FORT FRANCES—Megan Schaenzer, a high school student from Minneapolis, crossed the border here Saturday at 10:30 a.m. after covering almost 485 km on foot.
Schaenzer, 17, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes last May. But after learning of her condition, she decided she wasn’t going to take it lying down.
Instead, she opted to take it running.
Schaenzer decided she was going to run from the front steps of her Minneapolis home all the way to Canada, finally stopping here in Fort Frances.
In doing so, she aimed to raise at least $2,500 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International in support of its efforts to find a cure for the millions of people who suffer from this disease worldwide.
Her parents, Louise and Dave, accompanied Schaenzer as she ran to Canada by following in a van—housing all of the safety tools, amenities, and support she could need.
She encountered wolves, snakes, foxes, turtles, hills, and high winds over the route but nothing was enough to stop her.
All in all, Schaenzer ran about 27 km a day over her roughly three-week journey, finishing the last 18.5 km to Fort Frances by mid-morning on Saturday.
Schaenzer reported that immediately upon arrival here, she and her family visited the local Tim Hortons for coffee and doughnuts to refresh themselves and begin to wind down.
The family already has returned to their home by van. After this adventure, her parents admitted their daughter probably will be sleeping in, taking a week off, and then hitting the track again.
“This trip has not put the girl off running,” they laughed.
If you wish to contribute to the fund, you’re asked to either donate at the JDRF’s website or send a cheque to its headquarters.
Schaenzer only asks that if you do donate, please indicate your support is a result of her run so it is clear how much it has raised.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
