In September 2020 I was diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Learning my diagnosis was tough but what followed was even harder, as I faced the tough journey of various treatments which included a period of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. 

The journey was terrifying and tough both physically and mentally. However, the biggest impact on me was the thought of a child or teenager having to deal with a cancer diagnosis and then also potentially having to endure a stem cell transplant. 

Not only do John and I want to raise awareness of cancer that affects young people, we also want to try and make their lives a little easier and less daunting when facing the challenges of either cancer generally or when under going a stem cell transplant.

Recently, the impact that both cancer and a stem cell transplant can have on a young person became very much a reality. As most of you know, I am heavily involved with coaching netball at Foxes Netball Club. In February this year we were made aware that one of our players, Izzie, who is just 13 years old, was in desperate need of a stem cell donor as a result of being diagnosed with not one, but two life threatening blood disorders. Izzie is inspirational and absolutely amazing. What she has been through in her short life and what she still has ahead of her would crush the resilience of most adults. Until a stem cell donor is found, Izzie will constantly need treatment for her condition. Her life has been turned upside down and she deals with it all so inspiringly. 

The donations will help children and teenagers like Izzie to have a more comfortable time in hospital as they go through one of the most testing times of their precious lives.

Izzie is in need of a stem cell donor. DKMS are a blood cancer charity whose aim is to delete blood cancer. Their purpose is to increase the number of people on the blood stem cell register; and the long term vision is to find a stem cell match for every one that needs one. 

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. For many blood cancer patients a stem cell transplant from a matching donor is their best, or only, chance of survival.

The chance of finding a match is like finding a needle in a haystack - because only 2% of the UK population are on the stem cell register.

Joining the register is incredibly easy. All it takes is a cheek swab and 3 minutes of people’s time.  

That small act could be lifesaving for someone with blood cancer. Someone like Izzie.

http://www.dkms.org.uk/netball