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Two years ago my life changed when I lost my gangan suddenly.  I didn't know she had sarcoidosis, in fact I didn't even know what sarcoidosis was.  All I knew was that it took away one of my best friends.  I've always been been very close to my gangan and would always sleep over or be out with her.  She never let me know how badly she suffered with it.  How tired and in pain she was always in.  She was always such a strong lady. 

My gangan was always so proud of me and when my mum finially agreed that I could start karate it was my gangan and dad that took me to my first lesson.  She was there at my first grading for my red and white belt.  She told me she was so proud of me and knew that I could do it.  I was so pleased!  She said she knew I would make a black belt someday and couldn't wait to see it.  Unfortuantely she never saw me grade again as the week before I went for my red belt she collapsed and was rushed into hospital.  She died on the 10th March  and never gave up.  I'm so proud to be her grandaughter but it has taken me a long time to get to where I am with how I feel.  My mum told me about Sarcoidosis, that there is no known cause, anybody can have it and it can affect any part of the body, it can hide and pretend to be other illnesses so the doctors can't really tell without lots and lots of tests.  By the time they had discovered that my gangan had sarcoidosis it had spread and affected her lungs, eyes, heart, liver,bowel, stomach, skin and kidneys  But the most important issue is at the moment,  there is NO KNOWN CURE!!!!  

To help raise awareness of Sarcoidosis and the charity SILA that are currently searching for a cure and supporting sarcoidosis sufferers, I have organised a Kickathon.  It is being held on the 17th July 2016 at the Hayling community centre.  My karate club (Island Karate)  has helped get behind me on this by helping me organise the competitions and with donations.  With the help of my family, my club and the Hayling community I hope to raise money to help find a cure and make more people aware.  Thank you for reading my story and supporting and donating to this charity that means so much to me.