Hi all,

Thanks for taking the time to read this

I'm Katie and in a nutshell this is my story. I have had cluster headaches for over 25 years. This and everything else that has come along since (6 other headache conditions, cardiac and adrenal side effects) has had a devastating impact on my life.

When i became so ill that i couldn't work i used my experience in health psychology and social work to undertake a piece of research involving at it largest point just under 500 people living with cluster headaches. I also speak about my experience regularly at events with NHS England, most often with the Coalition for collaborative care. I also enjoy working with the Q community within the Heath Foundation. I have turned my devastating illness into a 'career' that I am incredibly passionate about.

I completely self funded this research and I'm so proud to have been accepted to give a poster presentation at a conference in Vancouver later this year. I need to travel with a carer and would need to avoid a 9 hour flight twice in a week so i have obvious travel and accommodation costs.

I am extremely grateful to have an interested company paying for 50% of my costs but i need your help.

I will be writing Blogs, filming videos and tweeting from the event and afterwards so if you are interested in headaches in any way or just want to know how a patients view is received at an academic conference ill be sharing it lots!