Running the marathon to raise money for the anaphylaxis campaign will achieve two great goals in my life. My family were one of the founder members of the anaphylaxis campaign as my youngest brother Joe, now 16, went into anaphylactic shock at 7 months old at around the same time that David Reading's (Founder) daughter sadly died of the same condition. At that time there was only prejudice towards those suffering with serious allergies and very little awareness by the public of this potentially life threatening condition.
The anaphylaxis campaign have been ceaseless in influencing central and local government policy. They have improved labelling laws, altered first line emergency services and produced information packs and guidelines for playgroups, schools, clubs and airlines Many food producers have changed their production lines following advice from the campaign and now fund getting information to allergy sufferers if their product becomes contaminated by common allergens. Life-saving epipens and anapens are now widely available and lifesaving kits are now in schools and are carried in ambulances and on board aircraft.
I am part of a large close family and during the last 16 years all family decisions have to take into account keeping Joe safe. Family holidays for example are only taken where labelling is clear and English well spoken. I also know first hand how Joe's schooling, social skills, job prospects and independence have been affected. Everyone close to him has to be aware of the severity of his condition and be prepared to avoid peanuts etc. themselves. He now has OCD due to the rituals needed to avoid cross contamination and celebrations can be tense times. The anaphylaxis campaign has kept us as a family informed of all new developments in treatments and allergy management.
On a personal note, I have had to deal with Joe in an emergency and watch him dice with death too often for comfort and anything I can do to bring the day when a cure is found closer I will do. I am therefore very proud to be running the marathon for such a worthy cause as without their support life for anaphylaxis sufferers would be much harder and my brother may not even be with us. l therefore ask you to dig deep into your pockets to donate whatever you can afford.
