From my earliest memory Mum was ill.

She suffered with severe joint pain and muscle ache, debilitating fatigue, headaches and kidney problems.  At first doctors were not able to tell us what the problem was, but finally, after many years of suffering, she was diagnosed with LUPUS*.

At that time knowledge of the disease was minimal and treatment was limited to dealing with the symptoms, rather than tackling the disease.  Mum was prescribed corticosteroid tablets for many years, which have their own list of side effects which also took their toll.

Lupus however, does not just affect the sufferer, it affects the family too.  For many years my father cared for and supported Mum through her illness, until she passed away in 1998 at the age of 58 due to complications associated with the disease.

I will always remember her as strong and determined woman, who conducted her life with enthusiasm and dignity throughout all the suffering (usually in silence).  She was always a loving wife and mother.

Dad, an avid and accomplished marathon runner, passed away unexpectedly last year (2012) aged 73.

This year, in memory of both my parents, I have decided to help raise money for LUPUS UK, who do a fantastic job in providing a vital resource and support for lupus sufferers and their families.

I can think of no better way than to celebrate the life and achievements of both my parents, and also to raise money, by doing something close to both of their hearts and mine, by running the London Marathon 2013 for Lupus UK.

So to all who knew Mum (Ena) and Dad (Tom) , and also to all of those who didn’t, I ask you to please spare what you can and help me to raise money for LUPUS UK in memory of both my parents.

*We now know that Lupus is a disease that is caused by something going wrong with the immune system — the part of the body that fights off invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and other germs.

 

Typically, B cells in our immune system produce proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders.

 

In people with lupus, B cells stay in the body longer than they should. These are called autoreactive B cells. These autoreactive B cells are cells that react against your own body in lupus. The autoreactive B cells produce a type of protein called an autoantibody. Unlike normal antibodies, which react against foreign invaders, the autoantibodies end up attacking your own body. In lupus, this can lead to inflamed body tissue.

 

Lupus fact: Lupus affects more women than men. About 90% of people living with lupus are women. While nobody knows for certain what causes the disease, lupus appears to have a genetic component and can run in families.

 

Lupus fact: A number of factors may potentially trigger the disease, including infections, stress, diet, toxins, and environmental factors. Ultraviolet light, such as sunlight, has been shown to trigger lupus disease activity in up to 70% of people living with lupus.

 

Lupus fact: Lupus affects everyone differently. Symptoms are wide-ranging and can change over time. This unpredictability can make lupus difficult to diagnose. An accurate diagnosis can take months or even years to determine.

 

To find out more about Lupus visit http://www.lupusuk.org.uk/