My Story

In April, I will be running my first marathon, which happens to be the London marathon! A bit of a step up from my infrequent 5k parkruns. To add to the challenge, my son Joshua, was born on 15th December 2022. So, I will be juggling childcare and training. I’ll let you know which is the tougher test!

I am raising money in aid of the Anthony Nolan charity, saving the lives of people with blood cancer, through stem cell donations. 

In August 2021, my Mum’s partner (now husband) Steve, was diagnosed with Stage 4 AITL(Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma). Steve completed an initial 4 rounds of chemo, followed by a further 2 sessions of more intensive chemo, in preparation in using Steve’s own stem cells for autologous transplant. Unfortunately, the lymphoma still showed signs of early progression. A further 6 cycles of chemo and total body irradiation was required, before donor stem cells from his daughter, Emily, were used for transplant in July 2022.

Steve has had a bone biopsy and PET CT scans which show no signs of cancer and he is now 6 months in remission.

Special thanks go to the team at The Churchill, based in Oxford, Dr Robert Danby, (lead consultant) along with Liz and Franci, (support nurses), also the team at Frimley Park. Profound gratitude goes to Steve’s daughter, Emily and of course my Mum, Louise who has been by Steve’s side every step of the way. Mum and Steve tied the knot on 29th April 2022.