Erica and Leena get running for the Pituitary Foundation - London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026

In April 2026, myself and good friend Leena are running the London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising money for the Pituitary Foundation - an organisation that's been a constant source of support throughout my own and many others' journeys with Cushing's Disease and other pituitary-related illnesses.

I've a long personal connection with this organisation and the support they give.

I was first diagnosed with Cushing's Disease in 2006 (after several misdiagnoses and increasing illness), having my first pituitary surgery in 2007 in Glasgow. After this, I was living with Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. In 2022, I had confirmation that the disease had returned and underwent second pituitary surgery in August 2023 at Oxford , I'm in remission again and again, living with secondary adrenal insufficiency - a potentially lifelong condition that requires careful daily management.

Cushing's Disease is a rare illness caused by a pituitary tumour that produces excess ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to release too much cortisol. It affects everything - your body, your mind, your sense of self. The physical symptoms are challenging (muscle weakness, aches and pains, unexplained weight gain, skin changes, hair loss, insomnia, fatigure, headaches), but also the psychological and emotional (anxiety, brain fog, extreme mood changes, low mood/ depression) are just a few. Navigating a rare disease can also be an incredibly lonely and frightening experience. You're often explaining your condition to doctors who've never seen it before, trying to advocate for yourself when you barely understand what's happening with limited information or resources, experts around.

Why the Pituitary Foundation matters

For nearly 20 years, the Pituitary Foundation has been there for me and others (they've recently celebrated their 30-year anniversary). Their resources have helped me and others understand what was happening to body and mind. Their Endocrine Nurse helpline - which, was initially staffed by my original endocrine nurse from Aberdeen - provided expert guidance when I needed it most. More recently, their psychological support in collaboration with Rareminds has been invaluable in processing the trauma of serious illness and living with a chronic, rare condition.

One of the most powerful moments was attending the first Cushing's conference they organised in 2024. Meeting others in real life, sharing stories and tears with people who truly understood - that sense of community is irreplaceable.

I've also been a volunteer editor for the London Area Pituitary Support Group for over 10 years.

I've come to deeply appreciate what good support looks like: accessible information, expert guidance, genuine community, and recognition that rare disease affects your whole life, not just your body or what people see or know from other, more common diseases.

The challenge

I've got to admit I'm a little nervous in training for a half-marathon while managing adrenal insufficiency. We've previously only run 10km races before. I'm also still building my fitness levels and confidence back. But, having a focus, a goal, and running with a friend and other Pituitary Foundation runners, feels like the right way to mark this stage of recovery and to give back to the organisation that's supported me through it all.

Where your donation goes

Your support will help the Pituitary Foundation continue its vital work:

• Maintaining the Endocrine Nurse helpline that provides expert guidance to people navigating pituitary conditions

• Organising specialist conferences that bring together patients, families, and healthcare professionals

• Continuing their collaboration with Rareminds to provide further psychological support for people living with rare diseases

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure that others facing pituitary conditions won't have to navigate this journey alone.

Thank you for your support.

Erica & Leena

P.s. We hope to keep you updated with training updates! And any advice happily received.

I'm also always happy to chat, share more on Pituitary conditions with those, or friends and family that may be having to navigate similar.