“We need desperately to find a cure” – Kay’s race to raise money for MND

Kay Blackburn is one of our inspirational runners taking on the York 10K, which is taking place on Sunday 4^th August. Kay has signed up to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

In 2020, her husband, Ken was diagnosed with MND after suffering for 6 years with undiagnosed symptoms. Mental abilities and senses are not usually affected and therefore patients generally remain aware of their deteriorating physical condition. We need to raise awareness, as there is currently no cure and no effective treatment for MND.

“I run to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. My husband was diagnosed with PLS, which is a rare form of MND.”

PLS, or Primary Lateral Sclerosis, affects the upper motor neurons, and kills a third of sufferers within a year.

Motor Neurone Disease affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time with a 1 in 300 at risk of getting MND in their lifetime. MND cane affect adults of any age. There is currently no cure for MND. The Motor Neurone Disease Association are working on finding a cure every day with their vision of a world free of MND. The MND Association focus on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ken’s diagnosis hit the family hard, as it massively affected how he lives his life, as it has taken away his love of sport, which Kay now makes up for in her efforts in raising funds for MND, along with their son and daughter, who have also made efforts to raise money for the cause.

“From being a fit and active man, taking part in a triathlon and regular hiking, he had to take early retirement and now uses a wheelchair.”

“His speech has deteriorated significantly. This is a degenerative disease and there is no cure. All funds raised go to MND research. So far, I've raised approximately £5000. We desperately need to find a cure."

Good Luck Kay! We can’t wait to cheer you across the finish line!

You can support Kay on her fundraising journey here

Find out more about the Motor Neurone Disease Association here

Entries for the York 10K are still open. To find out more and sign up click here