As many friends and family already know, my mum was diagnosed in 2012 with an extremely rare blood disease called TTP. For the past 2 years I have ran the Cardiff Half Marathon and raised over £900 for the charity and researching university to continue support for families and enhance the understanding on the disease. This year, I have decided to take part in the Bristol Half Marathon. In December 2024, Mumsie had another relapse and received 4 weeks of treatment, again visiting hospital during the Christmas period. She has had to make regular visits during the new year period to check her blood levels are maintained, which so far they are, but still has to have blood tests multiple times during the months. This is something my mum will experience throughout the rest of her life, and without the work of the healthcare professionals and the TTP charity, the progress and understanding they have developed since her first episode would not have been achieved.

Below I have attached the story from my first fundraiser, explaining my mums journey with the disease. I feel it is the perfect time for me to raise as much as possible for TTP as this will be my last race for a while (I think), as I’m not sure my knees will survive! I hope to get another PB and a sub 2.30 race time this year and fundraising is just another factor that encourages me. Without the help of this charity, hundreds of people, including my mum, would not have survived, and I cannot express my gratitude enough! ❤️

In December 2012, my Mum was diagnosed with TTP. To understand the rarity of this disease, it is 6 to 10 people in every million affected. With little to no knowledge of the blood disease, and without the impeccable work from the BRI, it’s certain she wouldn’t be here today. Her ADAMTS13 level had completely dropped, causing blood clots in her blood vessels, low platelets, and her body began to destroy her red blood cells. She was treated in hospital for 2 weeks, coming home on Christmas Eve.

Since then she has had multiple relapses, requiring further treatment, and will continue to require treatment for the rest of her life. She now has to undergo regular blood tests to ensure her platelet and ADAMTS13 counts stay above level. With every check up there is always a worry that her counts will have dropped and that she may be approaching another relapse. TTP has completely affected her life and will now be a forever part of it.

Without the work of the TTP Network and their continuous research and developments, myself, my family, and thousands of others also affected would be without family members today. I cannot thank the hospitals, doctors, researchers and charities enough for all that they do and the support they give. Therefore I am running my half marathon to raise money for the TTP Network, to continue to progress in finding causes, symptoms and treatments to help those in the future, and those already affected. 

Words cannot begin to explain the emotions felt as an 11 year old child watching my mum struggle, and now at 24 it hasn’t become any easier. 

Any donations and support towards this would mean the world to my family and I, and I know it means even more to my Mum. 

https://www.ttpnetwork.org.uk