Karen Burns
Karen's London Marathon 2018 Page
Fundraising for The Lily Foundation
Story
Thank you for visiting my sponsorship page.
In the year I turn 40, I figured it is about time I embarked upon a challenge that I have been wanting to do for many years whilst supporting a charity that is very close to my heart. I have been privileged to get a place on Team Lily for the Lily Foundation in the London Marathon 2018.
In 2013, some close friends of ours, the Kitto Family were given the devastating news that their daughter Poppy had Mitochondrial Disease. Poppy is 6 years old and an amazing little girl whose smile lights up a room and despite her condition is a ray of sunshine for anyone who meets her. Just look at the beautiful pictures on my page and you’ll see what I mean.
In nearly every cell in the body, mitochondria are responsible for producing energy (called ATP) that the cell needs to function. Cells make up tissues and organs in our bodies, for example the heart and liver. They are like power stations in our bodies, supplying the energy every cell needs to function.
If our cells do not have energy then the tissues or body organs that the cells are made up of do not work properly. In the same way if power stations do not produce enough energy there will be areas of blackout, where parts of the country cannot function.
When a person has Mitochondrial Disease the mitochondria in the cells are not producing enough energy. Sometimes they are not very efficient or they do not work at all.
Because of this disease and the faulty mitochondria in her body Poppy is unable to walk, sit unaided, has difficulty swallowing, and has lost her ability to speak. As you can imagine, all of this makes it very difficult to do even the most basic things day to day. Yet, even with all of these challenges she is determined to live life to the full and enjoy the world around her, her friends and her family.
The disease has no typical symptoms, usually has no prognosis, there are no treatments and as of yet no cure. This why research is so important so that one day there can hopefully be a cure so no more families have to endure this heartbreak.
The Lily Foundation is a small, yet wonderful charity, founded in Lily's memory, having lost her battle to Mitochondrial Disease at just eight months old. The charity aims to give hope, answers and support to the many other children and families that face the challenges of this disease today. Did you know every twenty minutes a child is born who will develop Mitochondrial Disease by the age of 16.
Each and every penny I raise will go straight to the Lily Foundation to fund this vital work.
Please stand with us and fight Mitochondrial Disease and fight for hope.
Any sponsorship is so gratefully received and will certainly keep me going through the Winter Months on my journey to London in April.
You can learn more by watching this short video
https://youtu.be/yQiBXZenEkY
and by visiting
www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk
THANK-YOU!!
xxxx
In the year I turn 40, I figured it is about time I embarked upon a challenge that I have been wanting to do for many years whilst supporting a charity that is very close to my heart. I have been privileged to get a place on Team Lily for the Lily Foundation in the London Marathon 2018.
In 2013, some close friends of ours, the Kitto Family were given the devastating news that their daughter Poppy had Mitochondrial Disease. Poppy is 6 years old and an amazing little girl whose smile lights up a room and despite her condition is a ray of sunshine for anyone who meets her. Just look at the beautiful pictures on my page and you’ll see what I mean.
In nearly every cell in the body, mitochondria are responsible for producing energy (called ATP) that the cell needs to function. Cells make up tissues and organs in our bodies, for example the heart and liver. They are like power stations in our bodies, supplying the energy every cell needs to function.
If our cells do not have energy then the tissues or body organs that the cells are made up of do not work properly. In the same way if power stations do not produce enough energy there will be areas of blackout, where parts of the country cannot function.
When a person has Mitochondrial Disease the mitochondria in the cells are not producing enough energy. Sometimes they are not very efficient or they do not work at all.
Because of this disease and the faulty mitochondria in her body Poppy is unable to walk, sit unaided, has difficulty swallowing, and has lost her ability to speak. As you can imagine, all of this makes it very difficult to do even the most basic things day to day. Yet, even with all of these challenges she is determined to live life to the full and enjoy the world around her, her friends and her family.
The disease has no typical symptoms, usually has no prognosis, there are no treatments and as of yet no cure. This why research is so important so that one day there can hopefully be a cure so no more families have to endure this heartbreak.
The Lily Foundation is a small, yet wonderful charity, founded in Lily's memory, having lost her battle to Mitochondrial Disease at just eight months old. The charity aims to give hope, answers and support to the many other children and families that face the challenges of this disease today. Did you know every twenty minutes a child is born who will develop Mitochondrial Disease by the age of 16.
Each and every penny I raise will go straight to the Lily Foundation to fund this vital work.
Please stand with us and fight Mitochondrial Disease and fight for hope.
Any sponsorship is so gratefully received and will certainly keep me going through the Winter Months on my journey to London in April.
You can learn more by watching this short video
https://youtu.be/yQiBXZenEkY
and by visiting
www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk
THANK-YOU!!
xxxx
