Posted by the runna on December 21, 1998 at 21:18:06:
First and foremost I would like to take the opportunity to thank and congratulate all the persons and groups who were involved in the "Canada Challenge". Thanks must be sent out to all my sponsors, the foundation directors, the local media, local businesses, private donors, the lions club, the Islet foundation, schools and their children, churches for their prayer, event co-ordinators and lastly, helping hands on the road. (you know who you are).
Of course it must be noted that a single post on the internet can't possibly include the many that should be thanked, nor can it encapsulate the emotions and feelings of being done and the experiences that we shared with those above or the Canadian public as I ran.
Nevertheless I would like to make some concluding remarks as I sit in reflection of what we've accomplished and begin to face new challenges in my life and the foundation.
In some ways the run was one of the most dissapointing things I'e ever done. At odds with the uplifting and noble nature of the run and its purposes were the enemies or more apptly put the opposition and apathy that appeared in our midst. Suffice to say that the drug conglomerates will continue to see me as public enemy number one and other advocacy groups, mentioning the CDA of course, were threatened by what I stood for and the challenges which I belabored them with. As a reporter at CBC said "you haven't really made any friends over there" But it must be remembered, as I quickly told him, that I'm not out there to make friends; I'm out there to beat a disease.
So what really happened with the Canadian Diabetes Association anyways? Initially the organization just simply didn't have the vision or confidence in my ability or sophistication to complete the run and co-ordinate a successful campaign. To their surprise and detriment I had a board, foundation and a national campaign in place in a few weeks after the meetings with them were exhaused. Of course they were then cornered with no initiative to support me as the monies would be going to my foundation - to Cure research. However there is no excuse for them as an entrenched diabetic association not to have picked up a pen and made mention of the run on their branch newsletter, web-site or publication. This is inexcusable and yet symptomatic of the CDA. It seems they are ignoring as backbenchers the recent thrust for a cure of which I am now a major player!
The mission of the Ayden Byle Diabetes Research Foundaton is to "fund CURE research and to challenge others to do likewise" - to rise to this challenge. Our motto being -- "A foundation that Challenges". Yes we raised thousands of dollars for a cure but the real success of the run lies in the impact and influence we had within the diabetic community. We surely advanced the thrust for a cure. I hope the foundation will continue to be just that, a catalyst for broad sweeping change and a foundation which challenges. With out the co-operaton of which I talk about we will not get closer to the cure. As Al (Gordon) suggests the run is a metaphor. Without the leadeship we have shown progress cannot take place and the knot will not be tied.
It is with this motive, inspiration and testimony that I address you; not as a hero or great runner, not as simply a concerned diabetic, but as a citizen of humanity. One that hopes and dreams, and believes in participating in society and that in a world with 6 billion people the individual can still make a differnce.
Our endeavour in the summer of 98 is a testimony of this as three months before takeoff we hadn't a sponsor, or team, vehicle or organization backing us. But we did have a dream. It is with this same energy, enthusiasm, drive, and determination that I will continue to build the foundation. And when we beat diabetes then I'll move on to the next disease.
You can be assured that I am taking a hands on approach with everything from thanking those that made the run a success, to keeping in touch with other diabetic associations and keeping abreast of the developments in the field of cure research.
At present I am preoccupied with the administration of the organization: sending out receipts, paying bills, leafing through fan mail and am obligated and eager to accept all invitations to speak.
How the foundation will evolve and my particpation in it, I do not know. But surely one cannot return from the adventure of running across a nation and the crusade of fighting for the health of millions to a conventional entry level sales or service job paying out 30 $K and having no inner significance. On the same token I do have a large student loan and unlike Kennedy haven't drawn a salary for 2 years now.
Thus I am faced with my next decision. Do I go back to school, look for my corporate niche or continue with and develop the foundation. After a 6521.5 km course the runna needs renewed directtion. The hope is that his supporters will have a hand in it.
The runna