Heather Latter
McKenna Begin didn’t know much about diabetes until last August when her younger brother, Matthew, now 13, was diagnosed with Type 1.
Now the Grade 12 student at Fort High is bringing awareness to the disease—and raising money for the cause—with an event she’s spearheading, with help from the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, called “Dash 4 Diabetes.”
“I decided in the summertime that this was something I wanted to do,” Begin noted, adding she was put in touch with Shauna-Leigh Carlson of the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre to get the ball rolling.
She noted it was a big change for her family when her brother was diagnosed.
“It’s really impacted his life a lot,” Begin said. “It was an adjustment because he had to start taking his needles four times a day.
“And we had to watch the carbs that he was consuming.
“We had to make sure that he was testing and making sure he was getting the right insulin dosage,” she added, noting she had to help with that if her parents were away.
“So it was a big change.”
Begin said she knows other people in town have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes who are around her brother’s age.
“It’s just really something I wanted to raise money for because I didn’t know much about the disease until he had gotten it,” she remarked.
Since November is Diabetes Month, Begin wanted to hold the event this month—opting for a 5K run/walk and a 1K run as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle.
But Begin stressed the “Dash 4 Diabetes,” which will go this Saturday—in conjunction with World Diabetes Day—at the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club trails at Rocky Inlet, is more than just a run.
“We wanted to have more of a day get-together,” she explained.
“We’re hoping it will be a fun activity for families.”
The event will get underway at 11 a.m. with the 1K run, followed by the 5K run/walk at 11:30.
“We’re going to be having lunch out there—soup and bannock—and there will also be presentations from some members of the community who live with diabetes about their experience with it,” Begin said, noting the presenters include Mira Donaldson and Callahan Wiedenhoeft, who are both 14.
A number of prizes also will up for grabs.
“I’ve had a great response,” Begin enthused. “So many people have contacted me asking to make donations and asking if they can help out with it, so I’m really appreciative of all the support.”
She’s also pleased with the number of people who already have registered to take part in the event, but people still can sign up.
Registration will be taken on-site beginning at 10:30 a.m. for anyone who has not signed up.
“Not only do I want to raise money for Type 1 but Type 2, as well,” Begin said, adding bringing awareness to the disease also is key.
However, there is no registration fee. They just will be accepting donations.
“The money is going to the ‘Community Chest’ so that it can cover for people that may be going out of town for medical appointments or if they need help with medical supplies,” Begin explained.
She added it will be earmarked specifically for those with diabetes.
“Their testing sites need to be checked,” Begin noted about some of the reasons diabetics have to travel out-of-town for appointments.
“And when [my brother] gets cut or injured, it takes him longer to heal and he’s more prone to infections,” she added.
While Begin said she’s learned a lot about diabetes, she noted her brother also has adjusted to his new lifestyle.
“He’s so awesome with it now,” she remarked. “He does everything by himself”
Begin said he’s a bit shy about being the inspiration behind the “Dash 4 Diabetes” event, but happy his big sister took the initiative for the cause.
If anyone has any questions, they can contact Begin at 274-0192 or via e-mail at mckennabegin2@gmail.com
People also can visit the event page on Facebook or www.gizhac.com, where there is a link to the online registration form.
