Hello everyone! Well, I can’t say I’m completely in my comfort zone here, firstly I’m going to be running 26 miles(!), secondly, because I’m having to share some vulnerability which isn’t something I’m particularly comfortable with but here we go! 

So as you’ve probably gathered, on the 23rd April 2023, I’ll be running the London Marathon in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, and here is my story!  My father was diagnosed with a chronic condition called Ulcerative Colitis(UC) in the late 90s. UC is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), where the immune system starts attacking the lining of the gut. This causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum (the large bowel).in which areas of the gut become swollen, inflamed, and ulcerated. This can cause diarrhea, blood when passing stools, extreme stomach cramps, weight loss, joint pain, dry sore skin, sight issues, back pain, and a hell of a lot of fatigue. I saw my father go through years of pain and multiple hospitalizations, and major operations which eventually resulted in him having a permanent stoma fitted. Life really hasnt been easy for him, my father was always a fit, active and fiercely independant man, the provider of the family who all of a sudden could no longer work due to being so poorly. It was very difficult for My mum and siblings and me to watch.

At the age of 21 I became seriously ill with bad stomach pains, I was unable to eat properly and lost over 2 stone in weight within a month and it had gotten to the point where I was opening my bowels around 30 times a day. Doctors initially thought I had IBS or food poisoning then due to my rapid weight loss and inflammation markers being through the roof I was sent straight to the hospital where after 3 weeks of tests, tears, and IV steroids I found that I too had UC. It was a huge shock to me and something I didn't quite want to believe was true at the time, being so young and carefree to being extremely ill in such a short space of time really hit hard, I also lost my job due to long periods of absence as I was too embarrassed to tell people about what was going on. 

15 years later, 3 more long-term hospitalizations, periods of remission, relapses, daily drugs, more steroids, and a hell of a lot of anxiety and embarrassment I’m still here and managing to avoid surgery for now. I am at peace with the fact I have a chronic condition and try to not let it take over my life but I do often become extremely secluded and anxious and won't leave the house when I am in a flare. Whilst I might seem normal to others, I quite often find it hard to get out of bed due to extreme pain.

There are now so many more treatments available for me and the other 500,000 Crohn’s and UC sufferers in the UK, but we need more funding to try to find a cure for this disease! Any donations you could give no matter how big or small are fully appreciated  ❤️

I’m running this marathon for C&CUK, my Dad Luciano Donadio who has suffered way longer and much worse than I have, and in loving memory of my wonderful late mother Anita Donadio who I know would be my biggest supporter if she were here, Louise Furneaux who inspired me to do this, Trevor McCallum, John Dunne, Teresa Torlasco and Sean Harder xxxxx