Catherine Courtney-Diggins

In 2023, Catherine Courtney-Diggins was diagnosed with syringomyelia, a rare neurological condition that affects roughly eight in every 100,000 people. A fluid-filled cyst, called a syrinx, had formed in her spinal cord, gradually expanding and damaging the nerves connecting her brain to her left upper body.

The turning point came in December that year, when Catherine underwent cervical decompression surgery at RNOH. Surgeons widened the space at the base of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain and spinal cord.

Catherine says: “Thanks to their incredible expertise, my syrinx has nearly vanished. While I still experience paresthesia on my left side, I’m reassured that the rest of my body won’t be affected. The care I received from RNOH was life-changing. I’ll never forget the compassion and skill of Mr Haden and the London Irish Ward team. They made a difficult time feel safer and more hopeful.”

Having been fit and a keen runner when Catherine was first diagnosed, she feared that she wouldn’t be able to have children or even run again. Fast forward 18 months post-surgery and she is now a proud mum to a baby girl born earlier this year and is rebuilding her running strength step by step. Catherine will be taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon for us in October.

Catherine explains: “Running gives me a sense of freedom and I am so thankful to be able to run. I thought what better way to celebrate my journey and say thank you to RNOH than by running and raising money?”

We’re sending thanks and lots of luck to Catherine and to all of our Royal Parks runners for their special day.

Click to see Catherine's fundraiser.