Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page… I cannot believe I’ll be taking part in the LONDON MARATHON!

As many of you know my sister was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in December 2012. We knew little about what it was and it took a long time for her official diagnosis to come through- it seemed Doctors were not that familiar either. Sadly, the funding was not there for support, advice or research into treatment options.

My sister had life changing surgery and overnight became the strongest person in our family. She has kicked Colitis’ arse! However, Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition. This means that it is ongoing and lifelong, although you may have long periods of good health known as remission, as well relapses or flare-ups when your symptoms are more active.

Kate is one of the lucky ones, although living with Ulcerative colitis she now (after a long fight) has a beautiful son. However, this happy ending isn’t the same for everyone and we really need to do more to help patients, their families and the professionals trying to treat them and improve their lives.

It’s estimated that UC affects about one in every 420 people in the UK (roughly 146,000 people). It can start at any age, though it often appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25. It affects men and women. I wonder if you know someone affected?

Although there has been a lot of research, we still don’t really know what causes Ulcerative Colitis. However, advances have been made in recent years, particularly in genetics.

At the moment there is no cure for Ulcerative Colitis, but drugs, and sometimes surgery, can give long periods of relief from symptoms. Research, including work funded by Crohn’s and Colitis UK, is continuing into new treatments to improve patients’ quality of life and eventually find a cure.

So please sponsor me- in the hope that one day we can find a cure and stop others having to feel the pain Colitis causes!

Thanks,

Laura

Crohn's & Colitis UK are the UK's leading charity for Crohn's and Colitis. Right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of.

I am taking part in the 2025 TCS London Marathon to support Crohn's & Colitis UK, and your donation can help Crohn's & Colitis UK's mission to improve diagnosis and treatment; to fund research and raise awareness.