13 years ago our dad, David, was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome: a rare type of blood cancer). After a very long and tough battle, we lost dad in September 2021. Since then our uncle, Martin (dad’s youngest brother), was also diagnosed with MDS. This tragically accelerated at an incredible pace and he passed away in September 2022, almost exactly a year after dad's death.

We’ve seen first hand how blood cancer affects individuals, as well as families and everyone around them. As a family we have dealt with everything from dad suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve 2018 to the final heart-breaking 6 months of palliative care he spent at home. We know how much even the more subtle changes in loved ones, such as personality changes or memory issues, can affect everyone close to them.

All of this is why we really want to do something to make a difference by supporting and raising money for Blood Cancer UK. We want to raise more awareness about this disease and do what we can to help anyone else that has been or is going through the same thing. To do this, both of us have been given charity places to run the London Marathon in 2023 in support of Blood Cancer UK and between us we have a goal to raise at least £4,000.

Both of us run but neither of us have yet run a marathon, so this will be a real challenge. If you could give anything at all to support this worthy cause, we would all really appreciate it so much. 

Thank you.