A local family has turned a personal tragedy into a way to make a difference. The Berrns family has been recognized by the Canadian Diabetes Foundation as Volunteers of the Year for their efforts with Jared’s Run for Diabetes, honoring the young man who died of complications from the disease.
Donna Berrns describes winning the award as overwhelming. She is grateful to get recognized by the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, because it confirms what they’re doing is having an impact and making a difference through their event.
“It really makes us feel like this matters, that we’ve made a difference... We thought our event was just a small community fundraiser, but in the end all the money raised for diabetes is very much appreciated.”
They began the fundraiser not to get recognition for themselves, but to honor her nephew. His cousins wanted to bring a way to raise awareness of diabetes in Jared’s memory, and felt that a run at Burgis Beach was something that fit with where Jared loved to be and what he loved to do.
“Over the past four years we’ve had tremendous support from the community out at the lake and participants coming to join us, returning every year.”
The event has raised $35,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, with the majority of the funds going towards day camps which teach children how to live with diabetes.
“It’s huge because so many kids struggle. Jared was 16 when he was diagnosed, so he was a teenager in high school. He was playing football, he was going out with friends, when he was diagnosed it hit him so hard and he struggled with that diagnosis for a really long time. I think the day camps help teach kids that they’re not alone in that diagnosis and they can live with it.”
Their hope for the 2016 event is to have better weather for the close to 100 participants they are anticipating on July 16. The event begins at 9:00 a.m.
“Every year we’ve been holding this we’re increasing the funds raised, and we’re hoping to do that again this year.”
It’s still difficult for Berrns to talk about losing Jared, but they know they have found the right way to honour his memory and are proud of how it’s bringing people together and raising money for a cause close to their hearts.
“It truly does help bring us together to remember Jared. We know that on that day Jared is with us, he’s walking beside us that entire day, and we do it for his memory.”
