Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 2016, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and low bone density after 2 fractures in my 30s.  Although it turned out these fractures were not directly related to osteoporosis, I did find out that my bone density matches that of a 75 year old! 

So I decided to get in touch with the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) about fundraising opportunities not just to raise money for this silent disease, that has not had a new therapy approved for years, but to get involved in raising awareness for an incredibly debilitating disease.

Because of my age (37), I do not meet the requirements for currently available treatments.  As a result, I am being monitored over the next 10 years to understand the progression;  are my bones are degrading or was peak bone density never reached.  A common misconception is that bone density peaks during adolescence , it is in fact in your 30s. 

My case is somewhat rare and I’m classed as having idiopathic osteoporosis (reason unknown) being so young.  I do have a family history that I was aware of hence why I have been a regular gym goer, lifting weights to increase bone density as well as keeping myself at a healthy weight, since I was about 18.   But maybe the power of genetics was too strong in this case!? We'll never know!

However there are definitely actions and decisions over my lifetime that may have contributed and that’s the message I want to get across and get people talking about.  We infrequently hear about bone health as a major concern as much as some of the other diseases in the media, or maybe we do but dismiss it thinking it’s an old lady disease. I'm going to start a blog about the walks I do and just about information I find out on this journey about the disease, treatments and lifestyle choices that can help.  As a scientist, I am naturally curious so I am really looking forward to working with NOS to help raise awareness and finding out more.

I have signed up for The National Osteoporosis Society “206 challenge”, to walk 206 miles by the end of 2017 – 206 miles for every bone we have in our body.  However, I will only be counting the miles I walk on mountains greater than 2000ft in height to challenge myself as part of my recovery.  

This week, 1 year ago, I had surgery to get a titanium rod in my leg – for the 7 months before surgery I walked no more than 2000 steps a day and it took another 2 months to regularly be able to cope with 10,000 steps. So 206 miles, up mountains in 8 months will be a challenging goal!

As for how osteoporosis has changed my life…..well it hasn’t and I don’t intend to let it! Although I have given up Coca-Cola (one of the worst drinks I could ever consume, which has been a favourite treat of mine for many many years).  Life is too short, but it is about balance and it has taken a long time both physically and mentally to get to that frame of mind.  I no longer deny myself any foods and drinks I enjoy but on the flip side I aim to nourish my body so it is as healthy as possible and continues to let me do all the activities that bring me joy.  There are no longer any good or bad foods in my life.  Having the ability of walking, something many of us take for granted, taken away for a short time has made me even more grateful for everything I have in life and I will not waste it! I still want to be walking up mountains when I am 70!

Challenge accepted…

So here I am, I'd love it if you could donate some money this awesome charity - thank you!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.