Kevin ditches the car and runs to work for Diabetes Ireland

A Westmeath man who has diabetes has decided to run to and from work during the month of July, to raise funds for Diabetes Ireland.

Kevin O’Connell from Rosemount, who has Type 1 Diabetes, will run more than 200km during the month while working 12-hour shifts each day, and managing his blood glucose levels and his insulin needs accordingly.

Kevin works at West Pharmaceutical Services Inc in Damastown, Dublin and his run commute is 6.5km.

People with diabetes are a high-risk group for Covid-19 and account for approximately 6% of all diagnosed cases of the disease.

It is for that reason that Kevin has decided to avoid transport and undertake his challenge.

He said: “With the current easing of restrictions and workplaces opening again, there is an uneasiness felt by a lot of people about using public transport and having to make decisions on alternative transport options, so I decided to take on this challenge to show that running to and from work is an alternative option."

Kevin was diagnosed on 14 November 2005, a date that coincides with the birthday of Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin, which gives life to millions of people with diabetes.

Kevin will be using the latest technology, the Freestyle Libre, to monitor his diabetes each day.

“Many things can affect my blood glucose levels,” said Kevin.

“People generally know that diet and exercise can do so, but other things such stress, tiredness, mental fatigue can also affect glucose levels at any time, even when you are sleeping, so you need to be aware of your levels and be ready to take action and react.

“Through this challenge, I hope to inspire people with diabetes and everyone else to maybe avoid taking transport and walk, run and cycle to work.”

Diabetes Ireland CEO Kieran O’Leary said his organisation is delighted that Kevin is doing the challenge.

“In terms of his diabetes management, the daily run to and from work will present extra challenges and each day this will be different, and he will have to adjust accordingly,” said Mr O’Leary.

“So, it’s not just a physical challenge but a diabetes management challenge as well and we wish him well.”

Diagnosis

Remembering when he discovered he had the condition, just before he turned 14, Kevin said: “Before developing diabetes, I had no clue what the illness was and what is done daily.

“I was diagnosed on November 14, 2005, which is World Diabetes Day, so it’s the date I will never forget.

“I was exactly two weeks off my birthday, on November 28.

“It was the toughest time possible as I was in second year of secondary school (Moate Community School), and fitting in, making friends was priority.

“I didn’t want to be different from anyone else. How times have changed.

“After a week in Mullingar hospital learning the ropes to adapt to my new lifestyle, I was back to school with a long-term illness that I did not know all the answers to when my friends, and teachers asked about it.

“My maths teacher, Mr Dolan (Dessie Dolan), well known on the playing field for Westmeath Gaelic football, decided to give me his Westmeath championship jersey from when he played Kildare in the Leinster Championship in 2005.

“It was the nicest thing anyone had done for me, especially at that time, and really lifted my spirits."

Kevin is now living in Castleknock, Dublin, working as an automation technician for West Pharma, a contractor company which produces diabetic products for large size customers like Abbott, Lilly, and Novo Nordisk.

“It’s a passion of mine to help design, develop and manufacture diabetic products, especially when I personally use them," he said.

“At this time, with Covid-19 affecting every charity, organisation, company, and everyone in Ireland, I am organising, in association with West Pharma, to run to work and home from work for the month of July, clocking up more than 200km, and raising funds for Diabetes Ireland.

“It is two 6.5km-runs per shift (12-hour shifts) and a total of 16 shifts in July.”

Tom Clarke, site director at West Dublin, said: “Nurturing a culture of philanthropy and community involvement is one of the defining characteristics of our company.

“West and its employees endeavour to build on our culture of giving back by demonstrating a commitment to the communities in which we live and work through financial support and volunteerism.

“The Dublin site is extremely proud of our own history of giving back to the community and we are delighted to be able to support Kevin as he strives to raise funds for Diabetes Ireland.”

To donate to Kevin’s Challenge, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/200km-run4diabetes