Sarah Winkelmann has signed up for her first marathon—the Cape Town Marathon—in a big effort to raise awareness and support for South Africans living with diabetes!
Cape Town, South Africa (22 September 2024) — In October, Sarah Winkelmann will tackle the Cape Town marathon on a mission beyond personal achievement: raising funds and awareness for South Africans living with diabetes.
Around 4 million locals live with diabetes. Yet, it is still a somewhat nuanced condition clouded by a lot of stigma and misinformation.
Inspired by her husband, Naeem Sonpra, who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of 16, Sarah hopes to make a difference by helping more people live long and healthy lives. And she’s lacing up her takkies to sound the call.
“That’s 32 years of navigating life with a chronic condition that can be relentless at times,” says Sarah of Naeem.
“Yet, he has balanced the challenge with deeming ease and rarely complains. Although he would admittedly say that diabetes has played a part in shaping who he is today, he does not let it define or limit him.”
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is no small feat, especially for those who are diagnosed at a young age. In many cases, family members all feel as if they live with the condition, given its consistent nature.
“Managing Type 1 diabetes on a daily basis requires constant vigilance and careful planning. Every day involves monitoring blood sugar levels, taking multiple daily injections and adjusting insulin doses based on food intake, activity levels, and even stress or illness,” Sarah explains.
“Beyond the medical aspects, there’s an emotional toll which affects the quality of life for people living with diabetes—managing the unpredictability of the condition, staying alert to signs of high and low blood glucose levels, and ultimately knowing that you are never able to “take a break” from diabetes.”
In explaining her journey to advocacy, Sarah says that she was inspired by Naeem’s journey, both for his resilience and its place as a wake-up call.
“I realised that health is a precious gift, often taken for granted. Before meeting him, I hadn’t fully appreciated the importance of taking care of my body. My husband’s journey was a wake-up call. It ignited a spark within me to prioritise my health and to make a difference in the lives of others.”
After teaming up with SA Diabetes Advocacy, Sarah found herself part of a community that inspires and empowers people to live fulfilled lives in the face of health challenges.
“To amplify our message, I signed up for my very first marathon,” Sarah says in anticipation of Marathon Day.
With lots of hard work, discipline and new routines, she’s ready to tackle the roads of the Cape, ring the bell for diabetes awareness loudly and raise funds for SA Diabetes Advocacy which you can find out more about, here.
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