<p>On the 15th April 2012, I&nbsp;am running&nbsp;the Paris marathon in aid of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #810081;">Group B Streptococcus (GBS).</span></span><span style="color: #810081;"> </span></p> <p>On the 13th April 2011&nbsp;two of my closest friends lost their second daughter, Chloe Annabel, after having contracted Group B Streptococcus (GBS) during birth.<br><br>GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies in the UK. Without preventative medicine, GBS infects around 700 babies each year in the UK, of whom sadly 75 die and another 40 suffer long-term problems as a result. And yet most of these infections could be prevented.</p> <p>Tragically, it is not normal practice in the UK to screen for GBS in pregnant women, however the test is a simple swab, which is painless and safe and is performed routinely on pregnant women in other countries such as USA, France, Australia, as well as many others.</p> <p>A very simple and cheap test could have prevented this tragic loss.<br><br>Group B Strep Support is a charity aimed at raising awareness and informing both parents and the wider public for the need to start testing for GBS, along with providing help and support to those families who have lost a child.<br><br>Would be extremely grateful for any support you can give.</p>