I am fundraising on behalf of my sister, Emily, who has Addison's disease. Emily was diagnosed on 19th December 2017, when she was just 15 years old. She was one of only nine children in the north of England with the condition.

Addison's disease, is a condition where the body's immune system destroys the adrenal cortex leading to a life-threatening hormonal deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone. This rare condition is often difficult to identify and diagnose. Emily was admitted to A&E, unable to walk, struggling to eat and drink and constantly vomiting. After being diagnosed at Cumberland Infirmary, Emily was and still is under the care of Newcastle RVI endocrinologists. This was a scary time for all of our family and friends.

Emily has been amazingly tough since she was diagnosed, this has been made a lot easier with the support of this charity. The road has been long and bumpy but I am so proud of what she has been able to overcome in the last 6 years. This race is nothing compared to what Emily has been through and what she deals with most days.

However, this is my first ever triathlon, having never swam or biked the distances required. On 18th June 2023, I will be swimming 1.2 miles in Derwent water, followed by a 56 mile bike ride and finishing with a 13.1 mile run in and around Keswick.

The Addison's Disease Self-Help Group is a charity close to my heart. I hope to spread awareness and help towards the ongoing support the charity has given to those with the disease and their families.

Addison's disease and the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG)

Addison’s is a rare endocrine condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones and can be life-threatening. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people, meaning an estimated 300 - 350 new cases are diagnosed each year across the UK, this makes it roughly 300 times rarer than diabetes.

Life-long treatment with replacement steroid hormones is required. Medication is usually taken several times daily at carefully timed intervals and individuals must also know how to administer an emergency hydrocortisone injection to prevent a potentially fatal adrenal crisis.

At the ADSHG, we are here to support the Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency community and their healthcare providers to promote better medical understanding of this rare condition, campaign for and support everyone affected by adrenal failure, and fund vital research.

Do grab a cuppa and have a read about what the condition is, what we do, and how you can support people you know who have the condition if they become unwell.

• What is Adrenal Insufficiency?
• Living with Addison's
• Emergency support - adrenal crisis
• What we do
• Other ways you can support us
• Get in touch

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Another big thank you from me and everyone at the ADSHG.

Laura Mann