Kerri's Race for Life

When my mum was pregnant with me, she suffered with a very rare disease that is fatal, particularly in pregnant women, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. This disease has a 95% fatality rate if left untreated, so I am eternally grateful a doctor noticed the symptoms. All her organs started to fail, and I was removed by C Section, 6 weeks early, in an attempt to keep us both alive. Moved to different hospitals, my mum travelled to Oxford in an ambulance with an amazing nurse, Niamh. She doesn’t remember much from this whole experience, but she always remembered the support Niamh gave her. A few months later, Niamh saw my mum in a shop and followed her around to see which child was in the pram - no one knew if I’d survived. Travel forward a few years and Niamh started working back at the same hospital where Mum and I were saved - Stoke Mandeville, where Mum was already working. Here started a long friendship that seemed to have been destined from day one (literally for me). Now we are here. Niamh has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and continues to fight it. I owe my Mum’s life and my own to this woman, and the hospital they have both worked at for many years. I cannot think of any better way to raise money and awareness for this horrible disease, and to thank Niamh for everything she’s done for my family. 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work, so please sponsor me now. Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK.