Hi I’m Jack and I’ve chosen to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge in May 2022 for my girlfriend Abbey who has been diagnosed with a rare, complex and incurable disease called Behçets.

Behçet’s is a very rare autoimmune, autoinflammatory, vasculitic disease affecting around 2000 people throughout the UK. Behçet’s causes widespread inflammation in the body and attacks all systems and organs causing an array of different symptoms. Unfortunately, at this moment there is no cure, only medication to try and minimise the effects of the disease.

For Abbey her Behçets is even rarer as it has attacked her heart and veins causing multiple aneurysms including an aortic aneurysm. As such Abbey will need heart surgery.

The severity of Abbey’s condition, has meant she had to commence chemotherapy immediately after her diagnosis to slow down her immune system and to prevent it causing further damage to her heart and other organs. Unfortunately the chemotherapy can cause infertility and we were unable to preserve eggs.

Without Dr Berg’s diagnosis in November 2021, Christmas 2021 would have been Abbey’s last. To honour and as a thank you to Dr Berg a portion of the money raised will go towards his research department. Whilst another portion will go towards BehçetsUK.

This diagnosis has been devastating to Abbey as well as myself, family and friends. But we remain optimistic. If you could support us, we would be truly grateful for any kind donations. Thank you