I'm running the 2014 London marathon & holding a charity auction night in the name of my mum & Grandma.

Please read why below and if you can help with donations for the auction drop me an

Email Liamsmarathonrun@gmail.com

Tweet @Deacyliam

 

One September night in 2012 my younger sister was driving me to the wedding reception of two good friends when I noticed she was unusually quiet and distant.

 

 I asked what was wrong?

 

To which I received the normal response of “Nothing!”. As a supportive older brother would I put it down to the normal things – Men, argument with friends, being a moody little sod!.

 

When I pushed a little more she told me that my mum might have cancer. This hit me like a sledgehammer but with a smile I carried onto the wedding reception thinking “Everything will be okay” “It will be nothing” “A virus” “Anything but cancer.

 

Since my grandmother Maureen died from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma aged 52 I know my mum has lived with the fear that she may one day be affected by the same disease. So when she returned from a two week holiday in the sun feeling tired and exhausted she knew something was wrong.

 

The wait for her hospital visit was a long one; we were all very confused and upset. But mum being mum she just ploughed on.

 

She was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) a form of cancer which affects blood-producing cells in the bone marrow. CLL is the most common form of Leukaemia seen in the Western world and over 3000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year.

 

I try and describe it as “The Best Worse Case Scenario” – Crude I know!

 

At the time of the diagnosis mum was put on “Watch and Wait!” which means exactly what it says on the tin. My mum and the hospital WATCH & WAIT!.

 

At first this made me angry and confused. Why no treatment?, Why no medication?.

 

 But life’s never that simple and treatment would just put my mum is unnecessary pain and could make her weak.

 

So she watches and waits...

 

Every four months she goes to the hospital so her blood cell levels can be checked and we all hold our breath and wait!.

 

So far those little red cells are behaving and we just try and block it out.

 

So on the 13 April 2014 I will be pulling on my old running trainers, tucking in my tummy and ploughing the streets of London in the London Marathon.

 

That day I’ll be running in memory of my grandmother Maureen and for my mum.

 

Trying to give something back to a wonderful woman who has spent her life caring for me, my sister & father. My wife to be, my 2 beautiful Children & so many more.

 

 I can’t take away this awful disease but I’ll fundraise, train and run to help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research do all they can for her and many, many others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So please support me and this amazing charity, give all you can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is leukaemia?

 

Leukaemia is a blood cancer. It affects the white blood cells which are an important part of our immune system that fights infection.

 

People with leukaemia produce abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow and prevent the production of other important blood cells. Most of the problems associated with leukaemia are caused by the lack of normal cells in the blood, rather than the leukaemia cells themselves.

 

 

 

What is Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)?

 

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a form of cancer which affects blood-producing cells in the bone marrow. It most commonly affects older people and affects men slightly more than women. 

 

 

 

How common is it?

 

·         There are over 3000 people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia each year in the UK.

 

·         It is the most common form of leukaemia seen in the Western world.

 

·         The most common age at which people are diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is about 70 years.

 

How is it treated?

 

Many people with CLL do not need treatment at the time when they are diagnosed; some people never need treatment. It is not generally considered curable, except possibly in a minority of patients who are fit enough to have a stem cell transplant from a donor.

 

When treatment is advised, this is usually with a combination of drugs. Most people being treated for CLL have a generally good quality of life. A minority of people have a more rapidly developing form of the condition which may need stronger forms of treatment. If there is a suitable clinical trial, this will probably be recommended to patients

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.