WHEN Natasha Wakaruk takes off from the start in next weekend's Edinburgh Half Marathon, she expects to find herself reflecting on the journey she's been on following her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes two years ago.
"It was a pretty big shock and at first it was a major adjustment, just kind of wrapping your mind around the fact that this is going to be forever, but you get used to it. It's amazing how you can adapt," she says. From acceptance to embracing her new reality and endeavouring to lead a healthy lifestyle, Wakaruk, 28, is ready to now give back to others sharing her diagnosis.
The North Vancouver piano teacher and Capilano University music therapy program graduate, as well as a staff member at Villa Carital, is heading to Scotland for the May 26 race as a member of Team Diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association's national activity fundraising program.
Wakaruk has run since her teens and ran one half-marathon previously, though this is her first race as a diabetic.
She heard about Team Diabetes on the radio. "It's been a pretty incredible experience ever since (I signed up). I'm so glad that I did it," she says. Wakaruk has so far raised close to $8,000, which will support the association's education and advocacy work, as well as research. "It's definitely something that I'd like to become more involved in in the future and who knows, this might not be my last race with Team Diabetes," she says.
For more information or to support Wakaruk's fundraising efforts, visit diabetes.ca/get-involved/supporting-us/team-diabetes.
