Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m running the London Landmarks half marathon to raise money to improve care and support for people and their families affected with PTEN Hamartoma Tumour syndrome. 

I’m a Clinical Genetics doctor and I diagnose and care for families with rare genetic conditions. As a registrar I did my research project about this condition and have continued to have a special interest in it ever since.  I am the medical trustee for the PTEN UKI charity, which was established in 2017. Since then, our website, social media and patient days have provided information and valuable peer support. This is done by a team of volunteers; most of them people with PHTS or with a child or other family member with the condition. 

PHTS can affect people in many different ways and  can vary considerably in severity.  In children it can cause developmental delay, and autism. It is also a cancer predisposition gene, meaning that people with PHTS are prone to  developing certain types of cancer,  in particular breast and thyroid cancer. People with the condition may have problems affecting their skin including unusual pigmentation and wart-like lesions. Some people have overgrowth of blood vessels (arterio-venous malformations), which can be painful and disfiguring. 

The website is https://ptenuki.org

I’m running because without more money we can’t increase the support we offer to families. Our ambition is to have a team of care co-ordinators (just one would be a good start) to offer specialist care and understanding to patients and their families. 

And about the running; I was never any good at sport, so please don’t expect me to win! It will be a big achievement for me to do this.

I know times are hard for people right now. Any amount you can give, will help us towards this goal and boost my determination and motivation to keep training through the dark winter months. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

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.