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Local runner takes on diabetes

Kirsten Bangen will run a half-marathon in Iceland to fundraise for the Canadian Diabetes Associatio
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Local runner Kirsten Bangen will be participating for Team Diabetes in a half-marathon in August in Iceland.

Stepping into a pair of running shoes can be easy when you’re dedicated to spreading awareness about a disease.

Kirsten Bangen, a Vernon London Drugs pharmacist, will run a half-marathon in Iceland to fundraise for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

“I thought it was a neat idea and a great way to raise money,” she said.

The 2016 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon will allow her to spread awareness, raise money and stay in shape.

Bangen has committed to raising $6,500 for Team Diabetes, which is part of the Canadian Diabetes Association. The funds will be used for research, education, services and advocacy for those living with the disease.

As a pharmacist, Bangen has seen the impact diabetes has on both an individual as well as the impact on Canada’s health care system.

“Not a shift goes by that I don’t see someone with diabetes,” she said.

It costs the health care system $14 billion per year, according to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation.

Currently, there are more than 10 million Canadians living with diabetes, which is one in four Canadians. The number is expected to rise by 2020 to one in three, the foundation said.

Bangen has a personal attachment to spreading awareness as her father and grandmother both have type two diabetes. This also motivates her to lead an active lifestyle.

She started running two years ago because she said the gym got boring.

“Running keeps me motivated,” she said.

Iceland has been a place Bangen has always wanted to visit so she felt like this opportunity would be a two for one deal.

“I’ve always wanted to go,” she said.

This won’t be her first marathon. This year, she ran in the BMO Vancouver eight-kilometre and the Pentiction Peach City RunFest, which was 10 kilometres.

She’s slowly building up to the half-marathon which is 21 kilometres.

In the Okanagan training involves, “getting up early to beat the heat,” she said.

She has reached 79 per cent of her fundraising goal for Iceland online.

The race will be held Aug. 20.

To donate, go to teamdiabetes.ca/goto/kbangen.