My Story

I will be running the London marathon for Brain Research UK which invests in vital neurological research to discover for those affected by neurological conditions - a cause close to our hearts. 

In 2023,My 18-year-old little sister, Karis, suffered a bleed on the brain. It came without any warning.

She was rushed to the hospital after collapsing in pain and tests and scans confirmed the bleed.

An ambulance raced her straight to Queen's Hospital for immediate brain surgery. The potential risks were terrifying: blood clots, stroke, coma, brain swelling, infections, muscle weakness, memory loss, and speech loss.

The five-hour wait for surgery was agonizing. With it being such an emergency, they just needed to get her into surgery. We weren't given any information until it was over. Countless questions swirled in our heads: Would they be able to stop the bleeding? How severe would her symptoms be even if the surgery was successful? The list went on and on.

The first surgery was successful, and Karis was in recovery, but her journey wasn't over. Recovering would be a tough road ahead.

Seeing her in so much pain, wired to machines, and unable to move, not even to use the toilet, was incredibly difficult. Our vibrant, young sister was suffering terribly, and it broke our hearts that we couldn't take her pain away.

After two days in intensive care and eleven days in the high dependency unit, she was finally released to continue her recovery at home for a total of six weeks.

As a family, we were overwhelmed with relief. We couldn't wait to get our girl home. However, we weren't prepared for what was to come.

After six months of an incredible recovery, we received devastating news during Karis' six-month check-up. A second aneurysm was confirmed, meaning she would have to endure everything she had already been through – all over again.

In may 2024, Karis was back at Queen's Hospital for her second brain surgery in just over six months.

Throughout this ordeal, Karis has been an absolute warrior – the strongest of us all. She's embracing life with a whole new perspective.

My family and I cannot thank the medical team who cared for Karis enough. We honestly don't know what our lives would be like now without them. They truly gave her a second chance at life, and for that, we are eternally grateful. The surgeons, specialists, nurses, and everyone who cared for her daily when we couldn't be there – you are all amazing and truly special for what you do.

This traumatic experience has inspired me to run the London Marathon to raise funds for others in similar situations. We want to support organizations that provide vital assistance to individuals and families affected by brain injuries.