The Cause

I never thought I would run a half marathon. Ever. Let alone with my mom! The Pituitary Foundation and the London Landmarks Half Marathon provided an irresistible combination.

The Pituitary Foundation helps people, like me, with invisible, incurable pituitary conditions find the resources, community, and strength they need to tackle each and every day. I have benefited from this Foundation and would love to support their mission. 

The London Landmarks Half Marathon traipses 13.1 miles around many of the famous sights of London with music stands, dance breaks, and more on the route. Check out the route in the images above! It provides the perfect challenge, in a fun package.

My parents and family have been alongside me through every step of my journey in life and with hypopituitarism. I am honored and thrilled to run alongside my mom in the May 2021 event and hear Dad’s notorious cheers from the stands.

I know this year has been rough for all of us, so if you are able, I humbly ask for your donation to support the Pituitary Foundation and their work. Any amount helps. JustGiving donates the money directly to the charity. JustGiving will never share your details or send unwanted emails. If you are US based and would prefer to Venmo me, please message me and I will make the donation on your behalf.

THANK YOU!

The Goals and Rewards

To add some fun incentives, for each bench mark we reach, I will do the following for race day. As a note the Pituitary Foundation's color is orange!

£ 100 - Paint my nails orange

£ 200 - Deck my shoes out with orange

£ 300 - Run in orange leggings

£ 400 - Run in an orange tutu

My Pituitary Journey (the short edition)

In case you’re wondering about my condition. Here’s the short version. In 2008 after migraines and losing 80-95% of my vision in both eyes, we discovered I had a pituitary adenoma resting on my optic nerve. Thankfully Hawai’i had the perfect team to help. Dr Michon Morita and Dr Kristi Adachi removed a large portion of the tumor on what would have been my first day of High School. Remarkably, they fully restored my vision as well.

The tumor had significantly impacted my pituitary gland, sparking a life long journey living with hypopituitarism. Modern medicine helps me live a ‘normal’ life. Each day brings new adventures as I learn to live with and grow older with this condition.

My mom and I discovered the Pituitary Foundation in 2018 before I moved to the UK to begin my Master’s degree. The wealth of resources, support, guidance, and kindness this foundation freely provides to its patients and families impressed us. I have since attended their annual conference and benefited from many of their resources. I wish I had known about this resource, or had a US equivalent, when I was first diagnosed!

Despite the complications hypopituitarism brings to my world, it’s brought significant gifts as well. It has taught me how to listen to my body and understand how I can help it function best. I am incredibly fortunate to have family, friends, and an international team of professionals caring for me and supporting me. Without them, this condition would feel more like burden than a gift. Thank you for all of your time, patience, and love.

Thank you, reader, for your time and if you are able to, your thoughtful donation.

Best wishes,

Makanani

P.S. Feeling inspired to run with me? Here's the link to get involved!

https://www.pituitary.org.uk/catalog/fundraising-events/london-landmarks-2021/c-23/c-97/p-411