Tim, Jo, Joseph and Jessica are training hard for the London Marathon on 23 April 2017 to raise lots of money for Cardiomyopathy UK.  This is a mammoth task for the team not least because fitting in training around busy lives is a challenge.  For Jessica, it's an additional challenge because the marathon is on her birthday! 

Cardiomyopathy UK saves lives and reduces the misery caused by the heart muscle disease cardiomyopathy.  Their goal is for people affected by the disorder to live long and fulfilling lives and they work to achieve this by raising awareness of the condition, improving access to quality treatment, promoting clinical research and supporting anyone affected by cardiomyopathy every step of the way.  Their small team of staff and volunteers includes clinical experts, people with first-hand experience of the condition and charity professionals.  And they have a massive job to do: cardiomyopathy affects over one in 500 people but with the right support, they will succeed.

Cardiomyopathy UK is 2017's Charity of the Year for Mayer Brown's London office.  Four year old Rosie was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy in 2015, meaning that her heart struggled to pump blood properly around her body. Her Mum Sara Day (an HR Manager in Mayer Brown's London office) contacted Cardiomyopathy UK for help and they were able to provide her with the latest information and advice to help Rosie get the treatment she needs. Rosie spent eight months in London's Great Ormond Street Hospital awaiting a new heart.
 
The wonderful gift of a heart was donated by a hugely courageous family who during their own incredible loss thought of others. Rosie received her new heart in July 2016 . While her transplant went well, during the long wait for a new heart Rosie suffered several bleeds to her brain and a number of strokes; she now has severe neurological problems.

Rosie is now at home and, through physio and occupational therapy sessions, working towards strengthening her core and trunk and finding ways for her to communicate as she has not been able to do so orally for many months.  She's even learning to drive a powered mobility wheelchair, which will help her to have much more independence in the future.  She's loving being home and her family are loving having her there.

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.