We have already run several half-marathons and other fundraisers to support this cause. This year, we are signed up to the Derby Ramathon Half-Marathon, and this is a particularly hard and emotional challenge as it will be my first run post baby! A Half-Marathon has never come easy to me before, but this is the toughest time I have ever had during training. Pregnancy changes the body a lot more than I thought.. so I have to put even more effort into it this time around.

Why Crohn’s?

Crohn’s affects an estimated 4 million people worldwide, including 1.2 million in the USA and around 250,000 in the UK. Recent reports show numbers are increasing, especially in children. Although it is widely spread, there is relatively little knowledge and awareness of this disease. I feel very strongly about this because people close to me are struggling with the disease, and I have seen first hand how urgently a cure for Crohn’s is needed.

What is Crohn’s?

Crohn’s disease is an aggressive and chronic form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, severely impacting the life of those affected. The cause of the disease is not understood and there is presently no cure. Treatments are aimed to suppressing the immune system, often with unwanted side effects and rarely successful in the long term. Major surgery is often inevitable, in some cases repeatedly.

Where do the funds go?

Based on the research from the Kings College London, there is strong evidence that a bacteria called Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) is one of the causes for Crohn's disease. A vaccine against MAP has been developed and is already in phase 1 clinical trials.

This campaign has already raised well over £600k and the Kings College London needs to raise a further £115k. These funds will be used to maintain the lab which will monitor MAP levels in trial participants during pase 2 clinical trials, using the newly developed MAP diagnostic test. The funds we are raising are going directly to the research group of the Kings College London.

For more details on the study and the vaccine look here:

www.crohnsmapvaccine.com