https://www.instagram.com/p/DUMPIddDO5R/

Hi. We’re Emma and Sarah (sisters since 1993) and we’re running a half marathon together to raise money for the British Thyroid Foundation.

Over at least the last year, Emma has been living with a thyroid illness. She knew something wasn’t right early on, but the worst symptoms were confusing and easy to explain away: exhaustion, big weight loss, heat and cold intolerance, blurry vision, feeling suddenly and inexplicably unwell. Like so many people, she kept reminding herself it was most likely just stress, not recovering properly, or just getting older.

By the time the right blood tests were finally done, things had become much scarier (heart symptoms, exercise intolerance, insomnia). Emma ended up in A&E with severe cardiac symptoms, and life very quickly became about appointments, scans, medication changes, and blood test after blood test. There was relief in finally having an answer — but also fear, exhaustion, and a steep learning curve about just how much thyroid disease can affect every part of your body and life.

Emma is responding to treatment now, and that’s something we’re deeply grateful for. She’s slowly rebuilding strength, sleeping again, and finding her way back to movement. But it’s been a frightening and uncertain year, and one that showed us how misunderstood thyroid disease still is, and how long people can struggle without answers or support.

The British Thyroid Foundation has been an invaluable source of clear, reliable information and reassurance throughout this journey. They help people recognise symptoms, advocate for themselves, and feel less alone while navigating something that can be overwhelming and isolating.

Running this race together feels like a way to turn a very difficult chapter into something hopeful. For Emma, it represents recovery and learning to trust her body again and trying to say thank you. For Sarah, it’s about being with her sister and best friend, step by step, mile by mile and trying to raise money and awareness for people who don't have the kind of support Emma does.

If you’re able to donate, share this page, or cheer us on, we’d be incredibly grateful. And if this helps even one person recognise symptoms earlier or seek help sooner, it will have been worth it. Thank you BTF. Emma Wiseman