Nicole's Story

My Brighton Marathon for Mast Cell Action

I ran the Brighton Marathon to raise money for Mast Cell Action, a charity that means a great deal to me. My older sister, Jessie, lives with multiple complex health conditions, including mast cell activation issues and gastroparesis, and I’ve watched her face every day with a strength I can only hope to match.

At just 27, Jessie’s life changed dramatically. She became unable to tolerate food, and now lives with a paralysed stomach, a condition known as gastroparesis. She relies on a nasal feeding tube and a gastric pacemaker just to survive. Eating causes her intense pain and sickness, and her body struggles to absorb the nutrients it needs. Her electrolytes drop dangerously low, sometimes leading to blackouts and even seizures. On top of this, Jessie also has severe endometriosis and bowel issues that require strong laxatives, further depleting her already limited energy.

To make things even more challenging, Jessie reacts severely to many medications. Some of her reactions have included anaphylactic shock, seizures, and full-body muscle spasms. Yet despite all of this, she keeps going , quietly, courageously, and without complaint.

Running the marathon was my way of honouring her fight. It was my first ever marathon, and I finished in 4 hours and 23 minutes. My amazing mum also ran it, finishing about an hour later, and sharing that experience with her made the day even more special.

The first half of the race felt incredible, I was loving the energy and support along the route. The next five miles were harder, but manageable. The final six miles? Pure grit. I was exhausted, my legs were burning, and I honestly didn’t know how I’d make it to the end. But then I’d think of Jessie. Of her strength, her daily battles, and how she keeps moving forward despite everything. My pain was temporary. Hers isn’t. That thought carried me through every step.

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me, donated, or cheered me on. Every bit of encouragement meant the world. I’m proud to have run this marathon, not just as a physical challenge, but as a tribute to Jessie and to raise awareness for people living with mast cell and related conditions.