Hi I’m Maddie and this is my story.

Back in October of 2022 I had just started my university course to become a nurse. My first term at university was going well but I noticed weird bruising and felt very tired. The bruising became more frequent and unexplained so I went to my GP for a blood test. Within 24 hours my life was turned upside down. I was admitted to hospital the following day with suspected Leukaemia, after various tests and a bone marrow biopsy It was discovered it was a worse diagnosis as I was suffering from an extremely rare illness, severe Aplastic Anemia. This means that my bone marrow had failed and was no longer producing platelets, white cells and red cells. This meant I had to start weekly transfusions of blood and platelets to keep me alive. This is where Anthony Nolan stepped in as a bone marrow donor was needed. Unfortunately my siblings were tested but they were not a good enough match.

My NHS transplant team then approached a national stem cell charity for help. Luckily for me 2 perfect matches were found both were male, both 23 years old, one from Poland and another from Germany. The German donor was able and willing to donate. I was admitted to hospital in June of 2023 to start my conditioning chemotherapy to prepare me for my transplant. The bone marrow was flown over 7 days later, and brought straight from the airport to the hospital. I was given the bone marrow on the 14th of June 2023. I am now a year on and I am a healthy soon to be 21 year old, with my whole life ahead of me thanks to Anthony Nolan and my amazing donor.

Rose’s Story

Rose was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa in October 2020 aged 13yrs old and started treatment with Brownhills Eating Disorder Clinic. She was very unwell and at times unable to attend school and close to hospitalisation. With the help of her therapist and family she battled this devastating disorder and after a year she was making good progress. However, Anorexia is a form of OCD and whilst the Anorexia was beaten her OCD intrusive thoughts exacerbated and she started to self-harm and felt suicidal.

Her mental health declined, and she was admitted to the Pediatric Mental Health ward at Gloucester Royal. After this cry for help we were hopeful of some professional support from CAMHS. However, as is the case across the country this service is overwhelmed and the waiting list for support was at least eighteen months.

One agency who were able to provide timely support were YOUNG GLOUCESTER who helped Rose with the self-harm side of her condition. They were amazing and a lifeline for Rose (and us). Her support worker understood her needs, listened to her and formed part of her road to recovery.

Rose is a fighter and after a great deal of therapy and support she is out the other side. She has just finished her GCSE's and looking forward to starting her A levels.

There is a mental health crisis amongst our young people and anyone who is in the 'system' will know that resources are limited and services overwhelmed! We were fortunate to have help from our family to pay for the costly private therapy, but there are many who cannot and that should not be the case. A two year waiting list for support is a disaster for our young people and I hope this channel swim will raise awareness and more importantly help Young Gloucester to support more young people.