The Cycling Scientists: Land's End to John o'Groats (LEJOG)

Epidermolysis bullosa, which is more commonly known as butterfly skin disease, is a rare genetic condition which causes the skin to tear and blister at the mildest of touches. This occurs due to an alteration in a patient’s DNA coding, which ultimately results in the layers of their skin being poorly knitted together; causing the stitching to easily break when touched. This devastating disease means that patients feel continuous pain and is often a barrier to many aspects of life which we would take for granted; for example, playing as a child, outings, and even eating and brushing our teeth. As such, living with EB can, at its best be very uncomfortable, and at its worst, be debilitating and life-shortening.

DEBRA is an amazing charity that helps patients and their families cope with the disease. As an organisation striving to make a difference for their patients, they fund research into the development of cures and new technologies, allowing those with EB to live a more comfortable life. We first started working with EB patients around five years ago, when we were asked to develop a spray technology which would help to reduce the long-term severity of blisters that occur in the mouth. During this project, we met numerous patients and were shocked by how much they suffer on a day-to-day basis.

This has urged us to try and find ways that we can make a difference - outside of the lab. In order to try and increase the awareness of this disease, we decided that we would try and push ourselves outside of our own comfort zones. Therefore, as keen cyclists, we have decided to cycle the length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise awareness and money for this amazing cause. So, in September this year, we will begin our 12 day journey, covering 1000 miles completely unsupported, to try and help those with EB.

Please help us make a difference by donating to a very worth charity!