In June 2003, my wonderful partner, Simon was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  He was 31 years old.  He immediately commenced an intense cycle of FMD chemotherapy, lasting 9 months. We were told in February 2004 that Simon was in remission.  Unfortunately, in May 2004, he relapsed, and the NHL returned with a vengeance.  He then had 2 attempts at a stem cell harvest in order to undergo a stem cell transplant.  Both attempts at the harvest failed.  He then commenced R-CHOP chemotherapy, whilst at the same time, the search for a bone marrow donor commenced via The Anthony Nolan Trust.  We were told that a bone marrow transplant was Simon's only chance of beating the disease.

We were so lucky in February 2005 when a donor was found.  In May 2005, Simon underwent a bone marrow transplant at Kings College Hospital, London.  It was an incredibly difficult, painful and emotional time for us all, but we got through it with the help of organisations such as Maggie's Centres.  We were over the moon in October 2006, to be told that Simon was NHL free.  By December 2006, Simon had returned to work, and life slowly began to return to normal.

We married in October 2008, and Simon continues to be NHL free to this day.  I'm not sure how we would have got through the trauma without people like the staff at Maggie's Centres.  That's why the 2012 Night Hike is so important to me.

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