Sask. father embarks on marathon-run to fund a cure for diabetes
One Humboldt man had set a goal to complete a four-mile run, every four hours for 48 hours over the Saskatchewan Day long weekend.
Jason Holtvogt is raising awareness for Type One diabetes and the challenges families face when caring for a family member. His daughter Aubree, the youngest of four, faces these challenges daily.
“You're waking up every few hours to check on your daughter in this case, on her sugar levels, so you're waking up every few hours to check on the sugar levels just to make sure that she's not too high or too low,” Holtvogt said. “I thought (the run) really resembled what a parent of a diabetic goes through, and also a diabetic caregiver.”
On July 30 Holtvogt began the 4x4x48 challenge, a routine made popular by American marathon-runner David Goggins.
Holtvogt, 44, said he’s been training for months leading up to this challenge he’s called T1D (Type One diabetes) 4x4x48. With the help of local dieticians, trainers and chiropractors Holtvogt knew this wasn’t going to be easy.
He’s raising money for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada (DRIFCan), a research group out of the University of Alberta.
“Dr. James Shapiro and his team at the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) are actively researching, collaborating and conducting ongoing clinical trials to accelerate the pace of diabetes research to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes,” Holtvogt said. “The goal of the run is to raise funds for a cure for T1D.”
During his run Holtvogt has crossed $12,000 but he hopes to get to $100,000 before the 48 hours is up.
“(Dr. Shapiro) needs $22 million to get this going and we really wanted to focus all our efforts on getting him his money so that he can do this stem cell research,” Holtvogt said. “With any possibility of our daughter not having to deal with diabetes at an older age.”
You can follow Holtvogt’s story on Facebook and donate to his cause.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.