As most of you know I'll be running my first race on October 26th 2008 - Bupa Great South (10 miles) and for my efforts I'm raising funds for the “UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund”.

Most of you probably haven't heard of Amyloidosis; it's a fatal disease caused by the progressive build up of abnormal protein fibres into the body's organs and tissues, often leading to kidney, heart and/or liver failure. Because Amyloidosis is still relatively unknown the National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) is in great need of your support. Until recently, Amyloid was thought to be irreversible and without treatment most patients die within a year or so of diagnosis. The average survival of patients attending the NAC now exceeds 8 years or more, but more funding is needed for research and in developing treatments.

After previously being misdiagnosed, it was only a couple of weeks before my Grandfather (John Pitman) passed that we discovered he was suffering with the disease. This was very much a painful and an unbefitting end for someone who was so dignified, respected and loved by the people that knew him and although he wasn't able to spend the last few months as he would have liked, patients attending the NAC might just be able to.

Anything you can spare, however big or small, would be greatly appreciated and for any more information please refer to the link below or feel free to ask:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicine/amyloidosis/rf/index.html

The NAC doesn't have it's own page so donations will go through the Royal Free Hampstead Charitable Trust and be automatically diverted to the NAC's fund (Professor Philip Hawkins, Fund No 24). If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.