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Every time Jennifer Hunt crosses a finish line, her mother, her brother and her niece flash in her mind.

She runs for those three, she said, and all those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at an early age. Her mother died from diabetes-related complications when Hunt was 33.

Also known as juvenile diabetes, people can live for years with the disease but it is not an easy life. Hunts mother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 14; her brother at age 9; and her niece at age 6.

I lost my best friend and my rock. My brother is 55 and is in end-stage renal failure. My niece is my champion and is such an awesome young lady, said Hunt, 51. I run in remembrance of my mom, and I champion my niece as my reason to give her strength knowing someone understands her and what she is going through.

Through the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Program, the Sugar Land resident is raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Last year, she raised about $5,000. This year, she is attempting to raise at least $2,500.

Since 1995, the marathon has hosted the charity program as way for race organizers to connect local philanthropies with the running community, raising more than $31 million since its inception.

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Two years ago, Hunt started running after she was diagnosed with leukemia at age 50. She needed an outlet to deal with the road ahead that was filled with doctors appointments and cancer treatment.

Hunts mother, Lucille B. Isdale, was an active volunteer for the JDRF, a nonprofit organization at the forefront of diabetes research. The foundation funds medical trials and studies that led to the first lab-engineered insulin decades ago. More recently, the foundation helped pay for studies related to an artificial pancreas device system, necessary for diabetics to regulate glucose.

This year, Hunt will auction a custom guitar by heavy metal guitarist Dan Fastuca, podium hats from Mazda race car driver Luke Oxner and a gift certificate to Sugar Land MMA. So far, she has raised $1,810.

I turned the worst time of my life into the most rewarding time by doing for others, Hunt said. I want to carry on my moms legacy and the work she did with JDRF. Every finish line I cross is such a victory on so many levels: fighting cancer and fighting for a cure for children (with diabetes) and families like mine.

Sundays half marathon will be Hunts fifth 13.1-mile race. She was aiming to race a full marathon this time, but two surgeries in July put her behind in training. She plans to train for the full marathon next year.

While working full-time, training and raising money for the foundation, Hunt is still fighting leukemia. Her next treatment will be two days after her race; she received her physicians permission to run.

You either become a victim or a victor, she said. I hope the example I set for my niece is no matter what is going on in life, go for being the victor.

This years Run for a Reason program kicked off Dec. 3 with a social media contest. As sponsor partner, Chevron donates $75,000, to be split between three charities: the charity that raises the most money; the one with the most votes; and the charity that receives the most donations from individual donors.

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The winners will be announced Friday.

Every charity part of our program has local ties to Houston, said Muffy King, the marathons director of marketing, media and branding. The money is staying here, which resonates with our community.

Charity runners have to raise at least $350 to $500 to qualify for the race, but many raise thousands.

Kung Fu Running Club, already a mainstay with weekly recreational runs at Kung Fu Saloon, has coordinated Happy Hours to raise funds for its chosen charity. Many use social media, GoFundMe accounts and email campaigns, as well.

Its a cliche, but it takes a community for efforts like this. Whats great about our community is everyone is willing to help, King said.

There are 65 charities, 150 running teams and 1,160 fundraisers in this years program.

Currently, the top fundraiser so far is Lawrence Despain who has raised nearly $19,000 for the Snowdrop Foundation, Inc., an organization that provides college scholarships for pediatric cancer patients and childhood cancer survivors.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter: @reporterjulie

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25 years, $31 million: How Houston running community has helped area charities - Houston Chronicle

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