Local restaurant owners raising funds for Diabetes Canada in Reykjavik

Residents of Cantley, Marie Pierre Daviau-Franche and Alain Guimond, are heading to Reykjavik, Iceland this summer to participate in the Islandsbanki half marathon to raise money for Diabetes Canada.

Team Diabetes is a national fundraising program for Diabetes Canada and helps individuals and teams with their fundraising efforts by providing airfare and accommodation to destination races. In return, participants commit to raising a pre-arranged amount. Daviau-Franche and Guimond have commited to raising $15,000 for their event in Iceland.

They are familiar with big challenges. Guimond served three tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Bosnia with the military and is now retired after 18 years of service. Together, they own Sushi-Go and Sesame restaurants (20 Boulevard du Plateau in Hull).

Daviau-Franche says this cause is personal to her. Her father, as well as a close family friend, were both recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a diagnosis that brings with it an immediate and total lifestyle overhaul. Perhaps the most difficult diagnosis has been the type 1 diabetes diagnosis given to her best friend’s two-year-old son.

Daviau-Franche says she only started running last year and had been making good progress working up to a 5k run.  She explained, “I’m someone who can only really get motivated by a big goal, so this year, I am hoping to run the half marathon.”

They hosted an evening at Barbies in Gatineau (52 Boulevard de la Gappe) in conjunction with Production Beauchamps at the end of May. Daviau-Franche says, “We take donations, of course, but we thought a special fundraising event would be more fun for people.” For those who wish to contribute to their efforts, it can be done online at www.teamdiabetes.ca.