Katy Newitt, was back to run in this year's Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon with the intention of raising funds for Dubai-based non-profit organisation, Foresight - a charity aiming to help find a cure for those with hereditary eye disease.
Katy was diagnosed at the age of 20 with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative condition of the retina.
She's a major force behind Foresight and their team of 60 in the marathon is a means to raise money and awareness of the condition she lives with.
Katy has run the 10k race of the Dubai Marathon every year since 2005 accompanied by a sighted guide.
‘I hadn’t trained as much as in previous years – but I just got out there and soaked up the atmosphere,’ said Katy.
Foresight was formed four years ago when Katy discovered that major advances in research meant that cures for hereditary retinal eye disease could potentially be found. With help from her friends, Foresight was born and became a branch of Tamkeen.
‘It's not a question of if anymore, but when the cure for RP becomes available,’ explains Katy, ‘so the sense of urgency is critical to accelerate the pace of research so that people who are losing their sight now may see a cure within their lifetimes.’
For details about RP and ways you can help visit www.foresightrp.com.
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