Following a period of about two years suffering extremely painful headaches, frequently distorted vision and visits to osteopaths, neurologists and other specialists, a blood test in the autumn of 2011 prior to examination of an old knee injury and some unexplained bruising revealed that I had a very high blood platelet count. Following a bone marrow biopsy I was told that I had a condition known as Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET). 

ET is one of a number of conditions that are now classified as Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. When a person has a myeloproliferative disorder something goes wrong with blood cell production. The bone marrow begins to produce either too many blood cells, or sometimes too few. The causes are unknown and that is why I want to raise funds to support research which may in turn lead to better treatments and ultimately a cure. 

Patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) have an elevated platelet count – their blood contains too many platelets. The high number of platelets causes blood to be ‘sticky’, so people with ET are at a higher risk of clotting. People with ET can also have bleeding problems because their platelets do not always work well. 

Following diagnosis, I was immediately put on treatment and around two and a half years later having experienced various side effects and fluctuating test results, my fantastic consultant persevered and my platelet count finally came under control at a normal level early in 2014.

I decided to get myself back in shape and after several months training, on the 6th June 2014 I completed the St Albans half marathon in two hours and seventeen minutes which I was very pleased with given that it was a surprisingly hilly course and a very hot day.

Being back to my more active self lifted my spirits enormously and now having completed the half marathon I have taken the plunge and secured a place for The Virgin London Marathon in April 2015.

I've noticed one or two other MPD sufferers on the MPD Voice website who have taken on similarly active challenges and I think it is really important to spread the word that being diagnosed with an MPN doesn't necessarily stop you doing all the activities you enjoy. It's also a great opportunity to raise funds for research into these conditions in the hope that one day there will be a cure. Many sufferers are facing far graver situations than I am and I want to do as much as I can for as long as I can.

I raised £550 of sponsorship for MPD Voice by running the St Albans Half Marathon and I’m very grateful to everyone who donated to this little known charity which is run by volunteers under the auspices of Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. I have set myself a target to raise a minimum of £2,500 from running the London Marathon. 

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MPDs have recently been reclassified as Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs). To find out more about Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, please visit:

www.mpnvoice.org.uk