Get Involved
We are always looking for people to volunteer and support our mission. There are lots of different ways that you can support us in lowering the unacceptably high rate of misdiagnosed aortic dissections and bring consistency to the whole treatment pathway. We wouldn’t be able to continue our work and activities without your help.
You could join us to host or lend your patient voice to a future education event, use us to provide patient and relative input into your research plans, or as a patient help shape aortic research projects in collaboration with the leading aortic centres in the UK and Ireland. If you would like to raise awareness of aortic dissection or help support our fundraising efforts then please let us know.
Please get involved and support the charity for aortic dissection today!
Make a donation
Every donation is very gratefully received
Make a one-off or regular contribution
Increase education
Hold an education event with your community
Become a patient or medical volunteer
Support research
Your experience and opinions matter
Help shape the research agenda for aortic dissection
Sign the campaign
To lower the unacceptably high rate of misdiagnosed aortic dissections in A&E across the UK and Ireland
My brother who was 32, was treated for a heart attack, he went into hospital on a Friday and was kept there with no scans or specialist Doctors and died on the Sunday. This petition is so important.
He had told them my Grandad and Mum had died from an aneurysm and even then no one listened. Early diagnosis is crucial. How many others have lost their lives this way?
Fundriase
Every year, compassionate people like you help make a real difference by raising funds for those affected by aortic dissection. Your support brings hope and tangible change to patients and their families.
Whether you’re a keen baker, an avid runner, or someone who enjoys bringing people together, there’s a fundraising idea that’s just right for you:
- Bake Sale: Whip up your favourite treats and host a sale for friends, family, or colleagues.
- Fun Run: Challenge yourself to a run – be it a 5k or a full marathon.
- Quiz Night: Organise an online or in-person quiz and invite others to join in support.
- Coffee Morning: Host friends for a relaxed morning of coffee and conversation, all for a good cause.
- Get Creative: Whatever your hobby – crafting, gaming, singing or something else you are passionate about – turn it into a fundraising event.
Read our fundraising information to help you plan your event and make the most of your efforts. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact.
Run for Aortic Dissection
Find Your Perfect Race
Join Team Aorta and participate in a wide range of running events to fundraise for aortic dissection research and support. The UK and Ireland are home to an incredible selection of running events, from picturesque park runs to thrilling city marathons. No matter your level of experience or preferred distance, there’s a race for you.
To find the perfect event near you, simply choose your region on the map and explore the exciting races taking place in your area.
Consider taking on the fun and thrilling Run Alton Towers 5K, or immerse yourself in city marathons that showcase iconic landmarks, such as the Royal Parks Half, Edinburgh Half, Cardiff Half, and the Brighton Marathon. For those looking to achieve a personal best, the fast and flat course of the Manchester Marathon is perfect, or if you’re seeking an adventure further afield, consider the Amsterdam Marathon, Paris Marathon, and Barcelona Marathon. With such a diverse selection of races, there’s an event for everyone to participate in and create unforgettable memories as part of Team Aorta.
If you have a different running event in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
We’ll provide you with a Team Aorta technical t-shirt, assist you in your fundraising efforts, and offer plenty of love and support leading up to the big day.
Other Fundraising Challenges
Considering a different challenge to support our aortic dissection work?
Perhaps the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the Inca trail in Peru, a trek across the Sahara Desert or the Great Wall of China?
Just reach out to us and we’ll supply a Team Aorta technical t-shirt, help with your fundraising, and provide lots of encouragement as you prepare for the big day.
Donate £50 and help support our research into preventing more aortic dissection related deaths
Your donation helps to fund our aortic dissection projects, which support those with and at risk of the condition.
Supporter Stories
We celebrate the incredible journeys and contributions of individuals who have joined us in our mission to save lives from aortic dissection, delayed or misdiagnosis, and improve survival. Each of these supporters has made a difference in their own unique way, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to our cause.
Tim
Tim’s life took an unexpected turn in the summer of 2019 when he was sent home from the hospital following sudden back pain. That unforgettable night, his aorta ruptured, and his wife Caz had to perform CPR to save his life. It was a harrowing experience for both of them, as the hospital had given Tim the all-clear just hours before.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Tim and Caz have become dedicated supporters of aortic dissection patient support. Their passion for raising awareness and helping others has led them to cheer on runners at races, organise raffles, and even rally their running team, the Belvedere Plodders, to fundraise for the cause.
“I’m battling demons every day but no matter how hard they beat on my door I keep telling myself I’ve been blessed with a second chance, so I’m going to make every day count”
Eltayeb
A consultant cardiac surgeon from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Eltayeb has dedicated his career to repairing aortic dissections and saving lives. His extensive experience and expertise in the field have made a profound impact on many patients and their families.
Driven by his commitment to support for those affected by aortic dissection, Eltayeb ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon helping raise much-needed funds for aortic disease research.
Eltayeb’s passion for running and his profession came together in this event, as he strived to improve the quality of life for aortic dissection patients and support the charity’s mission to increase survival rates and enhance patient care.
“I loved it. I would have enjoyed the race anyway but for the charity, it makes it a whole different level”
Karen
In June 2023, Karen’s life changed forever with the sudden and unexpected loss of her amazing brother, Phil, at age 50 to a misdiagnosed type A dissected aortic aneurysm. This condition, which went undetected in Phil, a strong, healthy, and active man, had a profound impact on Karen and her family.
In honour of Phil and his love for running, Karen and her family decided to participate in the Wilmslow Half Marathon raising funds for and awareness of aortic dissection. The charity’s mission to improve diagnosis and increase survival rates resonated deeply with Karen, as early detection, genetic testing, and greater awareness within A&E departments can make all the difference. Karen’s own thoracic aneurysm diagnosis, made following sibling screening because of Phil’s sudden death, has made her even more grateful for each day and determined to support the charity in its life-saving mission.
Taking on her longest run to date, Karen found strength in her brother’s memory. Though she is not an avid runner, she embraced the challenge, shedding tears but feeling blessed to be able to participate in his memory.
“First run wearing my TADCT t-shirt gave me extra Va Va Voom and also a bit of anxiety that my Aneurysm is real”
Paul
Amidst the global pandemic in 2022, Paul faced a life-threatening crisis of his own at the age of 44 when his aorta dissected and ruptured due to a major aneurysm. Thanks to the swift actions of his local hospital staff and the expertise of a top surgeon at Wythenshawe, Paul survived the ordeal and began his journey to recovery.
Two years on, Paul’s determination and strength have led him to tackle a half marathon, a remarkable feat considering his long recovery following a type A dissection.
“It was a real honour to be able to run for the charity, not only because it’s such a worthy cause and run by amazing people but also because physically I can’t believe I was able to do it”
Lauren
In 2014, Lauren’s father, Ian, passed away suddenly from a type A aortic dissection while cycling. Ian, known as the life and soul of the party, was a fit and healthy man who was loved by many. Lauren is committed to raising funds for aortic dissection research, in hopes of preventing others from experiencing the same pain her family did.
Lauren’s efforts extended beyond fundraising; as a specialist physiotherapist in Major Trauma at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, she works within her hospital to educate her colleagues, specifically the care group at St George’s Hospital, about aortic dissection. She believes that early detection, genetic testing, and Emergency Service knowledge can mean the difference between life and death.
Honouring her father’s passion for fitness, Lauren decided to participate in several running events, including the Battersea Half Marathon, Brighton Half Marathon, and the Copenhagen Marathon. Her journey of strength, love, and resilience is a testament to her father’s memory and the charity’s mission.
“This is for all of the people who have lost their lives to and are living with aortic dissection. I will forever be in awe of your bravery and I will never stop raising awareness”
Grace
Living with Turner Syndrome, a condition bearing some similarities to Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, has presented its unique set of challenges, including an aortic aneurysm which requires constant monitoring and medication.
Despite these personal health obstacles, a tenacious spirit shines through. Grace undertook the formidable challenge of walking the 55km London Ultra Marathon, a feat that will serve not only as a personal triumph but also as a platform to raise awareness and support for those grappling with similar conditions, and more broadly, for aortic dissection patients.
Her determination is inspiring to others facing personal health challenges, and her participation contributed significantly to the mission of raising awareness about aortic dissection.
“Living with a genetic disorder that predisposes me to aortic aneurysms and dissections, I have a unique opportunity to leverage my personal experiences to contribute positively”
Raise funds for AD (for FREE) while you shop
Whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for us with easyfundraising. There are over 4,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation. Join for free at the Aortic Dissection easyfundraising page.
Privacy Policy | Accessibility
The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
Registered charity in England & Wales No. 1191420
Registered charity in Scotland No. SC051517
PO Box 812, Hope Valley, Chesterfield S40 9QY
The information and materials on this site are for general information purposes only. This site is not designed to provide individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns, please speak to your GP. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 999 immediately.