30kms in 30 days for axSpA

Hi, my name is Shaylen. I am 23 years old and have axial spondyloarthritis, or as some people know it, ankylosing spondylitis. 

I have decided to raise money to help people living with this disease improve their quality of life, and also to raise awareness in the hopes I might help someone else that thinks they just have back pain. 

I am going to walk 30km in 30 days starting on the 1st March 2025. Not only will it help this cause, but staying active helps combat disease progression. All donations will go to Arthritis Australia.

Axial spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine and pelvic joints, though it can affect other joints and organs too. It is an autoimmune disease that affects around 2% of Australians. 

There is an average delay of nearly 7 years for someone to get a diagnosis. I am very lucky that mine has been caught early, it means I have been able to get on top of managing it before irreparable damage has been done. I have my older sister to thank for this. She also has this disease and was able to point me in the right direction to get the help I needed. If the disease is left untreated, it can slowly fuse the spine together. There is a genetic component of axial spondyloarthritis, the HLA-B27 gene. BUT just because you have the gene, doesn't necessarily mean you will go on to develop the disease. 

Axial spondyloarthritis turned my life upside down. I was kicking goals in life, had just finished my plumbing apprenticeship and was very healthy and active. Next minute I was hardly able to move and complete essential daily tasks. I have had to make a lot of adjustments in my life but I will not let it stop me from being happy. I am so grateful for the support of my family and friends. Now that I am managing the disease with medication and physical therapy, I'm living my life to the fullest and taking every opportunity I can. 

Your support and donations are greatly appreciated, thank you.