In 2009, my sister Jenny was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) after several years of misdiagnosis and missed opportunities for treatment.

Thankfully for Jenny, and for the whole family, the amazing surgeons at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire were able to operate in February 2010 and she now lives a happy, healthy life.

Sadly, this isn't the case for many PH sufferers. The condition isn't well known and many of those who show symptoms of PH, like Jenny, don't receive the correct diagnosis or treatment - again, like Jenny.

An early diagnosis can make a huge amount of difference in the standard of living and life expectancy of the PH sufferer, that's why the work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA UK) is so incredibly important.

PHA UK is the only charity in the UK dedicated to people with this rare disease. Set up in 2000, PHA UK has grown to a membership of over 3,500. The PH community is like no other – a unique group of people committed to supporting each other and raising awareness of this serious condition in the hope of one day finding a cure.

So, I'm running the London Marathon 2018 to raise awareness of this serious, potentially life-threatening condition, and to help PHA UK in their quest to find a cure.

Any donations, no matter how small or large, will mean an incredible amount not only to me, but to my family, PHA UK and to PH sufferers all over the UK and the world.

Wish me luck!

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