Patient Liaison Group - member biographies
Carol Webley-Brown - Deputy Chair
Living with high blood pressure for the past 12 years and developing diabetes last year, did not deter Forest Hill resident Carol Webley-Brown from running in this year's British 10k London run. The mother of three ran to raise money for the UK's blood pressure charity, the Blood Pressure Association (BPA) of which she is a member.
Carol, 49, from Brockley Rise, says: "A crucial reason why I wanted to take part in the London 10k, is to raise more awareness of high blood pressure amongst black women and in particular - African-Caribbean women. Black women are 25 per cent more likely to develop high blood pressure than other women in the UK. Because of this, I personally feel it is so important that we are more aware about high blood pressure, and its consequences if left unchecked and untreated, as strokes are so common in our community." She says: "I've only ever taken part in local fun runs before, but I was very keen to take part in this 10k, especially as my own charity had places and I was determined to finish the course."
Carol continues: "Finding out last year that I had diabetes was a bit of a blow. As well as having to take medication every day for my high blood pressure, I now also have to take insulin and tablets for diabetes, but thankfully, they are both under control now." For further information contact the Blood Pressure Association on 020 8772 4985 or visit www.bpassoc.org.uk.