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As you’re hopefully aware I’m Ryo and I currently work as a doctor being in my 5th year in the NHS. I have become a keen runner in the last year or so and decided to set a target to run the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday 7th October. I’ve not done a half marathon in around 12 years so it’s not something I’m necessarily used to and before even thinking about a marathon, I thought this’d be a nice step to go through.

The reason why I’ve decided to fundraise for the National Eczema Society is mainly because it’s a charity that no doubt I’d have appreciated during the periods I struggled with...

...I have suffered from eczema, or more accurately I am living with eczema currently. I had atopy/eczema in my childhood which settled before my teenage years and never had issues since. Unfortunately I had a relapse when I started working as a doctor, mainly secondary to stress; not just from the hours and workload but also from emotional stress arising from difficult social relationships with various colleagues I met. 

This eventually led me to having severe eczema which I could not control with just topical treatment and I had to have courses of oral steroids and antibiotics on several occasions. During this time I received recommendations/warnings to be off work as I was scratching unbearably, shedding skin and even lost my eyebrows with intolerable inflammation and itchiness on my face as well as my trunks and limbs. This lead to a decision of having a career break for 4months. This period was really important not only to get my skin under control but it allowed me to analyze and learn the triggers as well as how to control my flares not only physically but also mentally. 

I returned to the frontline in the Summer of 2017 knowing what my various coping mechanisms are as well as just standard day-to-day treatment regimes to keep my Eczema under control. One of my coping mechanisms which I have properly delved into since has been running and so I felt making the decision to run this half marathon with an aim to support the National Eczema Society was a no-brainer.

I’ve only come across the charity recently but I can only imagine how the services and help they offer must make great differences for people who suffer with eczema like myself. So any small donations towards them would be hugely appreciated..!

I’m aiming to run sub 1hour 30minutes which may be crazy, but if I can push this time without stressing and flaring-up my eczema, it proves that Eczema is not something that limits your potential. Well, that’s what I believe..!

Thanks again for your patience to read this far as well as your time for considering to donate (^^

Ryo