Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 I'm running the London Marathon 2011 with "Team Muscle" to raise funds for the Myositis Support Group. I’m hoping to run 3 hours 30 mins, wish me luck! If (and it's a big 'if') I make it below this time, how about sponsoring me a little more!?

I am a Consultant Rheumatologist working in Bristol. I specialise in looking after patients with autoimmune conditions, in particular myositis. With several colleagues in the UK and US, I have spent the last few years researching these conditions especially childhood myositis.

Les and Irene Oakley started the charity in 1985 as a contact for parents of children suffering from Juvenile Dermatomyositis after their daughter Paula developed the illness at the age of five in 1983. The Support Group helps people and their families affected by Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Inclusion Body Myositis, and Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Inflammatory myositis is a disease that affects the muscles causing pain, stiffness and weakness. This disease can also affect other parts of the body including the skin and lungs. Myositis can affect anyone, from a child as young as 2 to an elderly person. Imagine having the flu, which gets worse and worse. Your muscles ache and are weak, you feel really exhausted, you develop a severe rash, you become swollen, your skin may break down and you’re short of breath. This disease is chronic and it can cause potentially devastating consequences. Patients require long-term care and medications, including forms of chemotherapy.

The Myositis Support Group promotes these rare illnesses, which the general public and even some of the medical profession know little about. The charity has been able to fund many projects and has supported myositis endeavours by national and international experts, to increase our understanding of these very difficult conditions.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed.

 

Thank you for your generous support.

 

Best wishes, Harsha.

 

doing well (Feb 3rd)....

42 miles last week.

This week so far:

12.8miles Sunday / 13.1miles - Tues (1hr 39min).
Today fastest 10k  - 43.49min.

Quick update - 26th March - 3 weeks to go...

Running going well (ignoring my left ankle, may need to see one of my Orthopaedic Friends after this).

18miles (last Sat) - 2hr 16min

10k yesterday - 41min

Big run tomorrow - 22miles, see you in London!

 

 

Must keep running  :)