Hi, my name is Annaliese Holland, a 22-year-old Adelaide girl fighting for her life. I live with an incurable disease called AAG (Autoimmune Autonomic Gangliopathy) which means my body creates antibodies that attack my nervous system. I'm unable to eat or drink because my stomach and intestines are paralysed, leaving me in debilitating pain, with lots of nausea and vomiting up to 20 times a day. 

Due to not being able to eat or absorb food I developed intestinal failure, leaving me on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) for life. I rely on being connected to an IV pole for up to 12 hours every night for nutrition and hydration, and have done this for 8 years. My AAG has caused bladder failure requiring catheters, major surgeries, Addison's Disease, severe osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of my hips leaving me with screws and rods. Additionally, I've had countless blood transfusions, blood infections, brain swelling and sepsis over 20 times, leaving me in ICU fighting for my life.

Laurel Hospice has allowed some respite (focusing on comfort and symptom control), not just for me but also my family. The peaceful garden, volunteers, pet, art and music therapies help keep you smiling (view gallery pics). Having never heard of a hospice before, I thought it was a place to die, but it's far from that. It's a place of peace, love, comfort and happiness. Sadly hospices rely heavily on donations, as people barely know what a difference they make. So donations are minimal. That's where I want to help - so everyone gets the love, support and quality of life they deserve near the end.  

This disease has robbed my young life, taking away who I am. I'll never let my disease define me because I'm more than my illness (I am Annaliese Holland!), a girl who loved to travel, exercise, study and eat lots of food. I was on my way to studying paramedics and planned to travel the world, but 8-9 years ago my life changed.

This is why I'm pushing myself to walk 3km at the City to Bay to raise funds for THRF Group Palliative Care. I'm lucky to still have the use of my legs, arms and body - there's people sicker than me or unable to walk, so I want to help others!

THRF Group Palliative Care provides funds for essential palliative care services, transformational research and education, to support patients and their families across South Australia, impacted and living with a life-limiting illness.

Just a quick note - given my initial fundraising target was reached so quickly, wanted to say a very big thank you and let's see how much more we can raise to help others!  These funds will support the expansion of much-needed palliative care services for people struggling daily with a life-limiting illness - it's an incredibly difficult and lonely time, believe me. 

Thank you so much for helping me help others and achieving my legacy!  Annaliese :)