THUNDER BAY -- Natalie Buchanan was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa, an incurable condition that can mean living with severe pain.
The native of Lacombe, Alberta has just completed a bicycle ride from her home province to Thunder Bay which she undertook to raise money and awareness of EB.
The genetic tissue disease causes painful blisters and shearing of the skin, and can lead to a life of disability with extreme pain. Buchanan says it affects about one in every 20 thousand births, and is often referred to as "the worst disease you've never heard of."
She told tbnewswatch.com she considers herself lucky to have a mild form of the condition. Her blisters occur primarily on her feet, leaving her barely able to walk at times.
In more severe cases, Buchanan said, "people will have their skin come completely off from any friction or rubbing, or they won't even be able to eat food because it will cause a blister in their throat."
Tragically, some parents of children with EB can't hold their babies because just touching them can cause their skin to come off.
"We want to raise awareness because it is so rare, and there is no treatment or cure currently. A lot of doctors don't even know what it is, so without them knowing about it, it's really hard to build a treatment or cure," Buchanan said.
The 26-year-old recent college graduate, now living in Toronto, began cycling east from Alberta with her partner Steve Gibbs on Aug. 30. On Monday the pair arrived at Thunder Bay's Terry Fox Lookout, having collected about $4,000 in donations along the way.
"I was able to take care of my skin enough that I was able to make the journey. I only had one blister that really hindered me, which was lucky," she said.
Buchanan considers it a big accomplishment because she never thought she'd be able to complete such a trip.
Seeing the monument to Terry Fox was important, she said, because he was so inspirational to her and her boyfriend.
"He never thought he'd make such a big impact as he did. If we could even be a fraction of the success that he had, in spreading awareness for our cause, that would be amazing."
Buchanan and Gibbs were scheduled to leave Thunder Bay for home on Wednesday.
Donations to the cause may be made through the DEBRA Canada website. Debra stands for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association, a registered non-profit charity.
