Karen goes Miles for Cystic Fibrosis (UPDATE)

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11 Jun 2019

Category: AAG News, Community News

Karen Martin, Managing Director of UAN, is taking on an impressive challenge for charity this year.

On Sunday 9th June you’ll find Karen in Derby running her first half-marathon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust!

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is a cause close to Karen’s heart as her friend’s two young boys – George and Alex – live with this life-altering condition. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting more than 10,400 people in the UK; 1 in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. CF causes a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.

Treatment varies for each patient, but for George and Alex it involves physio twice a day, nebulisers 3-5 times a day, inhalers 3 times a day, and 35-40 tablets per day just to keep them well. Alex also has CF related diabetes which requires insulin to manage, and is awaiting surgery to have a permanent feeding tube fitted. It’s a lot to manage, and the constant care needed from their mum is exhausting and financially tough.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is a great help to the family, and many more like them. They are a constant source of information and research, maintain a helpline for families, and provide advice and support through parent conferences. In the long term, the hope is that the CF Trust funded research will find a cure or more effective treatments to increase life expectancy and reduce the burden of treatment.

Karen is aiming to raise £1,500 to aid the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in their research for a cure. Training has been tough following a neck injury, but Karen’s managing 10km so far and is determined to keep going and support this great cause. If you’re able to help Karen reach her fundraising goal, her Just Giving page can be found here. All donations are gratefully received.

Karen says “Thank you so much to those who have already donated, I am humbled by the generosity shown and I am determined to make these 13 miles even if I have to crawl over the finish line”.

Best of luck Karen!

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Karen has successfully completed her first half-marathon- all of the training paid off, as she completed the run in an impressive 2 hours 14 minutes!

Karen shares her thanks to everyone who has contributed to raising a fantastic £1,100 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust so far. If you’re able to help Karen reach her original fundraising goal of £1,500, her Just Giving page can be still be found here.

Congratulations Karen!