Pharmacist, allergic to sunlight, takes on Sunrise Snowdon

Liz Willmott, Superintendent Pharmacist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham thought she’d never be able to climb Snowdon on account of a rare condition which means her skin mustn’t be in direct sunlight. However, in April 2018, Liz will be scaling England and Wales’ highest mountain, at night!

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an extremely rare condition, estimated to affect only 10,000 people worldwide which means that direct sunlight burns under the skin, causing painful swelling and extreme sensitivity to changes in temperature which can last for many days. The condition cannot be treated by sun cream and so when going outside Liz has to cover every part of her body, even when the weather is overcast. Liz’s condition could eventually cause her liver to fail, requiring her to have a liver transplant.

Liz will take on Sunrise Snowdon with her husband and their 17 year old daughter, colleagues from the Pharmacy department and Liz Whitworth, whose husband, Kieran Whitworth, worked as a Pharmacy Dispenser at QEHB, but sadly developed aggressive cancer and passed away.

Liz Willmott said: “Kieran was such a positive force of energy in the department. He was always smiling, even whilst he was ill, he would pop down to the Pharmacy and try and help out on days where he felt stronger. His death has been a huge loss to the department. Liz and I still meet up occasionally and when I told her I was doing Sunrise Snowdon, she wanted to take part. Kieran’s ashes are scattered on Mount Snowdon, so it is a special place for her. She is going to raise funds for Oncology and I am raising funds for the Liver department.”

Sophie Carroll, Fundraising Officer said: “Sunrise Snowdon is such an exciting challenge, and it’s great to have so many people taking part. Liz and Liz’s stories of overcoming such adversity are so inspiring and I hope they enjoy the event, and reach their fundraising targets. All monies raised from Sunrise Snowdon will go towards providing ‘added extras’ over and above what the NHS can fund.”

To learn more, and to donate go to: justgiving.com/Seven-Snowdon-scalers.