Boston Marathon 2011

Heather's Personal Fundraising page

Creator: Heather Campbell

Please sponsor me:

Help me reach my goal of: $5,000
So far I've raised: $4,861

Why I'm fundraising for the Joslin Diabetes Center

There are many reasons why I decided to join Team Joslin for the 2011 Boston Marathon. I work in the blindness field and many of the people I've met have lost their vision as a result of diabetes. Some have also undergone transplants, lost legs, and experienced other complications.

Both of my parents have Type 2 diabetes. As time goes by and they live longer with the disease, I worry about the effects it will have on them. My mother was diagnosed many years before my father. She now takes insulin while my father's diabetes is controlled through diet and pills. My mother also has heart disease and has had multiple stents implanted.

My uncle also had Type 2 diabetes. He passed away last winter when his body was unable to heal from what started as a seemingly innocuous skin rash. He died of a systemic infection within a week of entering the hospital. It was felt that his body's ability to fight the infection was compromised by his diabetes. My aunt and uncle were best friends and travel buddies and it was clear that they loved each other very much. I'm happy that they were able to find each other and enjoy each other for as long as they did, but it breaks my heart that they will not be able to grow old together.

I want to contribute something to the fight against diabetes for the people I work with, for my parents, and to honor my aunt and uncle's relationship. I hope you will consider helping me raise funds to support the Joslin Diabetes Center's efforts to prevent and cure this disease.

My sponsors to date: