Victoria Ganley

In this last 18 months, My best Friend Vick, who was diagnosed with Crohns when she was 16, has been through way more than the average 25 year old should have. Ever since I have known her, (we met at uni) she has always been very open about her condition. It has always seemed to me that her life has been dominated by Crohns, and in 2009 i realised just how much, when Doctors advised her that she may need to look at giving up food. For 2 years my best friend stuck to an elemental medical diet, that consisted entirely of milkshake type drinks, as her body was longer being able to process food like everyone else, and when it did, it just left her in pain. During this time, Vicky succesffully completed the Great North Run, raising money for Crohns Charities in the process. When she completed this run, Vicky had not eaten solid food for over a year and a half. At the beginning of 2011, further tests revealed her condition has worsened, and her entire large intestine was becoming diseased, something that could increase her risk of bowel cancer dramatically. There was little time for decisions and Vick was taken to Leeds General for a 6hr operation to remove her entire intestinal organ. The recovery period is long and ongoing, but last week, me and her, went out and ate our first meal together for over 2 years. I want to nominate vick, because this year she has been told she cannot run the GNR because of her operation, and she was gutted.