Fundraising for the University of Sheffield

Sam Guest is taking on the Big Walk because Genetic Disease Research has had a significant impact on his life. Sam knows how others can benefit from GDR.

Sam grew up with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at 4 weeks old. This has impacted his life by causing him to tire easily and making exercise difficult due to large amounts of sticky mucus. Sam also grew up underweight as his body could not absorb fats well.

But thanks to Genetic Disease research, Sam’s life was changed forever for the better.

In November 2020, Sam started taking the “miracle drug” Kaftrio. Sam explains “it’s drastically increased my life expectancy as well as removing the symptoms of CF. Within 2 days of taking Kaftrio my lung function went up by 28%!.”

Read more about Sam’s story and donate to the Genetic Disease Research appeal here.

Your contribution will change lives.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022/big-walk-stories-2022/sams-big-walk-2022

Sam's Big Walk 2022 Sam Guest, a Senior Recruitment Officer based at the Sheffield University Management School, is taking on the Big Walk because he knows exactly how Genetic Disease Research can have a lifelong impact for people like him.

Today we want to introduce you to 8 year old Robbie Edwards.

Robbie has SPG47, a rare genetic disease. It causes developmental disabilities that impact all aspects of Robbie's life. Despite the challenges Robbie faces, she still has an infectious giggle and loves playing with her friends.

Physiotherapy, injections to reduce debilitating muscle tightness and leg braces, all help Robbie. But they are just sticking plasters. They can’t stop the disease.

SPG47 is just one of hundreds of rare genetic diseases that could be treated. You can change the lives of children like Robbie by supporting the Genetic Disease Research appeal today.

Your support really will change lives.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/big-walk-2022

Meet the team taking on the Big Walk and developing Genetic Disease treatments.

https://digitalmedia.sheffield.ac.uk/media/Big+Walk+2022+-+Genetic+Disease+Research+Team/1_el7vdoaz

Matt Roach, Emily Graves and Bradley Hall are at the forefront of the fight against genetic disease. Their cutting-edge research is helping find the cures of tomorrow, today.

They are taking part in the Big Walk this Friday to fundraise for this important cause.

“The more money that we're able to contribute towards these projects, the faster we'll learn about these disorders. And the faster we learn about it, the quicker we're going to be able to help patients.”

With your help we can find treatments for genetic diseases sooner.

Donate today:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/big-walk-2022

The Big Walk 2022 for Genetic Disease Research The Big Walk 2022 is back and better than ever! Returning on Friday 24th June, walkers will be fundraising to give hope to families living with the ongoing challenges of a genetic disease.

Genetic Disease Research won't only find treatments for rare genetic diseases.

Genetic Disease Research will help find treatments for certain types of dementia.

Research shows that 1 in 8 people with frontotemporal dementia have inherited it genetically.

Your help can help change that. With your donations, we can speed up research and find treatments sooner.

Donate today: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/big-walk-2022

Meet Julia, who is taking on the Big Walk in memory of her Dad, who sadly passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2020. Julia wants to raise money to help researchers develop treatments for MND and similar conditions.

Julia says: “Due to the pandemic, I’ve been able to do very little to mark my father's passing and celebrate his life. The Big Walk gives me the chance to do something personal and practical through helping to raise funds for Genetic Disease Research.”

Read more about why Julia is taking on the Big Walk here:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022/big-walk-stories-2022/julias-big-walk-2022

Julia's Big Walk 2022 Julia Dobson is taking on the Big Walk in memory of her Dad who sadly died from Motor Neurone Disease in March 2020.

Genetic Disease Research at the University of Sheffield is already changing lives. Find out how⬇️

Babies with SMA type 1 used to have a life expectancy of just two years old. Now, thanks to gene therapy their future isn't written in stone.

Professor Azzouz has already helped to develop a gene therapy treatment for babies with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Your compassion today will help find treatments to even more genetic conditions like SMA. It really can change lives.

Donate today: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/big-walk-2022

Meet Phil, a Research Fellow at The School of Health and Related Research. Phil is taking on the Big Walk 2022 - a 50km walk through the Peak District - later this month to raise money for Genetic Disease Research.

In his research, Phil works with boys and men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). And he’s seen first-hand the impacts of this terrible genetic disease.
He hopes that gene therapy at the University of Sheffield will one day help the patients he works with.

Read Phil’s Big Walk story here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022/big-walk-stories-2022/philips-big-walk-2022

Phil's Big Walk 2022 Genetic Disease Research is a cause close to Dr Philip Powell’s heart. He’s taking on the Big Walk because he hopes gene therapy might one day help the patients he works with.

Could Sheffield's research be the key to treating age-related hearing loss? Find out how ⬇️⁠
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Age-related hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder. It is estimated that by 2050, it will affect almost one billion people. ⁠
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There is no current cure as Walter Marcotti, a Professor of Sensory Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, says “Even if you shout in someone’s ear or implement a hearing device there is nothing that can move the sound from the ear to the brain. And that is one of the major issues that we have with aged related hearing loss.”⁠
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Age-related hearing loss causes elderly people to feel isolated as they struggle to socialise with others. This can lead to conditions such as depression, and research shows there is a link between age-related hearing loss and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. ⁠
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However, there is hope that with further research, age-related hearing loss can be delayed or even prevented. The fundraising appeal for Genetic Disease Research will help Sheffield scientists to translate their research and apply it to humans.⁠
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If one day a treatment to prevent or delay age-related hearing loss were to be found, there is no doubt the treatment would be life-changing for millions of people across the world.⁠
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www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/causes/research/supporting-gdr

A great listen from Are big new ideas are getting harder to find. Can we fix the system? At , we know the answers are out there. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0c1blwc

BBC Radio 4 - Seriously..., The End of Invention The rate at which scientists and inventors discover new things is slowing. How to fix it?

Whether you're a Big Walk regular or taking on the event for the first time, we hope you'll love the challenge and enjoy fundraising for a fantastic cause.

Our deadline for entries is fast approaching, so make sure to register before 13th May.

Sign up today:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022

Sheffield research is doing incredible things!⁠
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Gene therapy treatments have the potential to save lives, we hope you'll join us for this special fundraising event.⁠

Sign up today:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022

Find out why over 250 people are walking and fundraising for the University of Sheffield.

Walk, volunteer or donate - all support will help to develop life-changing treatments.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/giving/fundraise/big-walk-2022