A student from Colchester, who was born with a rare liver disease and received a transplant when he was just two, has just completed his first marathon, raising over £1000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).
Sam Wainwright is currently a fit and well 20-year-old, studying Psychology at the University of East Anglia, but when he was diagnosed with the rare and life-threatening liver condition, biliary atresia, as a baby, he was very poorly. “It was a difficult time for my parents, coping with the diagnosis of a rare disease and then being told that I would need a liver transplant,” says Sam. “But I know that Children’s Liver Disease Foundation were there for them throughout, with information and support.
“And as I was growing up, through the charity I was able to meet other people my age who were managing a liver condition, and make good friends, both at CLDF events and at the British Transplant Games,” he continues.
“I’ve been lucky. Since my transplant, my health has been pretty good, with a couple of hiccups along the way. In 2021 a nasty reaction to the COVID vaccine caused autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and an emergency splenectomy. It took me over a year to properly recover from this and, once I had got back to a good health, I started to run again to try and rebuild my fitness and set myself the challenge of running a marathon. It was only natural to use the opportunity to raise funds for a charity which has always been there for me and my family.
“I chose Helsinki because it fell at a good time in the year for my parents to come and watch me and I thought the temperature would be good for marathon running. The training was a huge commitment but the marathon itself, although it took a lot out of me, was an amazing experience. I was thrilled with my time of 3:27:55, as my target time was three and a half hours, and to also hit my fundraising target for CLDF.”
Michelle Wilkins, Head of Children’s and Families’ Services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “We’ve worked with Sam and his family for many years and it’s humbling that he’s chosen to give back in this way. The fact that he is fit and well enough to run a marathon is also a real inspiration to other young people affected by childhood liver diseases and we’re grateful to him for sharing this experience.”
You can still support Sam’s marathon effort at https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-wainwright-1700421973935
