I'm taking on my first half marathon to raise awareness for APS!

This year, I'll be running the Robin Hood half Marathon on the 27th of September in support of APS Support UK.

Last year together we raised an amazing £1,022 and I'm hoping we can do it again.

For those who don't know our story:

Three years ago after a hot day at the zoo, Sonia started experiencing pain and swelling in her right arm, by the next day, things had worsened when her fingers turned blue.

What followed was a difficult period, an initial misdiagnosis, discovery of a DVT (blood clot), and months of daily heparin injections at home.

As it turns out, dehydration and warm weather can increase the chances of blood clots, and we were experiencing a heat wave that weekend.

After further testing Sonia was diagnosed with APS (antiphospholipid syndrome), a rare autoimmune condition.

APS can cause blood clots in otherwise healthy individuals, often between the ages of 20 and 40, and more commonly women. It can also lead to recurrent miscarriages, sometimes without any obvious warning signs.

There are a host of other symptoms that can manifest, and you can find more about it here

It's a condition that is still not widely understood, and misdiagnosis is unfortunately common.

That's why charities like APS Support UK are so important. They provide vital support, raise awareness and help people navigate a condition that many have never heard of.

If you are able donate, share or simply support the run, it would mean a lot to us both.

Thank you,

Rich & Sonia

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.