Story
I was due to run the Brighton Marathon 2020 however due to Covid-19, I had to defer my place to Brighton Marathon 2021! :-)
All donations from my old page will be transferred over to this page as offline donations as advised by JustGiving...
So, in honor of my friendship with Emma, I am running the Brighton marathon. I ask you to consider donating as much as you can to my cause so that we can help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and stop this incredibly complex disease taking any more away from Emma, all other CF people and their families. A little goes a long way.
WHY I AM RUNNING AND WHY THIS CAUSE IS SO DEAR TO MY HEART
CF is a genetic, progressive disease that primarily effects the lungs and digestive systems. It clogs the lungs, pancreas and intestines with thick, sticky mucus making it difficult for these organs to work effectively. Over time chronic infection sets in and leads to severe damage of lung tissue, this eventually means all CF suffers end up needing a lung transplant to stay alive. Its a pretty horrible condition and it doesn't discriminate, this condition can advance at any age and, many children need transplants before they reach their teens.
My dear friend Emma was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) when she was just 2 years old, her parents were completely devastated that their baby girl was suffering from this chronic genetic condition and were told it was unlikely she would make it past her 16th birthday.
Emma has always had a fighting and determined spirit but her journey hasn't always been an easy one, she has had many ups and downs over the years and spent many months in hospital fighting off infections endlessly.
Today Emma is 31 years old and defying the odds for as long as she can. Currently her daily treatment regime takes several hours as she needs lots of physiotherapy sessions to help clear her lungs as well as many nebulisers to help her breathe. Its grueling process and that is without the added dozens of pills, monthly hospital admission, clinic appointments, CT scans, blood tests, liver tests, kidney tests, heart checks, x-rays, MRI's, ultrasounds, colonoscopies, IV antibiotics, sputum samples, oxygen sats, broncial artery embolisations, PICC lines, ports, multiple drug allergies, unexpected trips to A&E, ventilators, lung function tests.... the list is endless.
Some of the other reasons Emma has done so well is down to the medical research supported by the CF Trust that has gone into identifying gene types and creating more medicines to help treat the chronic build up of mucus in the lungs. In recent years, the breakthrough of drugs such as Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydaco which treats the underlying cause of this horrible condition has changed the future of CF for many people. This isn't a cure, yet, but it is the closest thing we have.
So, in honor of my friendship with Emma, I am running the Brighton marathon. I ask you to consider donating as much as you can to my cause so that we can help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and stop this incredibly complex disease taking any more away from Emma, all other CF people and their families. A little goes a long way.
This will be a very emotional but inspiring day for me and would love as much support as possible on race day so please come down and cheer me on!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Lots of Love Nicole x