As some of you will know, I am here today and crazily contemplating a marathon because of the doctors and nursing staff at Leicester Hospitals.

In February 2007 I was rushed into Stoke Mandeville hospital with an agressive case of pneumonia. I was moved to intensive care, sedated and put on a ventilator, however I deteriorated with septic shock and multi-organ failure.  My family were told I was gravely ill and that my only chance of survival was a treatment, still under trial at the time, called ECMO at Leicester'sGlenfieldHospital  but there were no guarantees that I would survive the journey or that it would be effective.

I did survive the journey and received the ECMO treatment during my 6 week stay in Leicester. For this period I was in a coma  but I am told by my family that the treatment and care I received in Leicester was truely remarkable and they have absolutely no doubt that this treatment saved my life.   After 10 weeks in hospital I was discharged on April 30^th. 

I can't ever begin to repay Leicester Hospitals and the ECMO unit  for saving my life but I would really appreciate it if you could dig deep and sponsor me for completing the marathon.  Since my ECMO experience the ECMO trial has been completed and the treatment has been proven to improve surival rates for adults with severe respiratory failure, and the money I raise will provide funding for the unit, with the hope that more people, like me, can benefit from this treatment. If you would like to find out more about the treatment follow the link below.

http://www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/index.asp?pgid=6923

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Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Leicester Hospitals Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.