March 28, 2022 Submitted by Julia Demopoulos
Hingham, MA resident Ryan Enright has been running the Boston Marathon for a quarter century, as this year is his 25th race. For several years, he has run the marathon with Team Joslin to support Joslin Diabetes Center, a world-renowned treatment and research facility in Boston.
Ryan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his late 30s back in 2010. There is no history of diabetes in Ryan’s family, so the diagnosis came as a complete shock. Prior to his diagnosis, he experienced no warning signs of diabetes. He went into the hospital to have minor foot surgery for a running injury and they discovered his extremely high blood sugar. “Who knew I’d go in to get my foot fixed and come out with a completely different issue,” Ryan joked. However, he is incredibly grateful to have caught the diagnosis early on.
Ryan has had a relationship with Joslin for close to eight years, as a patient himself and running the Boston Marathon as a part of Team Joslin. He’s worked with doctors, endocrinologists and nutritionists, who have all played a vital role in teaching him how to run with diabetes and still live a normal life. “Their care has been incredible,” Ryan said. “Because of Joslin, I am still able to run marathons even with type 1.”
Running the Boston Marathon this year is particularly special to Ryan because it’s his 25th consecutive year. In addition to Boston, Ryan has also completed marathons in Berlin, New York City, and Chicago. He chose those locations in hopes of one day completing the World Marathon Majors and running the big six. He would need to also complete the London and Tokyo Marathons in order to accomplish that goal. However, Boston will always have a special place in his heart. “I love how great the city is on Marathon Monday,” he said. But, this year may be his last marathon as he’s finding it tougher to train.
Running with Team Joslin, Ryan wants to raise awareness for type 1. “There can be a lot of confusion surrounding diabetes,” he said. “People don’t always understand the difference between type 1 and type 2.” He wants more people to know the warning signs of type 1 or healthy lifestyle changes they can implement to prevent type 2 from developing. He has also enjoyed raising money for an organization that has done so much for him. “Running for Joslin impacts me personally, but it also helps so many other people as well,” he said.
Ryan runs to remind the type 1 community that though diabetes can seem really scary, with education and support from organizations like Joslin, a normal life is possible. “My motto is that I’ll stop running when there’s a cure,” he said. “So maybe it won’t be my last year after all.” He is grateful for all the doctors, nurses and researchers at Joslin and knows that each year we are one step closer to finding a cure. He also runs to send a message to his three children. “It shows them that if you stay committed to something and are consistent, you can accomplish hard things.”
For more information or to support Ryan and Team Joslin, visit the link below: https://www.givengain.com/ap/ryan-enright-raising-funds-for-joslin-diabetes-center-47668/
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