Story
Currently there is no cure for Crohn’s, just symptom management. We want to change that.
There is now compelling evidence that Crohn’s disease is caused by MAP bacteria - research is underway at King's College to develop a test which can identify the MAP bacteria in the tissue of Crohn’s sufferers and ultimately, create a vaccine.
To achieve this and take a step towards a cure for Crohn’s sufferers, King’s College needs to raise £300,000 to fund clinical trials.
To help raise these funds, Gaynor and I are attempting the Bob Graham - an ultra-distance fell run in the Lake District - in June 2017. Lots of training required between now and then...
First completed in 1932 by Bob Graham, hotelier of Keswick, Cumbria, the 42 summit round is now a rite of passage for ultra-distance fell runners.
The route covers 66 miles and includes 27,000ft of ascent to take in the 42 summits.
On average, only one in three that attempt the Bob Graham will complete it within the 24 hours allowed. To date, less than 2,000 runners have succeeded.
www.bobgrahamclub.org.uk
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a debilitating and aggressive form of inflammatory bowel disease which affects around 4 million people worldwide and around 250,000 people in the UK.
In addition to severe pain, weight loss, diarrhoea and chronic fatigue, around 80% of cases result in invasive surgery.
Increasingly there is compelling evidence that Crohn’s disease is caused by MAP bacteria, which is proven to cause Johne’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease in cattle.
DNA testing found MAP in 100% of tested Crohn's sufferers but until now widespread testing and vaccination has been challenging.
Professor Hermon-Taylor and King’s College are developing a MAP test which can identify the MAP bacteria in the tissue of Crohn’s sufferers which will enable a human vaccine to be created.
For more information on how the funding will be spent, visit the Crohn’s MAP vaccine website.
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