Olivia undertook the London Marathon 2023 for Heart Research UK.
On April 23rd, 2023, I took on the challenge of running the London Marathon in honour of my beloved grandmother, Noonie, who tragically passed away a couple of years ago due to heart disease. Noonie was the most cheeky, loving, and extraordinary grandmother, and her sudden loss left a huge void in our family.
Noonie had her first heart attack a couple of years before her second. At the time, she attributed her discomfort to her bra being too tight, she didn’t recognise the symptoms and didn’t want to ‘cause a fuss.’ The days she waited before telling us and seeking critical medical treatment undoubtedly caused further stress and damage to her heart. It was devastating to learn that she dismissed the pain as something so minor, when it was actually life-threatening.
Sadly, a couple of years later, Noonie had a second and final heart attack, which took her life very suddenly. Losing her so quickly, with absolutely no warning, was heart-breaking, and it took us a long time to come to terms with what had happened. For me, her passing reinforced the importance of not only educating yourself about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, but also never worrying about ‘making a fuss.’ If you’re in pain and something doesn’t feel right, it’s so important to seek immediate medical attention.
Through this marathon, I hoped not only to raise funds and awareness for Heart Research UK, but also to honour the memory of my incredible grandmother. I want to do my part in the fight against heart diseases and hopefully, help prevent other families from going through what ours did by spreading awareness of the signs of a heart attack.
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Sharing your journey of living with or knowing someone who has had a heart condition is invaluable. Your experience inspires, helps and supports people across the UK.
Chris is a dedicated member of the Patient and Public Network. Driven by his personal experience of heart diseases, he hopes to help create a future where lesser lives are lost to heart diseases.
Gilbert is a dedicated member of the Patient and Public Network at Heart Research UK, helping build the future of innovation and patient care.
Peter is an active member of the Patient and Public Network, using his own experiences to help inspire the research that will support people in the years ahead.
Jaye is a member of the Patient and Public Network, using her lived experience to help shape the heart research of tomorrow.