Reading woman battles rare condition to run marathon
Kelly Doe will take part in the London Marathon despite a potentially life-threatening condition
Last updated 18th Apr 2024
A woman from Reading is gearing up to run her first marathon – the London Marathon.
37-year-old Kelly Doe is running in memory of her close friend’s husband who spent his last days at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading.
Kelly, from Reading, said her friend Fiona described the hospice as a ‘peaceful and supportive’ place, with Sue Ryder Nurses helping her through the most difficult time in her life. So, when the opportunity came up, Kelly decided to lace her trainers for Sue Ryder.
Now or never
Kelly said:
“London Marathon will be my first marathon, I have done the Reading Half numerous times and last year I felt the fittest I have ever been, so I decided it was now or never.
“I got to know Fiona’s husband Steve through running events. He would always be there with us supporting at every race and we soon also became good friends. Steve was such a kind and caring person. I want to give something back for the exceptional care he received.”
Kelly’s journey to the London Marathon hasn’t been without hurdles. Diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare condition where the adrenal glands stop functioning, Kelly’s body doesn’t produce adequate levels of the essential hormones Aldosterone and Cortisol. To maintain stability, she relies on steroids as hormone replacements.
Life-threatening
Kelly said:
“When you put your body under any unusual stress whether physical or mental, the demand for these hormones increases.
“Fortunately, the steroids have kept my condition very stable, but I am all too aware how quickly things can change. Just picking up a simple sickness bug could lead to a life-threatening situation known as an adrenal crisis.
“Friends and family have nagged me for years to enter a marathon and had I not been diagnosed with Addison’s, I probably would have run one by now. But it's taken nine years to build up my fitness to a level that I am confident in my body's ability to finally go for it.
“That said, I am still taking every step of this marathon journey carefully, making sure to gradually increase the training load so that my body adapts and is not shocked by the increased mileage.”
Fundraising
Kelly continued to say that she has been ‘overwhelmed’ with the support she has received, raising more than £8000 for the healthcare and bereavement charity through quiz nights, raffles and selling sweet cones.
Sue Ryder delivers compassionate care through its hospices and in the community at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading and Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire.
Compassion
Speaking about Sue Ryder’s palliative care, Fiona Holloway said:
“To describe Sue Ryder’s support, it is like being given the biggest, most reassuring and genuine hug. The staff looked after Steve with compassion and great care, and also looked after me which I really needed. Nothing was too much for them.”
“I am so inspired by Kelly taking on the London Marathon and also raising more than £7,000. As well as being a working girl, she manages a rare illness which she doesn’t let hold her back in achieving her goals. Saying thank you to both Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and to Kelly doesn’t feel like enough, but I am so grateful.”
You can support Kelly’s fundraising on her justgiving page.
If you’re inspired by Kelly’s story and would like to run the London Marathon for Sue Ryder in 2025, visit the website here.