My cousin Nicola Mallen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in January 2022. 

Whilst having treatment her health deteriorated and on the 30th April 2022 she was put into an induced coma due to an infection in her Hickman line. This later developed into sepsis. 

After 12 days she was brought out of the coma but it did not go without further complications. Doctors had struggled to stabilise her blood levels which lead to her being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Unbeknown to her family at the time, she was given months to live. 

She was already on the waiting list for a stem cell transplant - but she was against the clock! 

A match was found and on 27th September 2022 she underwent a stem cell transplant. 

Nicolas first grandchild was born in August 2022 - Thanks to her donor she has been given a second chance to live life to the full and watch her granddaughter grown up. 

Nicola has received expert care from a number of professionals and charities but continues to received support from Cure Leukaemia. 

Cure Leukaemia helps to fund the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP).

With 15 specialist research nurses in 15 cities, this network enables pioneering blood cancer clinical trials to connect patients with potentially life-saving treatments not currently available through standard care.

So to raise awareness of blood cancer and vital funds for Cure Leukaemia I will be taking part in The Great North Run on 10th September 2023. 

Please donate and help support this amazing charity!