April 2014: My partner Claire aged 31, mother of my three boys aged 3 and a half, 2 and 6 months, was admitted to intensive care with an unknown medical condition. Her health decreased rapidly and within a few hours of being admitted she had three organ failure. Her blood vessels, kidneys and liver where no longer able to cope with the illness and were shutting down. It was at this time that the team at Forth Valley Royal's Intensive Care worked so hard for Claire. The first night was a living hell for me but the staff working so hard gave me hope that the longer they worked the more likely Claire would be to pull through. 

The doctors later discovered Claire was suffering from a streptococcal bacterial infection that had found its way into her blood stream thereby infecting all areas of her body. Claire was unconscious for nearly two weeks and spent six weeks in Intensive Care. 

Claire underwent many surgeries to try to relieve swelling and prevent the spread of the infection. Unfortunately the infection had spread too quickly for treatment to be fully effective and Claire had to have an above knee amputation performed on one leg and she lost the muscles from the front of the opposite lower leg. Both her arms were also affected where diseased tissue was cut away. 

In total Claire spent some six months in hospital and we are thankful for all the care given but for me the team in ICU, doctors and nursing staff, who saved Claire for me and our boys, deserve the most credit. 

So please give generously so they can save more lives.

The Ironride is a ONE DAY, 180km/112miles long cycle sportive and takes place in Tayside on the 20th September. With its challenging hilly profile it is set to be among the most punishing sportives in Scotland. 

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Many thanks

Damian

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