, some days it is really hard." With both of us in tears, and Phil playing his favourite new role of "big brother", we knew what we had to do.

So here we are. As registered participants with Team Diabetes. We understand we have a lot of work ahead of us, but are eager to get started and make a difference. We would like to dedicate our participation with Team Diabetes to Taylor, the estimated three million Canadians living with diabetes, and the estimated one hundred and seventeen million people living with diabetes worldwide. The money we raise will go towards diabetes education, research, advocacy and programming, while our training intends to increase awareness and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP US:

* Make an online donation to our participation in the Reykjavik marathon with Team Diabetes. You can do this by clicking on the "Team Diabetes" logo on the right side of the page. Follow the on-screen instructions once you have searched for "Phillip Parkinson" or "Lindsay Parkinson" in the search page provided.

* Join Team Diabetes and train for the Reykjavik marathon WITH US! You can choose to walk or run in the full marathon, half marathon, or 10 K events.

* Join our Facebook group, "PARKINSON'S 4 DIABETES", or become a "Follower" on our blog (go to the bottom of the page and click on "Follow")! We will be posting our training and fundraising news to keep you up-to-date!

* Spread the word! Forward our upcoming emails, blog entries, and other messages to friends, family or colleagues that may be interested in supporting Team Diabetes.

* Ask us for a Team Diabetes "Pledge Form" and collect donations at your workplace! The form is easily accessible via email, but we would be happy to send you a copy via a mailing address.

* Send us your fundraising ideas and training tips at: philandlindsparkinson@gmail.com! We appreciate any advice you can offer us as we embark on this new challenge!



To learn more about Team Diabetes, click HERE.

To learn more about the Reykjavik marathon, click HERE.