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Please take a couple of minutes to read my story:

During September and October 2021 I will, along with a great group of supportive family and friends, be undertaking three individual challenges.  The first challenge is walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks on 4 September, the second on 26 September is running the Robin Hood Half Marathon, concluding on 30 October with climbing Snowdon. We are all raising money for The Cure Leukaemia Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP). The reason I am raising money for this charity is that back in September 2020 I was diagnosed with a very treatable blood cancer and have been fortunate enough to have received some incredibly successful treatment through Cure Leukaemia Research Trials.  Therefore I really want, in some small way, to be able to contribute to other people being able to benefit from pioneering research and the amazing treatment I have had and still am receiving.

I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called CLL (Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia).  Broken down into simple terms means: the condition had come on over a long period of time, can result in enlarged lymph nodes and my blood contained a very high percentage of under (malformed) white blood cells which meant there was no space in my blood for healthy red cells, resulting in severe anaemia.  It is, however,  very treatable and manageable.  There is no specific reason why I was diagnosed with this (one in two people during their lifetime are diagnosed with a form of Cancer), with one patient being diagnosed every 14 minutes in the UK with a blood Cancer.  

Fortunately, I was selected for a clinical research  study treatment known as the FLAIR programme which after a series of tests to match me to the treatment involved me taking two separate drugs orally (not currently available on the NHS) which commenced in October 2020.  I am so lucky to have received this treatment.  It has had absolutely no side effects to me, only a couple of hospital admissions as a precaution to introduce one of the drugs).  By January 2021 my life had pretty much returned to normal.  A part of my life now is regular appointments at the Nottingham City Hospital Clinical Haematology Centre for blood tests.  I am unable to even start to put into words just how well I have been treated, by every single person I have come into contact with at the City Hospital - and all this through a pandemic.  Not one cancelled appointment (the NHS are truly amazing special people).

Having just undergone detailed blood tests, a CT scan and a second bone marrow biopsy, I now have no CLL cells in my blood and only a very low level if any in my bone marrow and my blood count is completely normal.  This is the best outcome I could ever ask for.  Truly amazing and with not one side effect to me.  I am still taking the medication and will for some time yet.

So - obviously the reason I have organised three fund raising events and got my loving supportive family and friends involved in taking part and raising money is not about me!!  It is about raising as much money as we possibly can so that further research can take place to continue to develop new and successful treatments enabling other people to benefit from the amazing treatment I have received.  

So come on!   I appreciate that there are so many great causes that need help.  But blood cancer is on the increase and research and new treatments simply saves lives, so please please dig deep and support me and the lovely kind people who have not only been there for me throughout the last 10 months but who are also joining me in one of the three individual challenges .  Your donations will help the brilliant people who have treated me work hard to find further successful treatments.  This is to thank not only my family and close friends but also to all those involved in my treatment at the City Hospital Nottingham, in particular Dr Smith and his Clinical Haematology and Research team.  Simply amazing, dedicated, brilliant, kind and caring people.  Thank you so so much, please spread the word.   Jo xx