Running Rocks & Ridges for Sarcoidosis

Kia ora

My name is Sarah Bishop and I am running the GOAT Tongariro half marathon to raise money for Sarcoidosis research & to inspire others along the way!

18 months ago, I started to experience night sweats, fatigue, & my blood pressure was going up. Then my heart rate wouldn’t go up when it needed to.

I found myself in for a long stay at both the Rotorua and Waikato Hospital's. I was rapidly declining & whilst the doctors ran every test under the sun to figure out what was going on, I continued to decline until my heart stopped working completely.

I was diagnosed with Cardiac SARCOIDOSIS!

Fortunately, an amazing device, an ICD pacemaker/defibrillator was plugged into my heart & I was put onto some pretty intrusive meds. Fast forward to today & here I am doing EVERYTHING I can, SO grateful for the opportunity to do so!

Sarcoidosis is a rare Inflammatory disease characterised by the formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system goes into overdrive & too many of these clump's form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function.

All donations received will go to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research - the leading international organisation dedicated to finding a cure for Sarcoidosis & improving care for Sarcoidosis patients through research, education & support. I'll be sure to work for your generosity on the 17th of January 2026 when I take on the GOAT Tongariro adventure💜