In October 2010, aged 31, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) after the Blood Donor service advised me to see my GP for a blood test following some abnormal results. 

CML is an extremely rare type of blood cancer and had it gone hidden, I could have been dead in three years, scary stuff. 

In the short time I’ve been living with this disease, my thoughts have turned to raising money for a charity which is trying to find a cure for this and other types of leukaemia.  I’ve chosen Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research as they offer patients like me hope for the future, hope for a cure and support in the meantime.  A chilling statistic is that only 30% of adults with a blood cancer survive, its stats like these the charity is trying to improve.

I’ve always been an active person, completing seven Great North Runs in the last ten years and partaking in a number of smaller local runs so I thought I’d be the last person to receive the news I got! 

The drug I now take (Imatinib a.k.a. Glivec), as with most chemotherapy drugs, affect stamina, with other side effects including muscle and joint aches and cramps.  All of which I’ve suffered from already. 

So despite all that, I’ve decided to take part in two stamina busting events in 2011.

First up was a Coast 2 Coast bike ride in June 2011 with the lads from my work, Renolit Cramlington Ltd.  We raised almost £2,500 in what was a fantastic achievement by the lads in some horrendous weather.

And finally for 2011, in September, it’ll be GNR #8 for me, although I doubt I’ll get anywhere near my PB of 1hr 52!  I’ll be running it with friends who have been daft…erm….kind enough to join me,

We have already held a Cake Day at work, which raised £560 and then a Race Night in Bedlington Social Club which raised a fantasitc £3,023.  Thank you to everyone who helped and contributed to two fantastic events.  I've also received fantastic donations of around £600 from my employers Renolit Cramlington Ltd.

Thanks for visiting my page and I hope you’ll sponsor me over the coming year as my events come and go.

Thanks!

Neil