Emily's marathon run raises $4,500 for rare disease that took her father
Emily Nunn completed a marathon to raise funds and awareness after her father died from multiple system atrophy.
Emily Nunn crossed the finish line of the Coastal Pathway Ultra marathon in just over five and a half hours on Sunday, despite having never run more than a few kilometres before. Her father died two years ago from multiple system atrophy, a rare disease that damages movement, balance and body functions that work automatically.
The disease got worse in waves, slowly taking away his independence piece by piece until he died of sudden cardiac arrest at 65. Nunn trained for the marathon during hockey season while working shifts in the Launceston General Hospital emergency department.
Her workmates and partner ran with her for parts of the race, forming a support crew that carried her through. The marathon raised more than $4,500 for Multiple System Atrophy Australia.
"If you'd given me that at the start of the day, I would have bitten your hand off," Nunn said.
Why it mattersThe money funds research into and support for a disease that kills slowly and takes people's independence. Nunn's achievement shows what makes fundraising matter to people.
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