This story is about my daughter, Caris.

For the last two years, Caris has been living with constant pain and discomfort. What started as occasional bladder issues soon turned into something far more serious - bladder retention, recurring infections, and severe daily pain. Her life has become a cycle of doctors' visits, hospital visits, and tests in search of an answer, all the while her symptoms worsened and from June 2025 has been dealing with the endless challenges of life with a supra pubic catheter. Finally, after nearly 2 years of searching for answers, Caris has now been diagnosed with Fowler’s Syndrome.

Fowler’s Syndrome is a rare and poorly understood condition that affects the bladder’s ability to function properly, leading to chronic urinary retention and, in severe cases, life altering and potentially life-threatening complications.

For Caris, the stakes are terrifyingly real. Without effective treatment, doctors have advised that she could one day face the removal of her bladder entirely. No young person should have to contemplate that future.

As her mother, I feel powerless at times—but I also feel determined. Caris deserves the chance to live a full, healthy life without constant pain and fear. And there is hope.

Thanks to medical research, there is a specialised device that could help restore some bladder function and prevent irreversible damage. Before that can happen, Caris must undergo a series of advanced medical tests to confirm the device is a viable solution.

The challenge is cost. These tests and the device itself are far beyond what our family can manage on our own.

That is why I’m reaching out to you.

The 2026 5K Challenge: A Mother’s Promise to Her Daughter

In 2026, I am committing to run 5 kilometres every single day for the entire year to raise funds for Caris’s treatment.

I’ve been a runner for many years—but I’ve never taken on something like this. It will be physically exhausting and mentally demanding. Still, it pales in comparison to what Caris endures every day. If she can face the pain, procedures, and uncertainty with courage, I can face 5 kilometres—one day at a time.

Every step I take represents hope. Hope that Caris can avoid losing her bladder. Hope that she can reclaim her independence, her comfort, and her future.

I’m asking for your support—whether it’s a donation to help fund the tests and treatment, or simply sharing this story with your friends and family. Every little bit makes a difference. The more we raise, the closer we get to giving Caris the chance to live her life without the fear of irreversible damage to her body.

How Your Support Will Help

Your donation will go directly toward:

• The specialised medical tests required to confirm Caris’s diagnosis

• Determining whether the bladder device is a viable treatment option

• Securing the device that could spare her from irreversible surgery

This treatment could change everything—but we cannot get there without help.

How You Can Help

• Donate: Every amount counts! Your contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward Caris’s treatment. You can donate through our fundraising page, which will track our progress toward our goal.

• Share Our Story: Help spread the word about Caris’s journey and our 5K challenge. Share on social media, in emails, or with people who might want to be part of this effort. The more people who know, the closer we get to reaching our goal.

• Join Me in the Challenge: If you’re able and willing, why not join me in running 5 kilometers every day in 2026? Whether you run, walk, or even cheer us on, your involvement will make this challenge feel even more meaningful.

A Thank You to Those Who Support Us

The journey so far has been one of the hardest and most heartbreaking experiences of our lives. But it’s also shown just how strong and resilient Caris is. As a mother, I would do anything to take away her pain and give her the chance to live the life she deserves.

Thank you for helping us bring hope to this journey.