Hi everyone

I hope this finds you well. 

Ok, 15 years ago in April, I was feeling pretty dire. But being a typical African woman from the North of the South, I pretended there was nothing up, until I felt so awful that I decided to see my GP. Thank God I did, because she forced me to go to hospital, and after what seemed like millions of needles, I was diagnosed with Thrombocytopenic Pupura, which is not a nice blood disorder, and its very rare. At my time of diagnosis 2 in a million people got it. Now it is about 4 per million. 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was bluelighted to St Thomas's hospital from Lewisham, and told that I wouldn't last the weekend. I did, and with the help of an amazing NHS staff team, I'm still here winding people up. There is still more trouble to cause. #sorrynotsorry

So since then, I've been trying to do my bit to raise awareness, including running my mouth in various forums, and a bit of fundraising. This time it is for AOFAC Foundation, in memory of Antonia Afulemo, who sadly passed on from TTP. AOFAC Foundation, raises awareness around TTP., given the rarity of the disease. 

So, in light of all the above, I am going to run from Lewisham to Guys and St Thomas's, since these are the two places I wad diagnosed and treated at. Now, I am fully inspired by Faujah Singh - the 109 year old who ran marathons till he was 101. I'm a lot slower than he was, but we move. I will make it.

To quote a line from my favourite gangster movie, The Long Food Friday: 'bung us a few quid'! Thank you! Oh and when you do, don't forget some important things -1) let me know who you are so I can thank you personally,  2) add the hashtags #STMB (I can explain this one elsewhere, but its positivity) and #AOFAC foundation

Gracias people! 

Louise