Shaziya Asif was diagnosed with a rare and incurable condition called Amyloidosis in October 2015 following several visits to doctors since January 2014. Unfortunately she passed away on Monday 18th April 2016. 

Amyloidosis is a group of rare but serious conditions caused by deposits of abnormal protein, called amyloid, in tissues and organs throughout the body.

Amyloid is a description of proteins which have folded abnormally and then collected together. In this form they do not break down as easily as normal proteins and can build up in tissues and organs. The amyloid deposits occasionally only affect one part of the body (localised amyloidosis), but more often several different parts of the body are affected (systemic amyloidosis), such as the heart, kidneys, liver, or nerves.

Without treatment to address the underlying cause, the amyloid deposits can eventually lead to organ failure and death – sometimes within only a year or two. There is currently no cure for Amyloidosis. For some people, Amyloidosis is characterised by periods of feeling lightheaded or fainting, particularly after standing or sitting up; shortness of breath; weight loss; lack of appetite; chronic fatigue and weakness. Amyloidosis also shares some common symptoms with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as diarrhoea or constipation; abdominal (stomach) pain and cramping. Amyloidosis can occur in individuals who are fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. Therefore if anyone is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please see your doctor.

There are around 30 different proteins that can misfold and form amyloid, which is why there are many different types of amyloidosis.

Overall, about 600 new cases of amyloidosis are diagnosed in the UK every year and most occur in older people.

Before Shaziya fell ill, she was a very active person and participated in various sporting activities from 10k's, marathons and triathlons to martial arts. Shaziya had an outgoing personality, and loved attending events and concerts such as The Edinburgh Festival, Pink, Coldplay, Adelle and Skerryvore . Therefore in Shaziya's memory we are organising a Skerryvore concert in Buchlyvie Village Hall on Saturday 10th December 2016. Tickets will on sale from late September so keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details: www.facebook.com/shaziyaasiffundraising

All donations will be directed to the research and development of new treatments for amyloidosis in the National Amyloidosis Centre, based at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

The generosity of donors, will undoubtedly make major contributions to alleviating the suffering and saving the lives of many thousands of individuals afflicted by a terrible and hitherto incurable disease. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit our page, we greatly appreciate your support.