Benjamin Drainville

I’m running the London Marathon 2027 to fight for lung health!

Asthma has been a factor in the majority of my life. I developed the disease at a young age and went through many struggles. As an active kid, it prevented me from doing some of the things I loved to do. There were seasonal struggles, but as I reached adulthood, the symptoms lessened, thanks to new medications that were working. Up to the age of 40 though, there is no way the disease would allow me to pick up running, as there is a significant requirement for lung capacity. Shortly after my 40^th birthday, I decided to remove dairy from my diet, and my asthma symptoms nearly fully went away. I had a new lease on life and picked up running shortly thereafter and have fully fallen in love with the sport.

Unfortunately, though, I managed to pass on the disease to both of my daughters. Breighan, my oldest, has had bouts of bad asthma (more so as a child) and still deals with it today. She can keep it under control with medication, but it worsens seasonally and when she develops a cold. My youngest daughter, Kaedance, has not been as lucky. She has had severe struggles throughout her life. She’s been hospitalized numerous occasions and spent time at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. She now sees a specialist in Hamilton regularly. Doctors have deemed the severity of her asthma to be amongst the worst they’ve ever seen. Her struggles are daily, even though she takes a high dose of medication and gets a monthly injection that only a handful of patients receive nationally. It affects her way of life significantly.

Asthma and Lung UK provide support for people just like Kaedance and Breighan, who may have difficulty in coping with this terrible disease. The money raised, will also support research that can hopefully, someday, cure or lessen the symptoms of lung diseases.

I would love and very much appreciate your support.

Thank you so much for your consideration!