Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (May 30/03) - Three Inuvik women will be training over the next six months to take part in a Bermuda marathon that will help raise awareness to diabetes.

Sue Clarkson, diabetes educator for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority (IRHSS), Deborah McLeod, director of population health care for IRHSS and Yvonne Carpenter, recreation development officer for Municipal and Community Affairs, will be training and raising funds with different events between now and November.

"We're planning a six-month program of events and our short term goal is to complete a walking marathon in Bermuda," Carpenter said.

The marathon will be held Nov. 16 and is the main national fundraiser for the Canadian Diabetes Association, but they also host other events such as the Canadian Ironman Triathlon.

"People compete in all sorts of different activities; marathons, adventure races and we've chosen to do the walk only marathon," Clarkson said.

The three each need to raise $5,500 in pledges to take part in the marathon, so over the next six months they will be seeking out sponsors.

The money goes directly to the CDA, who will pay for the flight to Bermuda from Edmonton and one night accommodation before the race.

"They are really well organized as far as helping people raise money," Clarkson said.

Carpenter said outside the marathon, they plan to do some other things that will leave a lasting impression on Inuvik.

"We love a huge challenge, so helping Inuvik by being an example of healthy lifestyle choices and raising awareness of diabetes and diabetes behaviours or attitudes is important," Carpenter said.

"We'll try to be the motivation for people to make change."

"Everybody needs motivation, so we're going to be the new item to get involved with."

The group will develop a support network through their initial goal of the marathon that will open the door to future events and campaigns.

"The supporters won't necessarily come to Bermuda to walk with us, but they will participate in the program and hopefully, the promotion of some of the things we'll be doing here," Carpenter said.

Clarkson said they will walk to the airport and back during the June 21 Midnight Sun Run and hope to have people join in.

The diabetes education program is continuing as normal in the new hospital, with monthly education programs for people in Inuvik and in the region, a walk-in counselling and screening service.

"Our goal is to try and keep people healthy, so they won't suffer any of the complications of diabetes," Clarkson said.

"The door is open."