On Christmas Day of 2021 we lost my amazing, kind, beautiful aunty Michelle at only 66, she was the best aunty, mother, nannie, sister and friend that anyone could’ve had. We are missing her every single day and are devastated by our loss but hope to raise money for leukaemia UK and turn out grief into something positive.

Michelle was diagnosed with leukaemia in April of 2021 and underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. In December 2021 she was diagnosed with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy which is neurological disorder characterized by destruction of cells that produce myelin, an oily substance that helps protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, also known as central nervous system (CNS) white matter. It is caused by a virus called JC virus (JCV)  which causes disease only when the immune system has been severely compromised. This rare and terminal neurological disorder affects only 4000 people in America and Europe a year and we hope that the devastating illness can be researched further with some of the money that is raised for leukaemia UK. 

Michelle passed away in trinity hospice who provided her with the most beautiful end of life care imaginable and any donations to them would also be greatly appreciated - https://www.trinityhospice.co.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/

I spoke to Michelle about running this marathon for her in the hope that she would be there to watch me do it, and she absolutely loved the idea and said it was a beautiful thing to do for her so I feel very proud to be able to run the marathon in memory of her and know she will be running it with me. 

Thank you so much for any donations they are so so greatly appreciated,

Natalia ❤️

Someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 16 minutes. Blood cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK.Leukaemia UK support those affected by leukaemia and other blood cancers through the physical, psychological and emotional uncertainty that may come with a diagnosis, working to fund innovative and effective research for better treatments and care.