Anyone who doubts that every challenge is really an opportunity in disguise need look no further than Sharon Nehring-Willson's example.

The 35-year-old mother of one hopes to travel to Reykjavik, Iceland, in August to participate in the 2008 Reykjavik Marathon to raise money for the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA).

Nehring-Willson is a member of Team Diabetes, a Canadian-based organization whose members participate in marathons 'so as to assist the (CDA) in their efforts to help people with diabetes make a change for the better,' Nehring-Willson said in an interview Friday.

'I am doing this for not only the completion of a personal goal, but also to support the CDA,' says Nehring-Willson, who teaches Grade 5 at Jack Hulland Elementary School.

Nehring-Willson first got the idea to participate in the Reykjavik Marathon when she saw live coverage of last year's event on TV

'Some guy in his 50s was participating and I thought, if he can do it, so can I.' '

Nehring-Willson hopes her participation will not only help raise money for diabetes research but will raise awareness about the disease which affects the lives of more than two million Canadians.

'Diabetes doesn't get the same publicity as other diseases because you can live with it,' says Nehring-Willson.

'Insulin is not a cure. You're injecting a very powerful drug in(to) your body. Insulin reduces life expectancy. It's hard on your system.'

The debilitating effects of diabetes are 'a silent cross to bear,' she says.

Nehring-Willson says her mother was diagnosed with diabetes when she was in her late 40s. Ever since, Nehring-Willson has 'watched her bravely learn how to live with this disease even as it slowly wastes her.'

Nehring-Willson says her mother must inject herself with insulin four times a day and that her health has also limited her ability to travel.

Nehring-Willson's hope is that improved treatment for diabetes will allow her mother to see her granddaughter graduate from high school.

Rowan, aged 13 months, may accompany her mother to Reykjavik if she is permitted to join her in the race.

If she is, Nehring-Willson will take Rowan with her in a jogging stroller and complete half the marathon instead of the full 42 kilometres (26 miles).

Nehring-Willson trains whenever she can and is currently able to complete a 13-mile run in about two hours. Her goal is to be able to complete a marathon in under five hours, she says.

Nehring-Willson is always accompanied by baby Rowan, either by backpack or jogging stroller.

Aside from training for the big day, Nehring-Willson must find a way to raise the required amount of $6,100.

So far, Nehring-Willson has raised $500 through her network of friends. By March, she must be able to raise at least $2,500.

Nehring-Willson has already approached the companies from which she bought a backpack and stroller to carry baby Rowan in, but has not gotten any response.

Nehring-Willson's other source for inspiration is a college friend who struggles to keep her two-year-old child healthy while caring for a six-month-old infant as well.

Nehring-Willson says her friend must take blood sugar levels from her two-year-old, who is insulin-dependent, twice each night.

'(Her friend) has not had a full night's sleep in a year and has had treatment for depression,' says Nehring-Willson.

'It's heartbreaking. (She) is the one staying in my mind while I'm running.

'It's incredible what she's bearing. My heart really goes out to her.'

Team Diabetes was founded in 2000 and since then, over 2000 people have participated in marathons throughout Canada and around the world, said spokesperson Rebecca Taylor.

Anyone wishing to to support Sharon's run can donate online at teamdiabetes.ca or

email her for non-online donating at snwillson@yahoo.ca.