I was seeking a challenge and I was struck by the legacy of Josh Fletchers short life. Josh sadly passed away in October 2020 after overcoming DBA.

In May/June myself and a few others, will be taking on the Mourne Mountains in order to raise money and awareness for the Diamond Blackfan Anaemia Association. 

The challenge we are pursuing is the Denis Rankin Round. The Denis Rankin Round is a circuit of all the peaks in the Mourne mountains over 400m in height, covering 90km and 6500m in ascent. The challenge is to complete this within a 24-hour period

I am doing this in aid of DBA UK (Diamond Blackfan Anaemia). Josh Fletcher, my colleague’s nephew, was tragically killed in a car crash in October, aged 18. Josh was diagnosed with DBA in 2002 at 6 weeks old, and since then Josh and his family received vital support from DBA UK. Josh and his family were a part of the DBA charity for many years.

DBA is a rare blood condition, where red blood cells, which are necessary to transport oxygen around the body are not produced. Most patients are diagnosed before the age of 2, and require extensive treatment, ranging from regular blood transfusions, to bone marrow transplants. The condition is extremely rare, affecting approximately 125 people in the UK, and only 600-700 world-wide.

DBA UK aims to provide support, research and hope to families by bringing patients and their families together, sharing the latest medical information and funding research into treatments.

Sometimes we take life for granted and fail to appreciate others that are less fortunate. I hope to raise awareness and funds to support the families of people affected by DBA