Kate was diagnosed with this condition several years ago, and it has been a journey filled with anxiety and fear, but also strength. When Kate was initially diagnosed, medics were talking about the possibility of severe liver damage, which caused Kate huge anxiety. Thankfully after a number of years of ongoing venesection and monitoring through MRI and various other scans, Kate is now in maintenance, although at the time of monitoring blood tests and ongoing consultations with her consultant, this is still a stressful time for her.
Kate will never be free of this condition, but since her diagnosis, she has shown strength and resilience and has been focussed on raising awareness, helping others, and raising money for Haemochromatosis UK.
She has completed the Great North Swim, three times, and this will be her 4th. However, this time, the Great North Swim will be the final leg of a 24km swim challenge over the month leading up to the swim.
Kate will be teaming up with her Husband Chris, who will be aiming to complete a total distance of 300km rowing which will finish the day before the great north swim. Whatever events Kate has done, Chris has always been alongside her, with unfaltering support. As her Husband, he has been on every bit of the Haemochromatosis journey with her, sometimes having sleepless nights of worry, but needing to be strong for her, and being her supporter and cheerleader at every Great North Swim event, but also each outdoor training swim, all of her medical appointments, and everything along the way, with Chris saying ‘her fight is my fight.’
This year Kate and Chris stand together in the fight against Haemochromatosis and both take on the fight together. Please support them in whatever way you can

Kate Hayward