The Amy May Yam Marathon

I have decided to create this fundraiser for a close family friend and next door neighbour of mine who has suffered for the majority of her life with severe intestinal dysmotility. Amy also has Addisons disease, and chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction. 

After spending years at Great Ormond Sthopsital treating her illness she had opportunities to come home however the condition presents an unpredictable threat, meaning her stays at home weren’t always for long. Throughout all this Amy continued to have a positive attitude and always put a smile on the faces of those around her, a credit to who she is as a person.

In 2018 Amy had a multi-organ transplant which is a very risky procedure, but in typical Amy fashion she smashed every obstacle she was faced with. This granted Amy with a year of many happy memories, living what most of us would call a ‘normal’ life, during this time.

However, as can happen with organ transplants, the organs began to reject causing Amy severe pain once more which required the organs to be removed. The procedure again being life threatening, Amy continued to do the unthinkable as she wasn't ready to leave the ones she loved yet. She spent further months in hospital before finally getting well enough to come home and see her friends and family.

The news none of us wanted to hear was informed to us by the specialists in recent weeks that Amy was at a stage where there was nothing more they could do, and it was about making her comfortable and enjoying the rest of her time with the people she cares about. Something no 26 year old should have to hear.

The bravery this woman has shown after fighting agonising pain for years and years is truly unbelievable, which is why I have decided to run a marathon to raise money for Martin House Hospice in Wetherby, the hospice that looks after Amy.

The marathon will take place in June, and any donations will be massively appreciated.