10 year old Lily has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Her symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, itching and burning skin, rashes, fevers, fatigue, headaches, and throat swelling. They are triggered by many every day things including foods, medications, emotions and body care products. She previously had a limited diet of just 9 foods!!

Every aspect of Lily's life has to be thought through and planned, from food to potential triggers everywhere she goes - passing someone with strong perfume, the presence of chemicals in shop aisles, even cooling down or heating up too quickly can all make her really unwell.

Lily is lucky in having a diagnosis and access to vital medications which help to stabilise the condition. Many suspected MCAS patients suffer a wide range of symptoms with no proper diagnosis, and struggle to be believed or to get treatment.

Mast Cell Action has been set up to fill the vacuum of support for sufferers, pushing for awareness, diagnosis and treatment of MCAS. At this stage of Mast Cell Actions development, our only funding comes from activities undertaken by our members.

Historically we have run an annual fundraiser: 500 Legs Walking, during which supporters (along with other silly legs) undertake sponsored walks for the charity.

This year we are asking supporters to organise your own event interpreting the 500 legs idea for the lockdown environment. It could of course still be walks or jogs if you're up for it in family groups. However can we issue a friendly challenge to come up with creative ideas for lockdown, that would be worth a bit of sponsorship from friends and family?! 

Could your 500 legs event be 500 bounces on a trampoline, 500 climbs of the stairs, 500 circuits of the patio or maybe 50 minutes on an exercise bike? In previous years weve always had some interesting legs walking for us: dogs, alpacas, inflatable octopuses, spider costumes etc-for fun and the publicity. All such interesting legs very much welcome this year: carry your cat (for 4 more legs), dance with your dog, exercises with your iguana, gallop round the garden with your guinea pig?!

Whatever your legs are doing, please share your photos and videos with us - but obviously respect social distancing and Government advice regarding Covid 19.There are many people like Lily living in the MCAS community who are desperate for support. We believe awareness, diagnosis and treatment of MCAS can be dramatically improved but we can only achieve this with your help.