Scarred for life or maybe with 2 permanent tattoos! The tattoos I cannot remove and even if I could, I would not. The scars that remind me every single day I AM ALIVE. 

One big thick scar, covered by another thinner scar, right in the middle of my chest. They remind me every day of the two battles I have won in my life. They remind me every day of  how lucky I am. They remind me every day that life is a precious gift that I should treasure. They remind me that I've got one life, LIVE IT and LOVE IT!

Because thanks to science I now happily live with an artificial pulmonary valve, a small little valve that regulates the blood flow from the heart to the lungs. I say I was born "funny" as that valve never worked very well for me. And because of this funny valve I am who I am, a fighter, a stubborn, determined girl, who has been through lots of pain but never gives up. 

And I hope to be able to help people like me by running 2017 Brighton Marathon for the Somerville Foundation. They works with patients born with a heart condition, providing practical and emotional support, and enabling them to take control of their lives and manage their own heart condition. Thanks to advancements in medical treatment, today more and more people born with heart conditions are living long, full and happy lives.

Living with a heart condition is not easy, you always worry about the "what if.." because you have had bad days, you have been scared and scarred, because you do not know if you will have to lie on that operating table again...BUT you should be proud of who you are, that you are alive and you are a fighter!

So now that you have visited my page (and thank you for this) please help us. At Brighton I will be wearing the Somerville Foundation Shirt with pride attempting to break my previous marathon PB (4hour:37minute) aiming for 4h:30'!

Thank you with all my heart (yes I really mean it!!)

Anna

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