The Gray family has found a passion for running, and has turned that passion into a family activity that has a positive impact for the son Rylan, who has type one diabetes (T1D). Through their running they raise awareness and funds for T1D, all while staying healthy and doing something together as a family.

Team JDRF Challenge Events has helped them combine their passion for running with their passion for ending T1D. This winter their family participate in the Disney Marathon weekend, and Rylan’s dad will run in the full marathon!

Here is their story in Rylan’s mom Mindy’s own words:

“Before December 28,2012, we were an ordinary family. We worked; we played; we enjoyed spending time together. It was on that day that our lives were forever changed by type one diabetes (T1D). For weeks we had been watching our 8 year old son, Rylan, have difficulty quenching his thirst, waking multiple times in the night to use the restroom, and have terrible mood swings. It wasn’t until the day before his diagnosis that we started to put all of the pieces together.  He had been visiting with family when they shared that he had four bottles of water to drink during his four hour stay. When we tested his blood sugar first thing the next morning with a kit we had on hand, our world came crashing down. A fasting blood sugar of 275 sent us running for the hospital. We’ve been running ever since…

In April of 2013, a friend invited us to run in a 5k race to raise awareness for T1D. Rylan had never run distances like that before, and we were nervous about having our newly diagnosed T1D son run 3 miles alone. My husband Matt, being the Superman that he is, volunteered to run with him. Like Rylan, he had never spent any time running distances. Without much training and not knowing what to expect, we all donned our running shoes, matching team shirts, and set out on our first team adventure. We learned two thing that day. First, Rylan was an amazing runner! He finished that 5k in 28 minutes. We also learned that Dad was going to have to step up his game is he wanted to keep up with him. That day, Matt vowed to begin running so that he could support Rylan, and most importantly, keep up with him.

Over the course of the last two years, we have entered a variety of 5k family races, most of which raise funds and awareness for T1D. Matt has increased his training, just as he had promised. He has also raised the bar for himself. Instead of sticking to 5k races, he has recently branched out to local half marathons! To date, he has succesfuly completed three hald marathons. Now, as part of the JDRF Challenge Team, Matt and I will be taking part in the most exciting event yet. We have our sights set ont he Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. On Tuesday, January 8, 2015 we will again strap on our running shoes to run in the Disney 5k. Just three days later, Matt will take part in his first full marathon!

The last nine months have included a rigorous training schedule for Matt. As we quickly learned, training for a marathon is like having a full time job.  When he is not at work or doing homework, he is hitting the pavement, running an estimated 100 miles a month. On top of his physical training, we have committed to raise nearly $3500 for our favorite charitable organization, JDRF.

We are excited to represent Team JDRF in Orlando in January and are looking forward to cheering Matt across the finish line!”

Team JDRF Challenge provides entry into some of the country’s most exciting running events. Run with a team that’s united in the common purpose of creating a world without type 1 diabetes.  If you are interested in participating in or learning more about Team JDRF Challenge events, visit the website here.

With Team JDRF, you can turn ANY passion of yours into a fundraiser for JDRF and make a difference for those with T1D. Check out all of your options here!