Story
Hello,
For those of you who don't know me, my name is James. I'm 33 years old. I have a younger brother and two younger sisters, all of whom I love dearly.
Just over 2 years ago, on New Year’s Eve 2005, my bigger little sister, Mattie, celebrated her 19th birthday. Less than 4 weeks later, on 26th January 2006, she died of cerebral malaria.
Mattie had been to Africa to spend Christmas with her father and, like most ex pats, did not to take malaria tablets, but relied on them as a cure rather than a prevention. When the malaria took its hold, Mattie's friends contacted NHS Direct and the out of hours doctor service - neither asked the right questions or identified the symptoms. She was taken to her local GP but was diagnosed with the flu and told to get some rest, she died less than 3 days later. Had she been correctly diagnosed she could have been saved by being given some malarial tablets.
There is so much about this that makes me angry. There are so many questions... Why didn't she take the drugs? Why wasn't she correctly diagnosed?
But the real question - and the thing that should make us all angry - is this: why haven't we eradicated this terrible disease? Why, when we possess the knowledge and the power to wipe malaria from the face of the earth, do governments sit back and do nothing?
Thankfully, most of the 2,000 UK citizens who come back from holiday with malaria each year are successfully diagnosed and make a 'full' recovery. They are the lucky ones. Each year 2.7 million people across the globe die from this easily curable disease.
The Malaria Consortium exists to combat malaria at the frontline of the battlefield in Africa and Asia. It provides drugs, treatment centers, mosquito nets for pregnant women and lobbies the governments of the Western world to put every effort behind eradicating malaria once and for all.
So here's the thing... World Malaria Day is on the 25th April. On the 27th April, I'm running the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford. The money that I raise will go to the Malaria Consortium. My hope is that, with your help, I can raise a bit of money to help this charity fight malaria at the frontline.
I have never run a marathon before. For me this is a massive challenge that I would never have been able to even consider if it wasn't for the support of my family and the memory of my lovely Mattie.
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please give generously and help us fight this terrible disease.
If you want any further information on Mattie, malaria or the work of the Malaria Consortium, please have a look at following links:
http://www.malariaconsortium.org/
http://www.national-student.co.uk/national_news/StoryStudentwhothoughtshewasimmunediesfrommalaria.htm
http://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/
http://www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk/
**************** UPDATE ****************
Well, it took...
26.2 miles,
4 hours 20 minutes,
39252 steps,
too much sun
and not enough water...
but I made it to the end, and in more or less one piece!
Thank you to everyone who supported me in this and to all my sponsors!
I am truly overwhelmed by the incredible generosity that people have shown towards this cause and to Mattie’s memory.
Thank you all so much, I’m lost for words.
*************** UPDATE 2009 ****************
OK, look. I know it's short notice, but I'm running the Hinckley Half Marathon on 10th May.
For some of you this will be the first time I've bullied you into visiting my fundraising page, in which case welcome and thank you. For those of you who've been here before, welcome back and thank you!
Right then, pay attention:
You know that malaria thing that made you cry on comic relief this year? Well it's been around for quite a while now, it's still here and no, it isn't going to go away without a fight.
So, come on, I know there's a recession and everyone's a little short on cash at the moment, but I'm not asking for much. As someone once said... "Every little helps!"
So get your cards out, make a donation and don't forget to gift aid it!
Thank you so much,
James
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Malaria Consortium will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.