Sharon Magee

Why I am fundraising

I’m living with pulmonary hypertension, a rare and life‑shortening condition. Due to this, I also have problems with my liver and kidney function, and I have a large hole in my heart that went undetected at birth.

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure in the lungs. It happens when the blood vessels in the lungs become narrowed or damaged, making it much harder for blood to flow through them.

This means my poor wee open heart has to work much harder just to pump blood around my body. Over time, this can weaken the heart and reduce how much oxygen reaches the rest of my body.

Everyday things that many people take for granted—walking, climbing stairs, even simple tasks—can leave me breathless, exhausted, and unwell.

Pulmonary hypertension doesn’t just affect the heart and lungs, it can affect the brain over time too, and that’s a major worry for me.

Because my body struggles to get enough oxygen and maintain healthy blood flow, the brain may not always receive what it needs to function at its best. Over time, this can affect memory, concentration, and thinking.

This may lead to cognitive decline, changes in memory, decision-making, and everyday functioning and in some cases can develop into early onset dementia.

For me, these conditions feel closely intertwined, affecting both my physical health and how I experience everyday life and it’s callenges.

Living with Dementia

Dementia isn’t just about memory loss. It can affect how a person thinks, communicates, understands the world around them, and manages even the simplest daily tasks.

It can mean:

• Forgetting things that have just happened
• Struggling to find the right words
• Feeling confused, overwhelmed, or anxious
• Losing confidence and independence

For families, it can be just as hard. Loved ones often have to adjust, provide more support, and watch someone they care about change over time. It can be emotional, challenging, and at times heartbreaking — but also brings moments of love, patience, and connection that matter more than ever.

Why I’m Fundraising

Living with Dementia is challenging and I want to help people remain positive and keep going, like I try to do every day.

I’m fundraising to:

• Raise awareness of dementia
• Help others understand what living with this condition really means
• In memory or people I have loved and lost due to Dementia

Every donation, message of support, or share truly means the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being part of this journey.

Thank You