In January 2014, Don’s wife and Morag’s mum, Helen was diagnosed with Vasculitis – an uncommon illness which causes inflammation of the blood vessels.  In Helen’s case, it originally caused kidney damage which was successfully treated at the
specialist vasculitis clinic in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Although symptoms have mostly been kept under control through regular monitoring and courses of treatment at ARI, the illness can recur, and in October last year a ‘flare up’ attacked nerve cells in Helen’s legs which have severely affected her mobility. Sadly, we have been advised that such damage is far more difficult to repair and the prognosis is that Helen will not regain the very active lifestyle she previously enjoyed, particularly walking and cycling.   

As Vasculitis is a relatively uncommon illness, affecting only 20 in every 100,000 in the UK every year, it doesn’t attract the levels of support for the more common diseases such as cancer, heart and stroke.  The only charity in Scotland dedicated to Vasculitis is The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation which was founded in 2010 by the parents of Lauren who died from the condition at the age of 15.  Details of the work they do to support people affected by the illness and raise funds for medical research can be found on their website www.thelaurencurrietwilightfoundation.org

Don and Morag have decided to set themselves cycle challenges
this summer in the hope of attracting sponsorship for Vasculitis research in Scotland.  The challenges we have set ourselves are:

Don will aim to cycle 500 miles over July and August and complete
the Tour o the Borders event in the
Scottish Borders on 4^th September - a challenging 55mile route involving
around 2500ft of climbing. 

Morag, being younger and fitter (says Dad 😊) also plans to cycle 500 miles in July & August. This will include the C2C cycle route across the North of England during her family holiday and the 100 mile Ride the North event starting in Elgin in August.

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