Hi guys and gals.

***update 27/09/10***

Just to say a big thank you to everyone that has sponsered so far - you are making an enormous difference to those affected by Macular Disease! Between online and paper-based donations we are only £50.00 from the target!!!

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First of all, big big thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Raising public awareness of a charity is just as important as raising donations for it, so I hope that even if you are unable to donate at this time you come away with a greater understanding of what Macular Disease is, and of the work of the Macular Disease Society itself.

 

Running the Loch Ness marathon was a challenge I decided to set myself for 2010 (all well and good when it was half a year or so away!), and I didn't really consider the fundraising element to begin with.  However, around the time I had confirmed my place on the marathon, I discovered that my Nan has been diagnosed with Macular Disease (MD), and so figured that raising money would not only be a good way to support her and others affected, but it would also prevent me from getting distracted with other hobbies and dropping out somewhere along the way (anyone who knows me these days can attest that I am a pretty unfocused bundle of energy at times!)

 

So, onwards with the good cause. Macular Disease is the most common cause of sight-loss in the developed world - with an estimated 25-30 million people affected worldwide.  There are two principle types of Macular Disease (which affects the Macular - a small area of the retina made up of cells which process 'central vision' as well as fine detail and much of our colour vision).  These are known as 'Wet' and 'Dry'.

 

Dry MD is where the light-sensitive cells of the macular degenerate.  Over time this will cause the loss of central vision.  There is currently no treatment for this, although studies are currently being carried out by The Age-Related Eye Disease Society (AREDS).

 

Wet MD is caused by the growth of abnormal blood cells under or into the macular, which then leak, causing hemorrhages in the eye and scarring the macular unless stopped.  This form is very aggressive and can lead to sight loss within weeks.  It is also the form of MD that my is believed to have.

 

Most people that are affected with MD are over 55 and have what is officially known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or ).

 

Although the extent to which blindness can occur varies from case to case, even those with relatively mild MD will have difficulty reading, writing, recognising faces and detail, and watching television.  Those affected will also not be able to drive.  As a result MD often leads to isolation and depression, and a poor quality of life if local support is not available.  Loss of sight can also cause severe and/or fatal injuries in the elderly, on account of falling, etc.

I only just clawed through Biology at school, so I hope I made the above fairly clear...But now (drum roll), how might your donations help?

The Macular Disease Society is a self-help society for those diagnosed with MD, and is dedicated to providing information and practical support, and enabling a better quality of life to those affected.

 

Thanks to financial support, some treatments for Wet MD have been developed in recent years.  These include Photo-Dynamic Therapy (laser treatment used to seal abnormal vessels) and Anti-VEGF treatment (drugs injected into the eye, which inhibit VEGF protein and stop the formation of new blood vessels).  Further research is being carried out on gene therapies, intra-ocular lenses and nutrition.  In addition to this, the London Project to Cure Blindness is developing a technique of replacing the cells affected by and thus restoring vision to the affected.  The Society contributes to this research.  Financial contributions will also support work carried out solely by the Society - be it providing information, providing counselling and/or emotional support to members, or even just running and bringing together local groups.

 

I appreciate that the current climate does not actively promote charitable giving, but I hope you can spare some of your valuable coppers, silvers, pounds and notes (electronic though they may be)  for a good cause - knowing that you aren't just supporting a Society, but also research into preventing/reducing blindness and reducing isolation of those affected. And at least by doing it this way you are stopping me harassing you on the high street :-)  Big win for all! For my part, on top of the various costs of the marathon, I hope to donate money myself - and I promise to try and not to get distracted/eaten by Nessie on the day!!

 

Thanks for your time,

Gaz

 

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Links of interest:

 

The Macular Disease Society

http://www.maculardisease.org/

 

The Project to Cure Blindness

http://www.thelondonproject.org/

 

International

http://www.amdalliance.org/

 

Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)

http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/

 

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Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

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