Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Gunnery Sgt. Juan R. Laureano runs in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon....... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - After completing obstacle runs and half marathons, Gunnery Sgt. Juan R. Laureano feels ready to push himself to the next level – a full marathon.
Daily runs and physical training sessions are how the maintenance chief with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and his twin brother, Juan A. Laureano, are preparing their bodies for the 38th Marine Corps Marathon.
Juan R. started training for the marathon just hoping to finish the race. Soon after beginning his training, he realized his goal had changed.
The brothers have been intimately affected by diabetes. As young boys, they saw its detrimental effects materialize as their grandfather’s body slowly deteriorated, leaving him blind, paralyzed and eventually killing him. Their father, also a diabetic, faced eye surgery and a kidney transplant as the disease’s long-term effects grew more serious. He now has to monitor his health very closely. Other members of the Laureano’s family are affected by diabetes and have suffered amputations, nerve damage, heart disease and blindness.
“I always knew I was at high risk for diabetes because it runs in my family,” he said. “But it wasn’t until my twin brother was diagnosed that I really started to change my life.”
The brothers plan to run as members of a diabetes research and wellness foundation team in an effort to raise awareness of the disease and the constant search for a cure. They want to let people know that although there is no cure yet, a healthy diet and exercise can deter the disease.
“When I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2005, I knew I had to change my bad habits,” said Juan A., an insurance claims adjuster. “It is a big adjustment, but anything is possible.”
After Juan R. completes the marathon and experiences the satisfaction of helping a deserving cause, he plans to continue running to aid diabetes research organizations in their search for a cure.
The brothers want supporters to know that, even with a disease like diabetes, people can do anything they set their minds to; there are no limits.
“Everyone has a cause, and I think this one is mine,” said Juan R. “It is the beginning of a new journey and this is my opportunity to make a positive change.”
(Marine Corps story by Pfc. Grace L. Waladkewics)
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2013 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 113310 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Gunny runs long road toward diabetes cure, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT