3 April 2024

Eliza and Imogen are running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Twins Trust on 7 April.

The sisters are taking on the challenge to help raise awareness of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). They also want to support the work of Twins Trust, ensuring other families receive the same standard of care that they did. 

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 percent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins). TTTS can also occur in triplet or higher order pregnancies with monochorionic twins. 

Sharing her story, Eliza was diagnosed with stage 2 TTTS at 17 weeks’ gestation, crediting the information she had found through Twins Trust as a vital first step in changing the outcome of her pregnancy. 

Eliza’s twins Jackson Xander Dunn and Jonah George Dunn were born at 34 weeks and 4 days. They are now happy, healthy 21-month-olds.

Eliza said: “Running the London Landmarks Half Marathon is of particular significance to our family. St George’s Hospital, based in London, performed lifesaving treatment for our boys. It is also for this reason that Jonah’s middle name is George.”  

“The maternity guidance I read on Twins Trust’s website helped to change the course of my pregnancy. The first hospital didn’t have specialist expertise or follow all of the NICE guidelines  and it is for this reason I transferred to a Twins Trust accredited hospital. Due to TTTS I then received treatment at St George’s Hospital.”

Imogen said: “Running a half marathon is a huge challenge for me but I really want to raise awareness of TTTS and to ensure other families receive the same care that my sister and her husband had.”

Eliza and Imogen’s family will be at the finish line cheering them on and the sisters are keen to encourage others who are thinking about taking part in an event to challenge themselves.

Imogen said: “Before signing up I wasn’t a runner like my sister. I have been following a structured training plan and this has helped me to fit my training in around work and other commitments.” 

Eliza added: “Training for the half marathon has helped me to make a little bit of time for myself. Before I had the boys, I was a keen runner and this challenge has helped me to prioritise myself. My longer training runs have been just an hour out of the weekend and it’s something I am going to keep up.”  

Staff from Twins Trust  will be there on the day to cheer Eliza and Imogen on as they make their way to the finish line. If you would like to support them, go to Eliza’s page and Imogen’s page.