Hello everyone! I am running the Manchester Marathon on April 27th to raise money for Alopecia UK. Alopecia UK is a small but mighty charity that aims to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia through providing support, raising awareness and funding research projects to find a cure.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease which causes hair loss. As you may know, I have experienced Alopecia since the age of 12, when I 'randomly' lost half an eyebrow. From 14 years old, I started noticing bald patches on my head and was told I had Alopecia. Since then, I have experienced multiple cycles of hair loss, progressing in severity each time, starting with small patches which then lead to me going completely bald, alongside losing my eyebrows and eyelashes.

Fortunately, each time I have lost my hair, it seems to grow back naturally. This summer, I was able to stop wearing my wig after nearly 2 years as my hair fully grew back. However, in October it began falling out again- the fourth time this has happened- and I could only expect the worst, and that I may go completely bald in the space of a few weeks or months. As there is currently no cure for Alopecia in the UK, I just have to accept the fact that it will fall out, and that there is nothing I, or anyone else can do to stop it. Donations towards Alopecia UK goes towards funding research projects with medical professionals to look into the causes of Alopecia, with the aim of finding treatments, and ultimately, a cure. This provides hope for so many people who suffer with Alopecia by knowing there may be a cure around the corner!

Luckily, I am very fortunate and I have an amazing wig (aka 'Lucinda') who helps me through it! Donations to Alopecia UK also go towards supporting individuals in finding suitable wigs to help them feel confident in themselves again. Ultimately, losing your hair is rubbish, and it feels like your also losing a huge part of your identity. However, my wig gives me confidence, happiness and helps me feel like me again so I can keep cracking on with life and doing the things that I love. Without it, I don’t know what I would do, and so the donations going in to providing wigs for those with alopecia is hugely important, so individuals don't have to constantly be reminded of their hair loss and can continue with everyday life feeling slightly better.

Alopecia and hair loss can really get in the way of your life, but Alopecia UK provides huge support for those affected, and through research we have hope in finding a treatment!

Thank you very much for reading this and any donations would be very much appreciated.

Thank you xx Maisie MacDonald