In May 2024 I ran in the Great West Run, Exeter (my first half marathon), to raise much needed funds for PSC Support because my husband was diagnosed with a rare and not commonly known chronic illness - Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in March 2022. I have decided to enter the GWR for the second year in a row because I like to challenge myself and want to continue to raise funds for PSC Support as I know doing so will enable them to continue to find a cure and support PSC patients like my husband.

However I am not just aiming to raise money for PSC Support but also for FORCE Cancer (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter), and for Devon Partnership NHS Trust's charity. Although the GWR is my main goal to raise funds, I am also looking to undertake some other events and activities to help raise money for these charities.

I am looking to support all these charities for the following reasons:-

1. PSC is a rare and complex immune-mediated disease of the bile ducts. Symptoms can be severe and unpredictable, sometimes progressing so far that the only lifesaving option is a liver transplant.

There is no way to slow or stop the progress of this devastating disease and people living with PSC desperately need a cure.

2. PSC patients are at risk of cancer (bile duct, bowel, gallbladder and liver) so being able to raise funds for FORCE Cancer was important particularly for PSC patients in the Exeter and the surrounding area as they may well need to call upon the support of FORCE Cancer at some stage during their journey living with PSC.

3. PSC is a chronic illness for which there is currently no cure or treatment, that may understandably have an impact on a PSC patients mental health and may also affect the mental health of their loved ones. Due to the condition my husband has I became aware of the support that Devon Partnership NHS Trust's Talking Health Service provides to people who have a long term physical health condition and who may be struggling with their mental health. Therefore I want to raise funds for the DPT Charity as a way of saying thank you to the Trust for all they do and to acknowledge the Talking Health Service in supporting people who have long term physical health conditions who may need their support.

Every penny counts.

Thank you for visiting my JustGivingPage.