Hallmark star Luke Macfarlane ran in the London Marathon today, Sunday, April 26. While participating in the event is an impressive physical feat, the actor didn’t take on the challenge for praise. Instead, he took part for a very special reason that is both heartwrenching and heartwarming.
Luke Ran for His Partner’s Late Brother
GettyBefore the marathon took place, Luke took time to speak to Parade about the fact that he and “his partner, Hig Roberts, and Hig’s twin sister, Cassady, [were running] to raise money for diabetes research.”
Parade explains that “[t]he three are running for Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization. The company, formerly known as JDRF, has been at the forefront of advancing research into type 1 diabetes and finding a cure.”
Luke, Hig and Cassady were aiming to raise $10,000 and had managed about $8,500 by the time of the interview. Parade notes that the group’s motivation was ultimately “to raise awareness and funds for the disease that claimed the life of Roberts’ little brother, Murphy.”
Parade explains that “Murphy was hiking in Utah when he had a Type 1 diabetes-related seizure, which caused him to fall. The 22-year-old died from complications from the disease, with his family by his side.”
Luke “never met Murphy, but he’s such an important and integral part of their lives that the Platonic star has naturally participated in honoring his life, as well. One of these ways is with the phrase, ‘Send it for Murph.’ When Macfarlane and the Roberts’ family go skiing, which is a big part of their lives, they unfailingly stop and say the phrase ‘Send it for Murph’ once they reach a certain point on the mountain.”
The trio also ran together in 2023, with Hig sharing an Instagram post about the experience, writing, “Near mile 21, fittingly also Murphy’s number, I crumpled over a fire extinguisher and my twin took the team on her back to get us home— something she has done for our family time and time again since we lost Murphy. It is these moments and the opportunity to have a place to put the pain, loss, as well as the hope and will into something that makes me the best version of myself.”
He added, “I appreciate all who supported us with fundraising, cheers, etc. And for Murph— who though I wish was physically here— shows up and reminds me to do the marathon of life as best as possible. 💙 #senditformurph”
Stars Who Have Opened Up About Having Diabetes
GettyAccording to the World Health Organization, “About 830 million people worldwide have diabetes. … Both the number of people with diabetes and the number of people with untreated diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past decades.”
That number includes celebrities, some of whom have opened up about having diabetes.
For instance, “Nick Jonas wrote a song about his type 1 diagnosis, ‘A Little Bit Longer'” after learning he had diabetes “when he was just 13 years old,” according to Business Insider (BI).
Billy Porter “revealed he was diagnosed with type 2,” BI notes, while “Salma Hayek was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2007 while pregnant with her daughter” and “Meghan Trainor was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in December 2020.”
“Tom Hanks … developed type 2,” BI added, while noting that “Halle Berry was also diagnosed with diabetes in her 20s” and model (and daughter of Kate Moss) “Lila Moss walked the runway wearing her insulin pump.”
