Camille Cook
Camille Cook's Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Livability
Story
We all know thanksgiving is about family, turkey, and American football but this year I have decided to celebrate the holiday in a non-traditional way...running the Atlanta Marathon! 26.3 miles...THEN I will get my turkey. We all have much to be grateful for and Thanksgiving is one of the rare days we stop to count our blessings. As I count my blessings this year I will be running in support of the Irvine family and to raise funds and awareness for neuroacanthocytosis (NA). I met Glenn and Ginger Irvine and their daughter Alex when I moved to London and learned about NA for the first time.
Neuroacanthocytosis is a rare genetic disease that generally appears unexpectedly in a person's late 20's and soon makes walking, swallowing, speaking and hand-movements extremely difficult. NA occurs in the same part of the brain as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease and like these diseases NA gradually robs you of your independence.
It is difficult to imagine being a young 20's something full of life and ambition and to be suddenly stopped in your tracks. This is what happened to Alex: she was a beautiful, active young girl who studied at Tufts University and had big plans for where life might take her. Alex now lives with her parents and struggles to do the simple tasks we take for granted. Her courage and warmth are inspiring in the face of her situation.
I am thankful to be able to run this marathon for Alex and the Irvine Family.
I would like to ask for your support in this endeavor, running 26.3 miles seems crazy but running it with a purpose makes it a bit more sensible. Please consider if you could donate to the livability charity and this thanksgiving think of me running along but more importantly think of Alex and all those suffering from NA who are unable to run. Count your blessings, life is fragile.
God bless.
Camille
PS Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me.
Neuroacanthocytosis is a rare genetic disease that generally appears unexpectedly in a person's late 20's and soon makes walking, swallowing, speaking and hand-movements extremely difficult. NA occurs in the same part of the brain as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease and like these diseases NA gradually robs you of your independence.
It is difficult to imagine being a young 20's something full of life and ambition and to be suddenly stopped in your tracks. This is what happened to Alex: she was a beautiful, active young girl who studied at Tufts University and had big plans for where life might take her. Alex now lives with her parents and struggles to do the simple tasks we take for granted. Her courage and warmth are inspiring in the face of her situation.
I am thankful to be able to run this marathon for Alex and the Irvine Family.
I would like to ask for your support in this endeavor, running 26.3 miles seems crazy but running it with a purpose makes it a bit more sensible. Please consider if you could donate to the livability charity and this thanksgiving think of me running along but more importantly think of Alex and all those suffering from NA who are unable to run. Count your blessings, life is fragile.
God bless.
Camille
PS Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me.