On 14 August, a group of more than 30 doctors and nurses from the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney will line up with thousands of other eager runners to compete in the annual City 2 Surf event.
What’s special about this group is – they’re running to stop FOP (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva) an incredibly rare disease affecting 1 in 2 million people and Imogen Taylor is the driving force behind this team of medics.
“My partner’s sister – one of the best people I know – has FOP. It is appalling to see how dramatically the disease progresses and devastating that currently there is no treatment, let alone a cure. For the past few years, my partner Tom and I have been among those raising money for research into the disease – but mostly centered in the UK where she lives” said Imogen.
Tom went with his family to the International FOP conference in Manchester in May this year. They had the pleasure of meeting Jarvis and his mum Lara from Brisbane and learnt that the charitable organisation FOP Australia was just being established”, she continued.
As Imogen had just arrived in Australia and was working at a hospital in Sydney where a group of doctors were going to run the City2Surf – it seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about FOP Australia.
There are thirty members in the team- a mix of medical specialists some of whom had not heard of FOP themselves – despite their expertise in the field of medicine.
“FOP is so rare, it is not usual to test for it, or for those in the medical profession to be aware of the symptoms – like turned in toes”, said Imogen.
Imogen has shared information about FOP with members of their running team and have already spread the word about fundraising efforts to our colleagues, friends and relatives.
So why choose FOP over other equally worthy charities out there?
“If we can raise money that will directly support research that could prevent a lot of suffering and, within a few years, we could consign FOP to the history books.”
“Using our networks, the thirty of us can reach out to hundreds of others, telling them about FOP and enlist their support,” said Imogen
While Imogen has never run City2Surf before, she’s amazed at the beauty of the 14km course passing through the CBD to the Eastern beaches.
“The atmosphere will be fantastic. We have some people who are brand new to running and others who are triathletes!” she added.
“Running for a cause like this is extremely rewarding and will motivate us to get over the finish line’” she smiled.
I know everyone thinks ‘I should do that for charity….Well here’s an example of how that has translated in action”.
“Find an event you want to take part in, persuade your friends to do it with you and then raise money for a charity close to your heart – why not FOP Australia!”
To support this amazing team of runners, you can make a donation at: FOP Australia Give Now page
The members of FOP Australia want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Imogen, Tom and the team of runners who contacted us to raise money for FOP. Their generosity and hard work will help Australian patients and their families living with FOP, and we will donate 100% of the funds raised towards research for a cure.
For information on FOP and our charity FOP Australia visit the FOP Australia Website
