Marathon runner raises funds to fight diabetes

Laurie Brown’s mother, Barbara Carl, battled diabetes for 20 years before her death from complications in 2008. Since then, Brown has been inspired to raise diabetes awareness through running.

A person who has diabetes doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond properly to insulin, or both, causing blood glucose levels to rise. Diabetes can be managed through medication, a healthy diet and exercise, but without proper management, diabetes can lead to a host of problems, including heart attacks, strokes, vision problems, depression and limb amputations.

Brown learned that in 2013, the Center for Disease Control considered diabetes the seventh leading cause of death in the United States – and it is estimated that more than 8.1 million people in the United States remain undiagnosed.

Diabetes is a family disease: Its effects touch all family members differently. Brown’s father, Richard Carl, spent many years caring for his wife.

“If I could tell diabetics one thing, it would be to listen. Listen to your doctors. Watch your weight, watch your sugars,” Carl recommended.

Brown has fond memories with her mother at the Delaware beaches, before she was diagnosed. The Pennsylvania natives spent summers in Bethany Beach.

“I remember packing the car and feeling such joy as we would head to the beach. We would attend the nature talks each week at Cape Henlopen, and we always made a stop at Grotto’s in Dewey for dinner," Brown said.

"My dad would come down on the weekends after working all week. We would stop by Murray’s Bait and Tackle in Ocean View for root beer water ice," she said."I remember trying to scoop the minnows out of the big sink on the side of building with my dad, and we would then hop in our big green Suburban for a day of fishing. Coastal Delaware is such a true gem.”

Now 43, Brown has three teenage children of her own and resides in Coatesville, Pa. Her father lives in Dagsboro. Since her mother's death, Brown has run 14 races, from 5K races to triathlons, in her mother’s memory.

“I try to do races at the beach, because it reminds me so much of her,” said Brown.

Brown will be running in the Coastal Delaware Running Festival’s marathon in May, in honor of her mother and to raise diabetes awareness. The 26.2 mile run begins at Tower Road in Dewey, goes through Rehoboth and Lewes via Gordon’s Pond and the Junction Breakwater trails, and loops back to end at the Hyatt resort complex in Dewey.

In addition to her experience with her mother, Brown works for Janssen, a branch of Johnson & Johnson that makes products for diabetics.

“Diabetes is something I have a passion for; it’s something close and personal to me,” she said. “Many of my coworkers have the same passion.”

After hearing co-worker stories, Brown designed a T-shirt, “Running for Everyone I Know,” which will feature the names of everyone she, her coworkers and friends know who have diabetes or who suffered from it.

“The stories that came along with the names made it even more personal. It’s so much more than just a run now; it’s something for everyone,” Brown said.

Brown also created a GoFundMe account that sends donations direct to the American Diabetes Association.

“I hope my story can help that one person test themselves, or that one family member see what another family member has to deal with daily, and truly be there for them,” Brown said.

To donate to Brown’s ADA fund, go to www.gofundme.com/runningfordiabetes.

For more information about the Coastal Delaware Running Festival, visit www.codelrun.com