Hi, I'm Grace, and in April 2026, I’ll be running the London Marathon in support of Haemochromatosis UK — for myself, for my brother, and for the thousands of people still undiagnosed.

I was diagnosed with genetic haemochromatosis at the age of 25.

It started with symptoms of itching but no skin rash, which I convinced myself was blood cancer. I spent almost every week for nearly a year having weekly blood tests and various hospital tests, until they had exhausted all other possibilities and Haemochromatosis was mentioned as a possibility. I had a genetic test which took 3 months to come back with the results.

Once I was officially diagnosed, I wasn't sure what it would mean for me. Neither of my parents have this disorder. I was told my body was absorbing and storing too much iron — and that, without treatment, it could start to damage my liver, heart, pancreas and joints. If left too long without treatment, it could lead to cirrhosis, diabetes, heart failure — even early death.

Less than 10% of women are diagnosed at my age. It usually doesn’t get picked up until much later in life — and by then, for many, the damage is done. It’s known as a “silent” condition because the main symptoms are so easy to dismiss: tiredness, aches, brain fog. But the consequences can be serious and irreversible.

Because I was caught early, I’ve been incredibly lucky. With regular venesection treatment (which is essentially removing pints of blood), scans and a healthy lifestyle, my iron levels are stable, my liver is healthy, and I can live a completely normal life. In fact, I’ve become the healthiest version of myself — because it forced me to take my health seriously for the first time.

Recently, my younger brother was also diagnosed at 24. Haemochromatosis is genetic — and now we know it runs in our family. It can be more dangerous in men because they have no way of regulating their iron levels through periods. I’m running this marathon for the people who are still being told they’re “just tired” or “too young” to have anything wrong.

Haemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic conditions in the UK, but most people have never heard of it. There’s no routine screening. There’s little public awareness. And thousands of people are living with symptoms that are slowly damaging their bodies — without knowing why. Sufferers have had joints replaced, and been on transplant lists for new organs before being diagnosed. The treatment isn't pleasant, but it is relatively simply.

This treatment not only benefits the patient by lowering iron levels — the donated blood can often be used to help other patients in need of transfusions. So, in many cases, treatment for haemochromatosis doesn’t just improve one person’s health — it also supports the wider healthcare system by contributing to the blood supply.

It’s a rare example of a treatment that can have a dual benefit, and it highlights why early diagnosis is so important: with proper management it can be controlled, and patients can continue to contribute to life-saving efforts like blood donation.

Running a marathon is hard enough — but training with a condition that causes joint pain, fatigue, and energy crashes makes it even tougher. I’m one of the lucky ones who was diagnosed way before symptoms usually show — and I want others to have that same chance.

I’m aiming to raise £2,000 to help fund awareness campaigns, research, and support services for people who are newly diagnosed or still searching for answers.

If you’ve ever felt tired, run down, or not quite yourself — please read about this condition, particularly if you have Celtic heritage. It could change someone’s life.