Latest news with #awareness
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Completing walking challenge with rare condition a 'miracle'
A woman has completed a challenge to walk 5km a day during the month of May in order to raise funds and awareness of the rare condition she has. Lucy Murphy, 25, from Exeter, has Dravet Syndrome - a form of epilepsy - and her walk raised money for the charity Dravet Syndrome UK which supports families of those with the Syndrome causes learning disability and a spectrum of associated conditions such as autism, ADHD and speech Murphy's mother, Denise Murphy, said her daughter's accomplishment was a "miracle" after frequent ambulance trips and admissions to intensive care throughout her life. 'Constantly seizing' Ms Murphy lives in supported accommodation and has a carer who helps her daily. She was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three, having had her first seizure at four months old, and she now has the comprehension ability of an eight or nine year old, her mother her early years she was "constantly seizing", Denise Murphy added."We knew every ambulance crew in the area," she said. "We made the decision to move house to be closer to the hospital and never travelled further than a 10-minute radius of our home in Exeter unless we had a nurse with us."Lucy is currently in the longest seizure-free period of her life and we never thought we would be in this position so it's a miracle really."Ms Murphy said she was trying to do as much as she could to raise awareness."If this can spread awareness to others it will make me happy to know I was a part of it," she said. 'Pretty remarkable' Claire Eldred, the Cornwall-based director of Dravet Syndrome UK, also took part in the challenge."What Lucy is doing is incredible," she said. "Dravet is a spectrum and... over 50% of adults need to use a wheelchair, over 50% will have severe to profound intellectual disability and many are non-verbal. "So it is actually pretty remarkable for a person with Dravet Syndrome to be able to take on something like this."
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community rallies in Peoria for 2025 Heart of Illinois Congenital Heart Defect Walk
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The 2025 Heart of Illinois Congenital Heart Defect Walk brought together families, friends, and supporters this weekend at the Peoria Riverfront. People in attendance shared one common goal: to raise awareness and funding for CHD, a life-threatening condition that affects thousands of children and adults across the country. Pam McMahon, co-chair of the event, emphasized the importance of coming together to support one another and raise awareness. 'We want everybody to come down, enjoy the interaction and the camaraderie with others, and just enjoy a day that is not in the hospital or in the clinic or worrying about what you're going through,' McMahon said. Held along the scenic Peoria Riverfront, the event attracted 28 teams who participated in the one-mile walk and collectively raised more than $40,000 to support CHD research and advocacy efforts. She added that the walk provides an important opportunity for connection. 'It gives families a chance to interact with other families that are going through the same thing that they are. We have a lot of our physicians and providers here today, and they get to see them outside of the office, so they get to interact on a more personal level,' she said. Before the walk kicked off, the riverfront was filled with energy and emotion as dozens gathered to take part in family-friendly activities and listen to heartfelt testimonies from families living with congenital heart defects. Many shared their personal stories of struggle, resilience and hope, creating a strong sense of community and purpose. Although the walk has ended, fundraising efforts continue. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of June to further support CHD research and patient support programs. For more information or to contribute, visit the Heart of Illinois Congenital Heart Walk's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given me purpose, says Sir Chris Hoy
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given Sir Chris Hoy 'a purpose', he has said. One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Sir Chris announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Sir Chris says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sir Chris Hoy says raising awareness of prostate cancer has given him purpose
Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy has say that raising awareness of prostate cancer has given him purpose. The 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist revealed his diagnosis last year. Now, he has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. Chris said: 'That campaign has saved lives. "You know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' READ NEXT: 'The best is yet to come': Popular cocktail lounge in Glasgow wins top award Chris revealed that his Instagram inbox is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the Sunday Times. (Image: Picture from Martin Rickett/PA Wire)READ NEXT: Football club attended by Premier League star says pitch costs have 'easily doubled' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Sir Chris says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. He continued: 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given me purpose, says Chris Hoy
RAISING awareness of prostate cancer has given Chris Hoy 'a purpose', he has said. One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Hoy announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. READ MORE: Orkney prepares to welcome athletes for the ultimate island showdown 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Hoy says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
