Anthony Williams
Michael's Ironman Wales 2018 page
Fundraising for NSPKU
Story
I am participating in the Ironman Wales Triathlon on the 9th of September this year. I am fundraising for the NSPKU because our son, Aneiran was diagnosed as having PKU following the heel prick test.
Phenylketonuria (also called PKU) is a condition in which your body can't break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Amino acids help build protein in your body. Without treatment, phenylalanine (phe) builds up in the blood and causes health problems such as low concentration levels, behavioural issues, seizures and ultimately brain damage. It affects 1 in 10,000 babies in the UK.
People with PKU have to follow a highly restricted low protein vegan diet and take dietary supplements to ensure normal growth and development. Foods that contain large amounts of phe must be eliminated from a low phe diet. These foods are high protein foods, such as milk, dairy products, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, and nuts. These foods cause high blood phe levels for people with PKU.
I am completing this event which consists of a 2.4 mile sea swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. This all takes place in one day (under 17 hours) in the beautiful but hilly countryside of Pembrokeshire and town of Tenby. It's a bit of a mammoth task and I hope I manage to complete the course.
Aneiran is a very healthy and happy boy and the work of the NSPKU supports families and individuals to cope with the struggles of the diet.
Please take a look at the following link and give the diet a try for one day to see the limits that are placed on Aneiran and other sufferers- http://www.nspku.org/sites/default/files/publications/NSPKU_MP_Diet_Day_final.pdf
We fully appreciate any donation that you could spare for the NSPKU. Thank you for taking the time to look at my JustGiving page.
Michael, Saara and Aneiran Williams
(Please don't get confused by the Anthony Williams name. Anthony is my first name but I'm known as Michael or Mike).
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