I am taking on the challenge to run the London Marathon for the British Heart Foundation, a charity which holds a very special place in our families hearts. My 18 year old brother Calum is the reason why I am running the marathon. Calum was born with a congenital heart defect called Truncus arteriosus, which is where the main arteries didn’t develop properly, meaning he had to have an artificial tube inserted to act as his pulmonary artery. Unfortnately this artificial tube does not grow with the rest of his body meaning he has had to undergo 5 open heart surgerys and multiple key hole procedures and is needing to have his 6th open heart surgery during my training period early next year. These operations are risky, with Calum’s last key hole procedure ending in emegency open heart surgery, where he also suffered a stroke loosing the ability to use his arms and affecting his cognitive function.

The research of the British Heart Foundation is funding Calums surgeon, Masamo Capoto’s research into the use of stem cells. Stem cells can be used to grow a natural tube instead of having to use an artifical one. This would mean children like Calum would have to undergo less surgeries as the stem cell tube would grow with the rest of the body and would not have to be replaced.

Calum is a huge inspiration to me and everyone around him. Seeing him fight for his life, and go through such awful things at such a young age and still have such a positive outlook on life is truly inspiring. Yes, training for this marathon will be a huge challenge physically and mentally for me, but it doesn’t compare to the challenges Calum has had to face. I hope to have half of the grit and determination my younger brother has shown.

The fight for Calum is not over, as he faces another big operation in the coming months. Please donate to the British Heart Foundation to help support life-saving research to help other children born with congenital heart defects like Calum.