Dearest Family, Friends, Friends of Family, Family of Friends, Colleagues, Acquaintances, my Landlord, and all visitors to my page.

This April I will be running the London Marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, to thank them for all the research they have helped fund in relation to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, also known as 'HOCM'.

HOCM is a genetic condition that causes the heart muscle walls to become thickened and stiff and affects approximately 1 in 500 people, including around half my family. People with HOCM often present no symptoms however, those who live with symptoms, such as an abnormal heart rhythm, carry the risk of heart failure. This makes diagnoses both difficult and extremely critical. Thanks to BHF funded research the genes responsible for HOCM have been identified and genetic testing made available enabling families, like mine, to receive testing, monitoring, and treatment for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

I hope that my hearty description of the BHF, personal connection to the cause, and terrible use of puns, has inspired you to open up your hearts (and maybe even your wallets). I would be incredibly grateful for donations of any size but even moral support would go a long way. My Strava is 'Lizzie Bentham' if you would like to follow the journey.

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank you.