JOHN ANDERSON

• Edgewater, MD
• Age: 51
• Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 28

A lifelong athlete and runner, John Anderson has “run for fun, run for others, and run for the sheer love of it.” First diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1989, he stubbornly refused to accept it – not an uncommon response. His moment of clarity came years later when he suddenly collapsed while shoveling snow at home. Forty-five minutes later, his wife found him lying in the snow just three feet from their front door. After rushing to the family doctor, the diagnosis was still the same: John had Type 2 diabetes. John recalls, “I left the doctor’s office and sat at a stop light just crying.” Realizing, finally, that he needed to stop avoiding this diagnosis, he vowed then and there to take every possible measure he could to stay on top of his diabetes. This meant checking his blood sugar, watching his diet, and working with his doctor to get his blood sugar under control. It was no longer a problem from which he could run.

In 2004, John’s doctor recommended he start using insulin as part of his treatment plan to better manage his blood sugar. “More than anything,” he notes, “I want to show that with proper management, you can control your blood sugar.”

Since then, John has kept his promise, not only maintaining control of his health, but putting his athleticism to work to raise money for those in similar situations to his. In 2007 and 2008, he ran in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for Diabetes Action Team, a nonprofit company committed to research. And in 2009, he was happy to start cycling with Team Type 2.

“I am so excited to make an impact,” he says.