On April 23rd 2023 I’m going to be running the London marathon for the polycystic kidney disease (PKD Charity) I have the condition myself, this has meant between both of my kidneys combined I now have below 50% kidney function, I have completed 4 half marathons now and I’m ready for the challenge of a full marathon. 

My mum had to undergo a double transplant surgery last year with this condition meaning she had to have a new liver and kidney. 

I have chosen to run for this charity as it is personal and close to me, also little is known about this condition still. Any money raised would make a massive difference for the charity and research required to help the people effected.

Polycystic Kidney Disease, The world's most common Inherited life-threatening condition.

PKD is a genetic condition where several cysts form and grow on various organs in the body, but mainly the kidneys. Affecting over 12 million people around the world and up to 70,000 adults and children in the UK, PKD is the most common genetic kidney disease and the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. There is currently no cure.

A few facts:

• PKD has been in existence with humanity - with the most detailed recorded case dating back to 1586 - but awareness, and therefore understanding of the disease, is still far too low.
• PKD causes cysts to develop in kidneys and sometimes in other organs. The cysts multiply and increase in size, causing the kidneys to enlarge from the size of a fist to a rugby ball or bigger.
• ADPKD is usually inherited and occurs when faulty genes are passed from a parent to their child. Genes are the instructions our cells need to make our body parts and organs. We all have two copies of each gene, one from each parent.
• A new treatment has been approved in Europe for adults that can help slow the progression of ADPKD: tolvaptan (Jinarc®). Tolvaptan is taken orally (as a tablet). It can slow the rate at which your kidneys become enlarged by cysts and can help to slow the speed at which your kidney function declines.

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