This is what my big sister wrote "I am not what you would call a natural runner or even an enthusiastic one at that, but after experiencing a crazy moment have enrolled myself to run the London Marathon on 17th April 2011 with all monies raised through my kind sponsors going to VHL charity. Although I myself do not have the gene both my dad and younger sister have (as did my younger brother who very sadly passed away nearly 15 years ago aged 22) so have experienced first hand the physical, emotional & psychological effects it has on those who have the condition and those who love them but don't.
Even though I feel like I have lived my whole life with the presence of VHL, I still feel I do not fully understand the condition and the implications it has for my family - after every check-up or series of tests it seems something new has been found or appeared. You come across very few people who have actually heard of the condition let alone know what it means for someone suffering with it - whilst training for this marathon I have re-trained and qualified as a Emergency Medical Technician and even talking to paramedics/nurses etc who have worked for years in this field are stumped when I talk about VHL!
Nothing I can do can take away my dad and sisters pain/frustrations/worries nor those of my mum/brother in law to be/children/grandchildren or myself but I am hoping that when I cross that finish line on 17th April after 26.2 miles the money I will have raised as well as the awareness of VHL will go some way to funding more research into this devastating condition"
Friday, February 25, 2011
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