INUVIK - Seven-year-old Jacob Israel stood by his little brother Jesse staring out the airport window onto the runway Sunday afternoon.

Jacob Israel stands with his aunt Martina Marks at the airport on Sunday, shortly after she returned home from running a marathon in Victoria to support the seven-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in November. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

The boys were waiting for their aunt to arrive while the rest of the family hung back talking with each other.

Finally the plane arrived carrying Martina Marks. When she stepped out with the rest of the passengers into Jacob's view, a subtle smile spread across his face.

The shy, soft spoken youngster was the last in line to give Martina a hearty welcome-home hug.

But their embrace lasted a little longer than the others. After all she was returning home from Victoria after completing a half marathon for Jacob, who was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes in Novemeber.

Joining Martina on her Oct. 10 run were 29 participants from across Canada all of whom were touched one way or another by diabetes. They made up team diabetes and each of them raised thousands for Canadian Diabetes Association, which among other things supports research to find a cure for the disease. Martina raised $6,000 over three months thanks to the generosity of Inuvik residents.

Not one to gush, Jacob didn't have much to say about his aunt's feat, but he wanted to make one thing clear.

"She always nice and she's always happy," he said. "I like that."

Martina, a licensed practical nurse who's never been a serious runner, came across the fundraisng event on the Canadian Diabetes Association website while she was online researching Jacob's condition. With the help of an online training tutorial and her supportive husband she set out on her journey in July.

She admits there were tough, gruelling days. But she made it. Martina figures it was the least she could do for a boy who's life had been suddenly bombarded with daily needle injections, a strict diet regime and constant adult supervision.

"It's nothing compared to what Jacob is going through everyday," she said. "He lets his mom give him a needle, he never gives her a hard time. Kids just want to play. But he understands this is what he has to do. I'm just so proud of him."

Jacob's father Roger, who was informed of Martina's plans after she signed up for the marathon, marvelled at her commitment to the fundraiser and her devotion to his son.

"All she had to do is come over and give him a hug," he said. "The fact hat she gets into an airplane, which she doesn't like to do, and does a marathon, and she's never been a really serious runner, was so selfless.

"Jacob will understand more as time goes on but it's quiet a statement she's made to him."

Martina completed her first ever half marathon and admitted to having an emotional "moment" about 10 minutes after finishing the race.

Jacob has learned to cope with his disease exceptionally well. He has no issue with taking his own blood sample everyday, which involves pricking his finger and drawing blood. He knows he can't eat sweets like his friend's at school. But he still continues to be an active child, preferring the outdoors to TV and video games. He loves to play hockey and soccer as well as swim and cross-country ski.

"He hates the disease," said Roger. "But he's not letting it slow him down."

Roger admits it's sometimes frustrating watching what his son is dealing with and will have to deal with for the rest of his life. But he admits he and his wife Maureen are inspired by Jacob's enduring strength.

"He's more accepting of it," he said. "That makes us more resilient and more accepting of it, too. You can get quite angry about this stuff, about someone you love having a disease like this. But by him just being the same old kid, he inspires us to be better parents and make sure he gets out and does what he really wants to do."

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