Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thank you for the kind words and support along with the generous donations to date.

I completed the Great North Run on Sunday in 2hours 57 min. It was a warm day, very challenging and emotional at the end. The crowd was amazing and very supportive. I had a few aches and pains pushing my self to the end but nothing to bad. 

My story is below for those that have not visited my page before. 

Having struggled and just about completed the London marathon in 2017, I was not to know the reasons for my injuries, tiredness, tingly hands, pale look, sleepiness at a drop of a hat, dizziness, heart iregularities and my feeling of being full after eating so little  untill the end of the year.

Following a number of blood tests,  in the summer 2017 ,  to be given a leaflet on cancer in December 2017 and told you are now on chemotherapy to treat the disorder, it was a bit of a shock,  to put it mildly and a wake up call.

My diagnosis was essential thrombocythemia ET. This is a high platelets count ( the blocking cell when you cut your self and the blood clots up the hole then heals itself) within the blood.  My count was nearly double for what it should be... I was close to a heart attack or stroke because of my blood condition. At this stage I was over 17 and a half stone, waist nearly 40inch. Taking a few tablets a week and attending the hospital with lots of other concerned patients, it was humbling as everyone has a story, some sad, uplifting, along with the fighting spirit that is demonstrated at these places.

Did I have leukaemia? Was there a condition that triaged my symptoms? Following more tests it was established, fortunately, that my condition was controllable, but I was under the illusion that I would get better after a few months....how wrong I was!!

Role forward 16 months 

My condition is for life and I will not get better. I don’t Currently have a life threatening condition but definitely a life changing prognosis. 

I have not touched any alcohol since my first tablet...with England doing really well in the World Cup that was very difficult, I don’t know if I would have broken it had they won it! 

My eating habits have dramatically changed. I have a good breakfast and eat less as the day goes on,I have not excercised   Only some walks when my energy is up, this has to change now if I’m going to complete the great north run.

I now weigh 14.5  and fit into 32inch jeans...last time I did this I was 22 years old, everyone has said how great I look, but looking good on the outside hides the bad things inside!

I’m upto 21 tablets a week, what will this do to me in the long run I don’t know. 

But I'm positive and have huge support from family, relatives friends and work colleagues.

What caused my condition I don’t know?

Can other people have this condition and not know yes, most definitely. I was lucky to be diagnosed. 

There is a gap in reasearch from being ok to getting leukaemia, what is in between. 

Blood cancer is responsible for more deaths then breast and prostate cancer. 

More research is required to understand this condition, more awareness of the conditions that could arrise to blood cancer, help required to individuals and families who are affected by this conditions. The risks of the drugs taken  and the need to develop other drugs to help people.

That is why I have decided to raise awareness of this condition by running and doing the great north run, will I complete it , yes definitely....but don’t ask what time.  

Please donate and more  importantly spread the word.