One fatal illness has a host of symptoms that can easily be dismissed, including weakness in the ankles or legs, muscle cramps or weight loss.
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and some six people per day die from it, just under 2,200 per year. The disease has no cure.
A number of famous rugby stars have spoken out about their diagnosis with the severe condition, including league player Rob Burrow and union sportsman Doddie Wier, who sadly died from the illness last year. They are among the six Brits-a-day diagnosed with MND, with a person's lifetime risk of developing the condition around 1 in 300 - and have inspired one Manchester firefighter to do something about the disease.
