John Tett has always been the pillar of his family. Recently, at 76 years old, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis.
Most people have never heard of this condition and that is exactly why the Tett family have taken it upon themselves to help raise awareness. Fortunately for John, his diagnosis was given to him in the early stages of the condition, thanks to a brilliant hospital and NHS staff. Many who are diagnosed are not as fortunate. Amyloidosis is all too often either caught late or mistaken for other illnesses.
John isn’t just walking for himself; he’s walking so that others might get a diagnosis sooner.
The Challenge: 500k in 90 Days
The Kickoff: John’s first ever Park-run
To launch this mission with the energy it deserves, John did something he’d never done before. On the 2nd of May at the age of 76, he completed his first-ever 5k Park-run at West Park in Wolverhampton.
This wasn’t just a walk in the park; it was the official start of a gruelling three-month journey. His family were there to cheer him across his first finish line.
The Park-run was just the beginning. Over these 3 months, John has committed to walking a total of 500 kilometres (roughly 310 miles). The target was originally 400 km but by the end of May he’d already reached 226 km so the family decided to raise the bar! They also upped their fundraising target from £2,000 to £2,500.
John needs to average 39km every single week and has so far met or exceeded this target each week. For a man of 76 managing the daily toll and sleepless nights of amyloidosis, this is a monumental task. Every kilometer he logs is a conversation started about this rare disease.
The Goal: Awareness First
While the family are raising funds for research and support, their primary mission is visibility.
- They want people to recognise the word amyloidosis.
- They want to support the research that leads to earlier detection.
- They want to prove that a diagnosis doesn’t mean standing still.
How You Can Help
You don’t just have to donate to make a difference. You can help the family raise awareness by:
- Sharing their JustGiving page: help them reach people who may never have heard of amyloidosis.
- Following the journey: they will be posting regular updates and photos as John hits his milestones.
- Donating: if you can, every penny goes toward vital research and patient support.
Every step John takes is a step toward bringing amyloidosis out of the shadows. Thank you for standing—and walking—with him.
Updates from the family
May 31: “Team Tett has been busy on new ground! Mum and Dad have been out with their litter pickers, cleaning up the paths through Perton, Lichfield, and working alongside the Canal & River Trust (CRT). Having Mum out there helping clear the towpaths and streets makes this a true team effort. They are leaving every area better than they found it while smashing the kilometres for Amyloidosis UK!
