Matty's TTP Challenge in support of the TTP Network

Matty Jackman is organising this fundraiser on behalf of TTPNetwork.

OVERVIEW: I am raising money for The TTP Network on 24 Jun 24 by running three consecutive half-marathons! Why? My brilliant Dad currently lives with TTP and was lucky to survive when first diagnosed. I remember first learning about TTP in the Royal Liverpool Hospital and how scary and unnerving this experience was. Therefore, I want to:

Increase awareness of TTP so others can spot the symptoms and understand the disease.

Support the patients affected by the disease, raising money for the complex TTP treatment required and the care given to the patients and their families.

MY TARGET: My target is £1313. Why this (very specific) amount? First, let me tell you three things about TTP:

What is it? Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP) is an acute life-threatening illness with a mortality rate of 90% without treatment. Furthermore, 30%-50% of patients will experience multiple episodes of TTP (called relapses) after their initial diagnosis.

How does it affect you? TTP causes extensive clotting in small blood vessels throughout the body. Essentially, it causes thousands of mini-strokes all over the body, leading to bruising and organ failure.

Why? Most cases of TTP arise from a lack of an enzyme known as ADAMTS 13, leading to small blood clots in the blood vessels, low platelet counts, and destruction of red blood cells. In short, ADAMTS 13, the good guy, stops working because your body makes antibodies, the bad guys, that attack ADAMTS 13.

TTP means you are destroying the ADAMTS 13 that is required to prevent you from clotting, hence the significance of the number 13! ADAMTS 13 isn’t unlucky for any of us, especially those with TTP (https://www.ttpnetwork.org.uk/about-ttp)

MY ROUTE FOR FUNDRAISING.

THE PLAN. The challenge, keeping the theme around 13 and awareness of the importance of ADAMTS 13, is to run three consecutive half-marathons through Westmorland and Lonsdale. (Coincidentally, the distance from the top to the bottom of our constituency is approximately this length.)

DONATIONS.

So that is where you come in! Please consider donating to my challenge or sharing this post to support the work of the TTP Network.

Most importantly, please give https://www.ttpnetwork.org.uk/ a visit and learn more about the disease.

The more awareness the better! Please consider donating an amount ending in 13p too. e.g. £13.13; £5.13 etc!

NOTES.

1. The Royal Liverpool is one of only two hospitals in the country where you can receive TTP care.

2. My Dad was treated at the RLUH and receives treatment there to this day.

3. The TTP Network (a registered charity (1195109)) requires further funding to support patients and their families and friends.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit TTP Network, and any donation will help make an impact.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause which means so much to me.

More information about TTPNetwork? Providing support and advocacy to patients diagnosed with TTP, and also their families. We also provide information to healthcare professionals.