Help Meghan raise money

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in the fall of 2018... at the time, I was training for a marathon, and actually somehow managed to complete a half marathon a few weeks before my hospitalization. Running made me feel like I had control over my body, brought a sense of peace on tough days (never doubt the runner's high!), and gave me comfort through routine. My diagnosis was devastating because it gave me a visceral sense of imposter syndrome that I couldn't shake - the drastic change to my physical appearance (I lost almost 80 lbs) wasn't because of my hard work, it was because I was sick. The body I knew, loved, and trusted had betrayed me. I felt like a fraud.

It took months for me to process that experience and feel good enough in my own skin to get back out there. Luckily for me, however, as every runner knows...the road is always there. On days that I run, my blood glucose is steady, I need less insulin, and most importantly - I feel healthy and strong again. I'm thrilled to be able to mobilize my passion for running in a way that raises critical funds for Team Joslin.

 As Diabetics, we live our lives at the whims of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. The insulin and technology we have access to is regulated by insurance, and the financial burden is often inflexible and absolute. The doctors we see must accept our insurance, regardless of how well-suited they are to our individual needs. Diabetes leaves us with so little autonomy.

That is why the work that the Joslin Center does is so important. Every breakthrough in research, every patient who reignites their enthusiasm for their own care after meeting with a nutritionist, and every parent of a newly diagnosed child who leaves feeling a little less afraid puts us one step closer to taking back control of our own care. Being newly diagnosed, I am humbled by the tenacity with which lifelong diabetics have had to advocate for themselves with, and that is what inspires me to get involved.

I'm sincerely grateful for any and all contributions - please feel free to reach out with any questions. Thank you!