Brookline's McNamara running Boston Marathon for Joslin

18-year-old Casey McNamara of Brookline is running her first Boston Marathon this year with Team Joslin to support Joslin Diabetes Center, a world-renowned diabetes research and care facility in Boston, where she is currently a patient.

Casey was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was only four years old and receives her diabetes care from Dr. Lori Laffel, Chief of Pediatrics at Joslin Diabetes Center. Casey also spent ten summers at Camp Joslin, where she learned to count carbs and manage her blood sugar levels alongside others who were facing the same challenges and learning to adapt.

“I am so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Joslin who have helped me learn how to manage my diabetes over the years,” Casey said. “I want to run the Boston Marathon to prove to myself and to others that T1D cannot hold me back and that I can still do anything I set my mind to.”

As a first-time marathoner, Casey is still trying to perfect a system for keeping her blood sugar levels in check during her runs. She carries a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), which allows her monitor her levels through an app on her smartphone and keeps Clif Bloks energy chews on hand in case her blood sugar levels get too low. The insulin pump she wears to administer the hormone also allows her to set a temporary basal rate, which increases or decreases insulin delivery to keep her levels stable throughout the duration of her workouts.

Though she stays in great shape year-round as a three-sport athlete, Casey has been following the marathon training program developed by Heartbreakers Running Club coach and founder Dan Fitzgerald to prepare her for her first Boston Marathon. She also focuses on stretching and strengthening her muscles by incorporating cross training and hot yoga in her routine and is currently in the midst of her ice hockey season at Ursuline Academy.

“I ran the San Francisco Nike Half Marathon several years ago and had an absolute blast doing it, so I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like to run the Boston Marathon,” Casey said. “I’m looking forward to having my friends and family there supporting me as I strive for some of my biggest goals—completing my first marathon and raising $15,000 for Joslin.”

Casey hopes that the money she raises will support Joslin’s efforts to improve the lives of millions of people living with T1D and that someday they will find a cure. To learn more about her story and to donate her run, visit www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/joslindiabetescenterboston2018/caseymcnamara4.

About Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center is world-renowned for its deep expertise in diabetes treatment and research. A federally designated Diabetes Research Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Joslin is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. We develop and disseminate innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.joslin.org.