Very few of you will know that I suffer from a rare genetic illness called Cystic Fibrosis.

 

Cystic Fibrosis is, if anything, a life threatening and life shortening disease which affects the respiratory and digestive systems, to the point which I need to take medication around the clock in order to keep myself well.

 

More info on the illness itself can be found here: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/what-is-cystic-fibrosis - In short, 1 in 25 people in the UK are carriers of the CF gene. Cystic fibrosis tends to get worse over time and can be fatal if it leads to a serious infection or the lungs stop working properly. But people with Cystic Fibrosis are now living for longer because of advancements in treatment.

 

After a sustained fight by the CF community and the Trust, vital medication was finally made available on the NHS at the end of 2019. You can find out more about the campaign here: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/the-work-we-do/campaigning-hard/life-saving-drugs

 

Over the past two years, and with Coronavirus playing havoc on our lives, I decided to take up running, as exercise is something which I need to do, in order to prevent serious build up of mucus and stave off infection.

 

With the help of a fantastic group of friends, I am now at the stage where I can comfortably run a Half-Marathon. And what better way to celebrate this, by taking part in an organised event.

Despite planning to enter this half marathon in 2021, just three weeks before it began, I contracted pneumonia and ended up in hospital for a period of two weeks. After making a full recovery, I am planning to run in the 2022 event. 

 

Many of you know that I love nothing more than having a laugh and joke around, but if I can just be serious for one minute, unfortunately this illness is something which will not go away overnight. Thanks to fundraising, like this, we can now count ourselves lucky that enhanced treatment is available through the NHS. Let's keep that going and hopefully one day, everyone with CF can live a stress free and relatively normal life.

 

No matter how little your donation, it would mean the world to me. I'll also buy you a pint.