Saffron's fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis Trust (MS Trust)
Saffron Newnham is raising money for Multiple Sclerosis Trust (MS Trust)
In memory of Joyce Farrow (Nan)
Story
I’m running my first half marathon in memory of my Nan, with the intention to raise money for the MS Trust, to help provide vital support for those living with Multiple Sclerosis.
In the UK, around 135 people are diagnosed with MS each week—that’s roughly one person every two hours.
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is a lifelong condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include vision problems, difficulty moving, balance issues, and changes in sensation. It’s currently incurable, but can be made much more manageable through medications.
The cause of MS is still unknown, but its found that women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than men.
My Nanny Joyce was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in the late 1970s, although she had experienced symptoms for years before. The doctors also withheld her diagnosis from her approximately 5 years as at the time it was believed that knowing would worsen the condition.
She lived with the condition for over 30 years, until she passed away in 2006 when I was just five years old.
While MS itself is "rarely fatal," complications from the disease—such as chest and bladder infections, or difficulties with swallowing—can be life-threatening. These complications ultimately meant I was too young to really know my nan despite seeing her everyday after school when my mum took over from her nurse.
When my nan was diagnosed, little was known about MS. But in the past two decades, there have been major advancements in treatment, improving the quality of life for many people living with the condition. There has also been a narrowing of the life expectancy gap between people with MS and the general population.
By raising money for the MS Trust, I hope to support their work in providing care and guidance for people with MS so that those diagnosed now, and in the future, can benefit from the improved treatments and support that are available today.
I’m running this half marathon in memory of my nan, so that her journey, filled with uncertainty and challenges, can potentially help others walking similar paths.
Thanks for reading, any donations or support would mean alot :)