Freedom run for diabetes research coming to city on Sunday

Whitehorse has signed up to raise funds for diabetes research.

Whitehorse has signed up to raise funds for diabetes research.

Cash Store Financial has partnered with the Alberta Diabetes Foundation-Diabetes Research to present the second year of Cash Store Financial’s Freedom Run, which will come to the Yukon this Sunday (Aug. 29), at Shipyard’s Park, with registration starting onsite at 9 a.m. and the race kicking off at 10 a.m.

Those eager to take part can also register online at http://www.thefreedomrun.ca.

Registration is $40 on event day.

This will be the first year in the event’s two-year history that Whitehorse will partake. Seven cities nationwide – Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Grand Prairie – held 32 runs starting Aug. 15.

The event offers two walking/running distances: three and five kilometers.

The Freedom run helps to raise money to find a cure and give the 2.5 million Canadians with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes freedom from insulin dependence and injections.

“Participation in the Freedom Run is our main priority,” said Erin Rayner, manager of philanthropy with Cash Store Financial in Edmonton.

JoAnne Langner, executive director for the ADF, said everyone knows someone, a friend, family member or co-worker, with this disease, and although you seldom see diabetes listed on a death certificate, the complications can range from blindness and limb amputation to death.

“The funds raised through these events will allow us to continue our mission to find a cure for diabetes,” Langner said.

Gorden J. Reykdal, CEO of Cash Store Financial, said raising money to be directly invested in diabetes research will have a tremendous positive impact over time.

“Far too many Canadian families, including those of our associates, suffer from the ravaging effects of this curable disease,” Reykdal said. “The Alberta Diabetes Institute houses some of the world’s best diabetes researchers. They have the ability to find a cure. We want to accelerate the pace at which they get there, and we are proud to do it.”

ADF-Diabetes Research is the fundraising arm for the world renowned Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI), based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The ADI is the team behind the development of the ground breaking islet transplant procedure and the ‘Edmonton Protocol.’