"On the evening of 8 June 2012, I was out for my boyfriend’s birthday- dancing and drinking and having the time of my life. The next morning I woke up, and couldn’t balance when I stood up. Over the next 3 weeks my balance worsened and one morning I awoke- covered in sweat and the whole world spinning. Scared, confused and alone, I clung on to my bed and waited for my boyfriend to come home- I had no idea what was going on. I was rushed to hospital immediately where I received a CT & MRI scan, a Lumbar puncture (aka a Spinal Tap), other tests, then put on a steroid drip for 10 days. I also received the unconfirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis- this would be confirmed to me after yet another relapse which also affected my vision, on 12 August. I was 22.

For a long time my diagnosis felt like a bad dream, it had all happened so fast and sudden that I just couldn’t process what had happened to me- no one in my family has MS and I still don’t know what caused me to develop the condition. With the support of my wonderful family and the MS Society UK my vision and my walking returned to normal (although I do have wobbly days) and I went back to work full time only 4 months after it all started.

MS is an auto-immune condition where my White Blood Cells no longer recognise my brain as being harmless and so attacks the protective coating to my nerves. This is called a relapse. Having a relapse could result in me losing the ability to walk, see, balance- everyone with MS is different. I am fortunate to be on incredible medication, which I receive via a monthly infusion in hospital, that is keeping me stable and relapse free, but not everyone with MS is as fortunate and due to multiple relapses, the permanent damage has already been done. Although MS is incurable, and as of yet there are only treatments to reduce disability progression, the MS Society continues to work tirelessly for a cure, for more medication and to support people (including their families) affected by MS.

I am incredibly proud to call Lucy my cousin. When she told me that she had chosen to run this year’s marathon for the MS Society UK, because of me, I cried. I was, and still am, totally overwhelmed by her decision. Luce, I know you will smash it and will be there to cheer you on every step of the way. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.

Please please donate to my cousin- she needs all the support to get her across that finish line in April. No amount will be too small.

To those who have already donated - Thank you. The money is going towards an amazing cause.

p.s Don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation. Gift Aid cost’s you no extra and will enable the MS Society UK to receive more pennies from your pound."

Thank you again for your support.

£54 could pay for one hour of essential research into finding better treatments and ultimately, a cure for MS.
 
£80 per hour covers the cost to provide a helpline service, offering crucial emotional support when its needed the most.
 
£5 could give three people, newly diagnosed with MS, access to the essential information they need.