Sam Edmonds

I'm taking part in the 2017 Melbourne Marathon Festival and hoping to raise much needed awareness for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am running 42.185km.

My sister suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is a hideous neuro-degenerative disease resulting from an inflammation of the Trigeminal nerve in the jaw that causes excruciating pain for sufferers. It can be triggered by almost anything including; pressure, heat or cold, or even simply eating and drinking. The pain radiates throughout the face and body and makes everyday activities impossible. Unfortunately traditional Pain medications are often ineffective and treatment is extremely limited. There is no cure currently and it is can be a life time illness.

When undiagnosed suicide rates are quite high as the pain is often so unbearable. This unfortunately has led to its nickname "the suicide disease". Roughly 1 in 8,000 people a year contract this illness so although rare - it can be debilitating. 

The Brian Foundation is doing research in Australia into causes and treatment as well as a lot of other good work. If you feel led please donate.

Mostly though I've decided to use the 42.185km I am running on October the 15th to raise awareness in a small way of this disease and hopefully get some more people talking about invisible pain illnesses like Trigemenal Neuralgia and the harms associated to sufferers and loved ones.

Many thanks,

Sam