Twenty-four-year-old Ciara Healy is excited to be off travelling next month. But as someone who has lived in Newcastle for six years, there’s one thing she has to do before she leaves and that’s the Great North Run this Sunday!
“It’s such an iconic event in Newcastle, I had to do it, even though I’ve never done a half marathon before,” explains Ciara, who has a very special motivation.
“I was born with biliary atresia, a rare and life-threatening liver disease. My diagnosis was a very scary time for my parents who knew little about this condition. When I was just a few weeks old and still in hospital, we were visited by someone from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation who provided much needed information and support.
“That support continued as I grew up. Fortunately, I have received excellent medical care, and my health has been good but biliary atresia is a lifelong condition and it’s important that all families in our situation receive the help which we did.
“So doing the Great North Run for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is very important to me. It’s my way of giving back. I’m delighted to have already smashed my £500 fundraising target and now want to raise as much as I can. This time last year I couldn’t even run for 30 minutes so there’s no way I could commit to putting myself through 13.1 miles for something I wasn’t passionate about!
“I think my liver condition has shaped who I am a lot so supporting this cause makes it even more meaningful. I don’t have a target time – if I can run it without walking or stopping and raise funds for a cause so close to my heart, I’ll be happy!”
“Many people don’t realise that liver disease is something which affects babies and children,” adds Michelle Wilkins, Head of Children’s and Families Services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, which has now merged with the British Liver Trust to bring children’s and adult liver support services together. “But every year in the UK, around 400 children are diagnosed with a condition for which there is still no cure. A diagnosis means a lifetime of medical care and the effect on families is devastating.
“We provide those young people and their families with information, emotional support and a united voice. It’s wonderful that Ciara wants to give back in this way and truly inspiring that she is able to. We hope the Great North Run is a fantastic experience and wish her all the best for the day.”
You can support Ciara’s Great North Run challenge at Ciara Healy is fundraising for British Liver Trust
