HEAD SHAVE DATE 16/05/26

This year I was officially diagnosed with Doyne’s honeycomb retinal dystrophy. It’s something I’ve always known I might have, it runs in my family, affecting my mum, my aunts, and my grandad, but hearing it confirmed and hearing that it is active at 27 has still been a lot to take in.

I’m currently in my third year of vet school, working towards a career I’ve dreamed about for years. This diagnosis doesn’t change that, but it does mean I’m now facing an uncertain future when it comes to my vision.

Doyne’s is a rare inherited condition that affects the macula, the part of your eye responsible for central vision, and over time it can lead to significant sight loss. Right now, there’s no cure.

That’s why I want to do something positive with this. I’m raising money for the Macular Society to support research into treatments and, hopefully one day, a cure not just for me, but for my family and others living with macular conditions.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how small, it would honestly mean so much. And if you can’t, sharing this page would be just as appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you can give, video of the big shave will be posted on my socials @Raia_charis on insta and Raia Apelatou on Facebook 💛💛