I have decided to climb Scafell Pike on the 23rd June, this year, for The Pituitary Foundation. It is the highest peak in England and should take me around eight hours to climb so the training has definitely begun.

This time last year I was diagnosed with 'Cushing's Disease' which was a tumour that was found on my pituitary gland on the base of my brain. After having a successful operation in July 2010 I have since been told that I am 'normal' and have been recovering ever since.

I am sure that for a lot of you reading this, you probably will not know too much about this disease as it is so rare; so basically it effects all of your hormones and completely messes with your body.

 I definitely wasn't my usual self and changed in every way possible; physically and emotionally as there are many side effects to the disease. It was a really tough time for my family and I.

However, with the support from the Pituitary Foundation I was able to speak to experienced people who were able to help and guide me along the way. They made me feel like I was not on my own. I could ask them factual questions about my illness and the treatment or I could ask their advice about how to deal with the relationships around me.

They are funded purely by donations, fund raising and membership fees. I believe that without having this support service in place I would have found my illness much harder to go through.

I was only 16 when I knew that something was wrong with me but many people spend years and years being misdiagnosed because of the rare symptoms. I was really young to have Cushings' and I really want this money to go to supporting more of the young people with these rare pituitary conditions. Please please please.... any money will do ... come on students.... even a £1!!!

Thank you so much!!! Every penny counts! 

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