Rachel's page
Rachel Cowell is raising money for AngelmanUK (previously ASSERT)
Participants: Andrew Stephenson
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I've never believed in myself that I could run this event, or this distance and used to go running at 11pm so that people wouldn't see my attempt at running! But now after many years of running 4-5 mile runs and thinking "can I do it?", I have decided to give the Great North Run a go to raise awareness and help fund further research in Angelman Syndrome.
My niece Hannah was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome (AS) in 2018. From a young age we realised Hannah had some form of special educational needs. After countless hospital, consultant and specialist appointments, we finally received a diagnosis in 2018 when Hannah was just turning 11, through genetic testing carried out by the Centre for Life, a science centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
AS is not a well-known syndrome and unfortunately does not seem to get the publicity and awareness that other syndromes and charities are lucky enough to achieve. It is an extremely rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and intellectual disability. It is caused when the Angelman gene, known as chromosome 15, is either absent or malfunctions.
Angelman UK charity is for those affected by the condition. A diagnosis of AS will have life changing consequences and they are there to help families cope. They advise medical and care professionals dealing with the condition and also bring Angelman families together to form support networks.
I would really appreciate you sponsoring me to help families and professionals understand Angelman Syndrome and how to care and support our Angels.
Thanks
Rach x