My name is Sam Lewis and I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT).  

The Lewis family are taking part in the British 10K London Run on 8 July 2012 to raise funds for the UK’s national CMT charity, CMT United Kingdom.

What is CMT?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common hereditary neuropathy in the world, and affects approximately 23,000 people in the UK.  It is named after the three doctors who discovered it and is a condition that affects the nerves in your legs and arms, known as the peripheral nerves.

CMT has affected my life in a big way; I have limited mobility as well as chronic pain and tiredness.  I wear leg braces and use a walking stick.   Despite this, I live a happy life and much of this is thanks for the ongoing support provided by the charity CMT United Kingdom.

Find more info about CMT and how it affects ME on my website: www.charcotmarietooth.webs.com

Visit CMT United Kingdom's website: www.cmt.org.uk

In brief, this is CMT:

·         Affects people very differently, even within the same family

·         Slowly gets worse over time (is progressive), causing deterioration of both the motor nerves and the sensory nerves leading to the atrophying (wasting) of the muscles in the foot, lower leg, hand and forearm

·         Causes various symptoms including foot drop walking gait, foot bone abnormalities (including high arches and hammer toes), problems with hand function and dexterity, balance problems, occasional cramping in the legs and arms and loss of some normal reflexes

·         May cause long term pain and chronic tiredness (fatigue)

·         Is not life threatening

·         Is thought to affect approximately 23,000 people in the UK

What are we doing?

The British 10K London Run on 8 July 2012!

... well when I say “we” I actually mean my partner Claire, my sister Heather, my brother Tom and his partner Teresa. 

I will be cheering them on from the sidelines of course though!

Please support me by helping my family raise much needed funds for CMT United Kingdom.

Donating with JustGiving

Sponsoring me 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 sponsor me, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.  So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You can also sponsor me by text- text CMTK60 £1 (or your chosen amount!) to 70070

So please dig deep and sponsor us.