Hello,

I am writing on behalf of my friends Debs and Mel, who are very kindly raising funds for the CJD Support Network by running the London 10k on Sunday 14 July.

1st October 2009. I am outside my Mum and stepdad's house - where I grew up. I've just found out that my Mum has been diagnosed with CJD.  Initially, I don't really know what it is or what it means, then I found out that no one survives it. I am in shock and everything is a bit hazy as I speak to my manager on the phone and tell her that I won't be in tomorrow as I've just found out that my Mum is terminally ill and only has weeks, not months or years, to live. Funny how your brain works sometimes; one of the first things that I do is tell the boss that I won't be able to make it into work tomorrow.

This was towards the end of Mum's illness - she died just over 4 weeks later - but oh, how we had already suffered. I can't even begin to describe the horror I felt that day and how horrific and devastating it was to watch my Mum deteriorate over nine months from the wonderful, loving, caring, fun person she was to someone who could not talk, walk or care for herself in any way whatsoever. She died at the age of 56.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, better known as CJD or 'mad cow' disease, is one of a group of rare brain disorders known as prion diseases. The infectious agent, or prion, attacks the brain, killing cells. In all cases, it is fatal. It is also cruel, relentless and fast-developing. There are four types of CJD; Mum died of sporadic CJD, the cause of which still remains unknown. It just randomly occurs in some people. It is quite rare; it occurs in only approximately 1 in a million people per year in the UK. This equates to roughly 50 cases a year.

The CJD Support Network is now recognised as the leading charity for all forms of CJD. They support the victims of CJD and their friends and family who are affected by the disease. They also raise awareness of CJD, promote research into it and support families in financial need through caring grants. It is vital that they are supported so that they can continue their important work and help families like us through their ordeal.

My wonderful friends, Debs and Mel, decided to raise money for the CJD Support Network by dedicating their participation in The London 10k to the charity. If you are able to, please support them and the CJD Support Network by donating. I really mean it when I say that every donation, no matter the amount, will be very gratefully received by us all - by myself, by Debs and Mel and my family.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our page.

Laura - on behalf of Debs and Mel xx

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