Stephanie Smith

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

 As if having 3 children, working in the NHS, renovating our new home, training regularly at the gym and being a long suffering wife to Darren 🤭 wasn’t enough, I have decided to put myself forward for the Great North Run for a second time in September.

For this year’s run, I am hoping to raise donations for Parkinson’s UK. Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain which leads to a reduction in dopamine. Dopamine is an important chemical for regulating movement which is why you may be aware that one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s is tremors, muscle stiffness/inflexibility and slower movement. Some people with Parkinson’s will be in pain and feel fatigued doing the simplest of household activities. Your balance can be upset, making you more prone to nasty falls and breakages. Sleep is often disrupted, and we all know how crabby you can feel when unrested. Additionally, the reduction in dopamine can also be responsible for psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. This condition is particularly cruel in that it is progressive. There are roughly 40 different symptoms but these can manifest differently in each case. What we do know is that studies indicate that people with Parkinson’s can experience a shorter life expectancy. Imagine having to live day to day with uncertainty over your future after diagnosis whilst also managing the physical and mental symptoms. 

If you have any experience of this condition, you will know how vital it is that charities and partners can work towards finding more effective treatments and potentially a cure. If you don’t know much about Parkinson’s, I can tell you that the number of people living with Parkinson’s is on the rise and it is predicted that 173,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s by 2030. That’s at least 173,000 families, friends, neighbours and colleagues also potentially impacted by that diagnosis. 

This is why I am hoping people will chip in to help create hope and build more supportive health infrastructures to help people living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. 

I’m sure Darren and the children will do a good job of cheering me on through the tough moments! Every single donation will give me the strength and determination to cross that finish line. Please send me good luck and keep me in your thoughts as I bumble my way through 13.1 miles and hopefully raise some well deserved money for Parkinson’s UK.