Story
In April 2021 my mum Sally, my best friend Larry and I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for the Anthony Nolan Trust, for my brilliant brother Tom Trant.
In 2019, Tom, who is only 26, was diagnosed with an autoimmune blood disorder, called Aplastic Anaemia, a rare but serious disorder that occurs when your bone marrow cannot make enough new blood cells for your body to work normally.
The past year has been a long one for Tom. He spent months spent confined to a hospital bed, endured rounds of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and has had two stem cell transplants, most of it in the midst of COVID19, which has unfortunately meant complete isolation for the best part of 12 months.
Particular thanks go to my lovely mum Sally, who has been by Tom's side every single day, navigating this disorder and how to support someone going through not only physical symptoms but a great deal of emotional and mental trauma.
The Anthony Nolan Trust has been incredible throughout: they sourced a viable stem cell donor for both transplants and provided support along the way. We shall be forever grateful to them, the NHS, and for the anonymous German legend who gave Tom his lovely “celly boys” twice over.
Tom has been in recovery for the past year - and so far so good, he’s responding brilliantly to the treatment he has had and you’ll be pleased to know he’s back to his usual sarcastic self…
So this one’s for you Tommo! We will be training daily and fundraising as much as possible ahead of the run in April.
We would be so grateful for donations of any amount in the hopes of hitting our £1000 target. We understand not everyone has the means to donate, but if you’re under 30 it would be fantastic if you could register as a donor - you really could save someone’s life.
Here’s the link to register: https://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells/who-can-join-register
You can read more about Aplastic Anaemia here.
Thanks, everyone!
Em, Sal & La xxx