I’m running the London Marathon on April 26, 2026, because two of my children live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) every single day, and I want to do something meaningful to help change that reality for them and for thousands of others.

Type 1 diabetes isn’t something they chose or could prevent—it’s an autoimmune condition where their bodies attack the insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. From a very young age, they’ve had to manage blood glucose levels around the clock with finger pricks, continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps or injections, careful carb counting, and constant vigilance to avoid dangerous highs or lows. It’s exhausting for them physically and emotionally, and as a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch them navigate school, playdates, sleepovers, sports, and just being kids while carrying this invisible burden.

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is the world’s leading global organization dedicated exclusively to type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Breakthrough T1D’s mission is to cure, prevent, and better treat type 1 diabetes and its complications, while making everyday life better for everyone affected right now.

They do this by:

• Investing heavily in the most promising research worldwide, funding innovative therapies like beta cell replacement, stem cell advancements, immunotherapies, disease-modifying treatments, and next-generation insulins and devices.

• Advocating for better access to life-saving technologies (such as CGMs, insulin pumps, and automated systems) and influencing policy to improve care and reduce barriers.

• Providing resources, community support, and education to empower people with T1D and their families.

No other organization does more to drive toward cures for type 1 diabetes while improving lives today. Breakthrough T1D UK plays a key role in this global effort, funding world-class research and partnering with government, academia, and industry to speed up progress here in the UK and beyond.