Simon Pickering

Sally and Simon's Hadrian's Wall Hike 2017 page

Fundraising for Haemochromatosis UK
£1,749
raised of £1,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Haemochromatosis UK

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1001307
We fight for a world without iron overload to prevent serious illness and save lives

Story

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Five years ago the prospect of walking 85 miles along Hadrian's Wall would have seemed no challenge at all:  Sally and I have been keen walkers all our lives and have always been fit and healthy.

But since the onset of all kinds of seemingly unrelated health problems five years ago (chronic fatigue, arthritis, abdominal pain)  and finally  being diagnosed with GeneticHaemochromatosis, this will be no mean feat for me. 

Sufferers of haemochromatosis, like me,  absorb excess iron from food which then accumulates in the body's joints and organs, leading to debilitating and life-threatening complications including liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, diabetes and heart failure.

By the time  I was diagnosed  my level of Serum Ferritin  ( a key indicator of iron overload)  was over 30 times  greater than the normal level.

Fortunately my liver was  only mildly damaged  and  my heart is still healthy. However  I  still suffer  from chronic fatigue and  painful  arthritis, particularly in my  knees & toes.

I was fortunate to be diagnosed early, but many are not so lucky.

This has made Sally and I  more determined to rise to the challenge of this walk in  order to raise awareness of this little-known, but not uncommon condition, so that it can be detected earlier and treated in more people before it becomes life threatening. 

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About the charity

Haemochromatosis UK

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1001307
Genetic haemochromatosis (GH) can affect as many as 1 in 10 people in regions of the UK with an estimated 1.2million people at risk of serious ill health. We carry out pioneering research, increase public awareness, provide education to GPs & nurses and support families

Donation summary

Total raised
£1,748.29
+ £329.38 Gift Aid
Online donations
£1,748.29
Offline donations
£0.00

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