Run for Mum - raising money for MND research

MND.

Three letters which change the lives of millions of people around the world every day. Like many of you I had no idea what these letters meant until about 7 years ago. Motor Neurone Disease (MND), also known as ALS, is a group of diseases where the nerves controlling muscles that allow us to move around, speak, swallow and breathe fail to work normally and eventually die. With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste away. For most people the mind and intellect are left intact, but with no muscles or strength, MND patients are left motionless, mute, and trapped within their once active bodies. The patterns of weakness and rate of progression vary from person to person, and while some people can live a long time with MND, the average life expectancy is 2.5 years after diagnosis.

There is no known causes for the disease, and there is no cure for MND.

About 400 people in NZ are living with MND at any one time, and New Zealand’s MND death rate is the highest in the world and about five times the global average.

Unfortunately I know all too much about this disease. My mum, Christina Elenor Blackwell, was diagnosed with MND in late 2014. She fought a strong 5 year battle, always with a smile and remarkable positivity and passed away at home in November 2019 at 57 years old.

One of her goals before she was diagnosed was to run a half marathon. She often talked to me about it, trying to convince me it was a great idea, and back then my arm couldn't be pulled. Now looking back I wish I has the opportunity to run with her, but because I can't I'm running this on her behalf.

I'll be running, with mum by my side, on the 21st of August for the Mount Maunganui half marathon. My goal is to raise awareness for MND and raise funds that will continue to help research into the causes and treatments for the disease, and support those diagnosed with MND to maintain their quality of life and support their families and carers. My hope is that one day with research we can defeat this disease and offer hope for those diagnosed.

If you'd like to read more have a look at the MND NZ Associations website https://mnd.org.nz/

Thanks for your support :)