A RADIOGRAPHER from Halwill with a life-threatening disease has completed her 'amazing journey' — the first leg of a sponsored walk across the country to raise awareness of her rare condition.

Kim Balsdon, 21, was diagnosed with atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome — aHUS — in November 2013.

When she was diagnosed she was in her final year of study of radiotherapy and oncology at Cardiff University and up until that point had always been in good health.

One of only 200 people in the country with the condition, Kim's immune system and bloods cells are affected by the disease.

The body's immune system attacks its own blood cells, which leads to the formation of small blood fragments that can get stuck in the kidneys and other body organs.

It can cause renal failure, which leads to the failure of other vital organs.

On this year's 'Rare Disease Day' on February 26, Kim started the 'Journey for Life' — a sponsored walk from Illand near Launceston to the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

Kim walked the first 50-mile leg from Illand to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to play her part in raising awareness of aHUS and funds for Kidney Research UK and aHUS UK's 'Answers for aHUS' campaign.

The 50-mile walk took place over two and a half days with more than 25 walkers from Kim's family and friends getting involved at various stages of the event.

Five walkers managed to complete the full 50 miles — Kim, along with Jeremy Appleton, Jude Bray, Sharon Dufty and Sue Bolt finished at the RD&E with aching limbs and sore feet to be greeted by a welcoming team — Kim's mum and dad, other aHUS sufferers and their families, consultant Dr Coralie Bingham, a team of renal nurses and a Kidney Research UK representative.

The group's wonderful efforts have raised around £6,500.

Dr Bingham said: 'It is very rewarding to see that now we have such an effective treatment a patient can walk 50 miles in a weekend to help raise money for future research.'

Kim Balsdon said: 'I have been overwhelmed by the response we received on the walk; we achieved both our goals.

'Not only were we able to talk to many people about my condition and raise their awareness, we also exceeded our goal of £500 sponsorship by 13 times, which will hopefully make a difference in the research and answers that can be provided to aHUS sufferers around the country. It has been incredible!'

Kim is determined to continue to raise awareness and funds for the 'Answers for aHUS' campaign and is planning many more charity events throughout the year in North Wales, where she is a therapeutic radiographer and in West Devon too.

She said: 'I am so grateful to be receiving the drug eculuzimab on the NHS and at a time when everyone seems to be happy to moan about the NHS I want to put the record straight.

'The care that I have received has been first class both in Wales and England — I cannot praise the RD&E staff enough for their care and support, the nurses who deliver my infusions every fortnight and NICE for licensing the life-saving drug back in February.

'Without it my life would be very different.'

Kim's grandfather and other members of her family had suffered with aHUS in the past.

Until recently, those who were diagnosed faced a poor prognosis, but research has led to advancements in treatment of the disease, and Kim's fundraising efforts should help research continue into aHUS.

Kim and everyone involved with the walk expressed thanks to everyone who supported their efforts, including the businesses who supported them with refreshments and car parking for the event.

To find out more about aHUS visit the website http://www.ahusuk.org">www.ahusuk.org