CARINE resident Kaarin Patterson is combining her newfound passion for running with a cause close to her heart.
She is an ambassador for Diabetes WA as part of the Run for a Reason on May 27.
“I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 12 years ago,” she said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“While a part of me was relieved to finally have an answer as to why I’d been feeling so terrible for so long, mostly I was utterly terrified.
“Terrified of what it meant for my life, my health and the future.
“As I started to understand what diabetes was, I decided that I was going to manage my diabetes, I wasn’t going to let it manage me.”
Ms Patterson said she had always been active but learning to run was a “game changer”.
“It gave me an even greater respect for my condition and taught me more about the right fuels and management for high activity,” she said.
“Running my first half marathon two years ago was the biggest victory for me in proving to myself that despite my diabetes, I really can do anything.
“I’m running in the Run for a Reason for Diabetes WA to raise awareness and money to help people manage their diabetes not just for myself, but for my sister, my friends, my friends’ kids and for all of us out there with diabetes.”
She and Perth Running Club head coach and former Olympian Sarah Jamieson are running free training sessions for Diabetes WA fundraisers to help them prepare for the run.
For details on the training sessions, email fundraising@diabeteswa.com.au or visit bit.ly/2qAXbJY to donate.
MORE: RAC Rescue helicopter on scene of shark attack in Gracetown
MORE: Shenton Park: catholic priest charged with historical child sex offences
MORE: North Beach: police charge two women after chase in stolen car