Belfast City Marathon for the CF Trust

To celebrate Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week, there’s no better way than to kickstart my fundraising for the Belfast City Marathon. As someone who was diagnosed with this condition at only a few weeks old, CF has been my life and all I’ve ever known.

What is cystic fibrosis?

It is a rare inherited genetic condition that causes breathing and digestive problems. It is a progressive condition which means it gets worse over time. It can also lead to other medical conditions such as diabetes , liver disease & osteoporosis.

Luckily enough I am relatively well with my condition and manage it well living a very normal life with few complications. My mum keeping me well and on top of medication, treatment and hospital visits from a young age has been a massive contribution to this. Also through medical advancements over the years with the release of Orkambi & Kaftrio in 2020, it’s not a cure and it’s not suitable for everyone, but it’s progress and one step closer to a cure. People with CF can appear fine on the outside, and so many people don’t realise what they go through on a daily basis and what it takes to stay well.

In March this year I decided to start running as a hobby alongside my regular weight training. In April I competed my first 5k run at Belfast zoo (the hills… I know!!!). The “runners high” as everyone talks about, got to me and after completing a few more runs I thought it was a GREAT idea () to sign up for the Belfast City Marathon in May 2026. 26.2 miles is bad enough, nevermind with a lung condition. It is going to be tough, however I know it will be so worth it to go against the odds & complete something that should be “impossible” for someone with my condition.

I will be running this marathon in memory of those with cystic fibrosis who are no longer here , to raise money to one day find a cure & also for little me who thought she was “weird” for having to take tablets to be able to eat, getting up earlier for school to take nebulisers and leaving school due to being unwell / hospital appointments. I’m doing it for future me who can always look back and say “I done it”, knowing I’m part of the 1% club, and completing this with a chronic lung condition.

any donations, shares etc would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Devon