My grandmother recently suffered excruciating pain as a direct result of osteoporosis / osteonecrosis in her spinal vertebra and rapidly lost not only her mobility, independence but was also affected emotionally. We were fortunate that surgical treatment was possible to help to alleviate some of the symptoms and subsequently she has some of her life back.
Up until this personal experience I was entirely ignorant about how awful and debilitating spinal /nerve pain caused by osteoporosis can be where it transformed my incredible and full-of-life grandmother to someone with a limited and deteriorating quality of life. I realise now how osteoporosis and poor awareness to take preventative measures can have a massive adverse impact on someone’s life...statistically, that's 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in UK over the age of 50 who are affected by fragile bones. Worldwide, an osteoporotic fracture is estimated to occur every 3 seconds, a vertebral fracture every 22 seconds. Osteoporosis takes a huge personal and economic toll. In Europe, the disability due to osteoporosis is greater than that caused by cancers (with the exception of lung cancer) and is comparable or greater than that lost to a variety of chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and high blood pressure related heart disease.
So, although I am totally terrified by the prospect of covering 42km and the training (goodbye life / sofa / wine / all my favourite things), I also feel very strongly about raising awareness and funds for osteoporosis by running (or more likely in my case the "run / hobble / jog / crawl combo") for the National Osteoporosis Society. This charity is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and I would be massively grateful for any support you can provide (preferably of the credit card / cash type)
Thank you!
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