I am participating in the full 26.2 mile Taunton Marathon on the 2nd of April, 2017. All proceeds from the fundraising will be donated to the Taunton Dialysis Centre patient’s fund. Dialysis treatment can be an extremely debilitating and frustrating process, with people suffering from kidney failure or problems required to receive treatment up to four times a week for a number of hours each day. The aim of the patient’s fund is to provide patients of the centre with amenities and resources to make the process of receiving dialysis treatment as positive and comfortable as possible.

Some sufferers of kidney failure will only require dialysis treatment until they are available for a kidney transplant. However, for unfortunate others who aren't deemed applicable for such replacement, they will receive the treatment for the rest of their lives. The treatment can only partially compensate for the loss of kidney function and having kidneys that don't work properly can place a significant strain on the body.

Sadly, this means that people can die while on dialysis if they don't have a kidney transplant, particularly elderly people and those with other health problems. Someone who starts dialysis in their late 20s can expect to live for up to 20 years or longer, but adults over 75 may only survive for two to three years.

The aim of this fundraising to provide patients at the Taunton Dialysis Unit with as pleasant an experience as possible while they are receiving treatment. As of 2012, roughly 2 million people worldwide had complete kidney failure and that number is on the rise. It is conceivable that at some point in your lifetime, yourself or a loved one will require dialysis and I hope that you'll support me in my cause to provide current patients with as comfortable an experience as possible.

More information on dialysis and kidney failure:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dialysis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120816201441.htm