Louise Praill runs The Great Yorkshire run in aid of Sincere Support
Louise Praill, A courageous Sheffield woman is defying the odds by taking part in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run in aid of Sincere Support despite living with a life-threatening disease.
Louise, who will turn 40 before the big race, was diagnosed with renal failure 20 years ago and now faces the prospect of a full kidney transplant - a serious operation that is not a guaranteed success.
But Louise, from Birley, is defying doctors and her family to run the 10k race on September 5 for our charity Sincere Support -which provides help for parents and families with sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved. Louise said: "When I was diagnosed at 20 it was a complete shock. I didn't smoke or drink excessively; it just came out of the blue.
"I only have one kidney now and have been on antibiotics for as long as I can remember. I constantly have blood and water infections and recently the consultant told me the function of my kidney is decreasing. He said the disease has taken grip.
"But the Great Yorkshire Run is a challenge I'm really looking forward to. It will be hard, but every step I take will be a little bit of help for all those families, so it's worth it."
Single mum Louise, who nearly died in January after a bout of septicaemia, is starting work with a personal trainer at Ponds Forge gym to prepare for the race. She says her ultimate goal is to run the London Marathon.
Her children, James, 5, Molly, 12, and George, 18, are all supporting their mum in her challenge and George is looking to enter himself to run alongside her.
Louise has recently undergone a "massive change of lifestyle" including switching to a vegan diet to give her body a fighting chance before the operation. Once on the donor list Louise will have to wait for an appropriate match - a process that can take years.
She is now trying to embrace running, particularly as the race begins outside her hair salon Volumè, on Arundel Gate.
Louise said: "This is the city I love, the race starts outside my own little shop and I'm running for a really worthy cause.
"I've never done anything like this before though so I need to start some serious training. I'm already on the look out for some second hand trainers from ebay!
"I am running with a knackered engine though - I just hope I get round before they re-open all the roads! I might just have to hop on a bus on the way back if I'm struggling."
The 2010 Bupa Great Yorkshire Run aims to attract more than 10,000 participants for the first time in its history. Entry levels have increased year-on-year with 4,500 participating in the inaugural race in 2007, 6,000 in 2008 and more than 8,000 last September.
Hugh Dennis, from TV hits Mock the Week and Outnumbered is joining Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale's Bob Hope), semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent Sophie Mei and Sheffield City Council leader Paul Scriven in this year's race.
The route starts on Arundel Gate, and then heads along Penistone Road to Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium, before returning to the city centre.
Entry is £26 for adults, while youngsters can sign-up to the 2010 Bupa Junior and Mini Great Yorkshire Run for just £9.
The Bupa Junior and Mini Great Yorkshire Run will for the first time take place on the same day as the main race (Sept 5) and involve a city centre route. Youngsters aged 3-8 can take part in the 1.5k Mini Run, while the 3k Junior Run is for ages 9-14.
Anyone interested in running and supporting Sincere Support can enter online now at:www.greatrun.org
Louise can be sponsored by going to www.justgiving.com and searching for Louise Praill.
