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Aran Gordon, 44-year old T.Rowe Price executive and Iron Disorders Institute Board of Trustees Chairman, is a man
of his word. He vowed to complete the physically challenging Marathon Des Sables, a 150 mile footrace in the Sahara Desert.
Aran, a Baltimore resident, formerly lived in Connecticut and worked in New York City. He was a competitive swimmer from age 6 and
ran his first marathon in 1984 with very little training. He was a natural athlete and from there after began running major marathons,
including New York City, Washington, DC
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Aran learned about the Marathon Des Sables in the late 90's, he became intrigued and decided that he might begin training for the 2000 event. Before training could begin, Aran became very ill.
Chronic fatigue, joint pain, heart arrhythmia, and an enlarged liver replaced the dream to run. Eventually in 1999, Aran was diagnosed with hemochromatosis, an inherited disorder of iron metabolism.
With hemochromatosis, people absorb excess iron from the diet. Iron has no way of being excreted except in tiny amounts, so over time, the excess iron builds in the vital organs of the heart, liver,
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pancreas, pituitary causing these organs to fail. If not detected and treated, hemochromatosis is fatal, which earns it the same credential as high blood pressure: "The Silent Killer".
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Before getting his diagnosis, Aran's body was basically rusting away. Once diagnosed he was told that if he did not
begin phlebotomies (blood donation), his life expectancy was about 5 years. Aran's therapetic phlebotomies were
completed that in August of 2002. But he was weak, his strength depleted. He contracted pneumonia three times
during 2002 to early 2003.
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Finally, as 2003 came to an end, something changed; he was feeling better, getting his strength back.
Aran had not exercised, let alone run, since 1999. He planned his recovery, limiting runs to about 30 minutes a day. His plan was to continue to build his endurance for one of the most challenging marathons in the world.
In April 2005, out of 777 runners, Aran crossed the finish line in 373rd place, a major accomplishment for a first time participant. Over the 245 kilometres of the race, the Doc Trotter medical team treated 3,146 cases including 2,567 for foot problems. They used 5 kilometres of elastoplast, 125 litres of disinfectant, and handed out 5,300 painkillers and 1,700 anti-inflammatories.
Aran says that there were moments when he did not think he would make it. His feet were blistered and painful and every fold of his body was packed with sand. One night, alone in the dark, Aran recalls sitting down for a moment to rest. He thought about what he was doing and why, he was running the marathon to bring about awareness of hemochromatosis and to raise money for the Iron Disorders Institute. He took out a copy of the emails that had come from friends, families, co-workers and hemochromatosis patients all over the globe. "These messages helped me tremendously" Aran told a reporter, after completing the race.
Aran reached his goals. His run got the attention of people all around the globe who donated generously and it inspired three men with hemochromatosis to not give up, to be proactive with their health. One of these men had given up hope of living.
The diseases associated with hemochromatosis, are heart attack, diabetes, arthritis, cirrhosis, impotence, infertility, depression and some cancers. These can be prevented, if the disorder is detected and treatment begins in the early stages. Aran Gordon is an example of how detection and treatment can lead to good health.
At the board meeting following the race, Aran announced to his fellow board members that he is going to "DO IT AGAIN!". He prepares now for the 2006 Marathon Des Sables and invites you to show your support once again.
See photos and read more about The Marathon Des Sables
agordan@irondisorders.org
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Make a contribution on behalf of Aran's run
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