Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of 18. The past year and bit have been very tough, with having originally three rounds of chemotherapy. After all that chemotherapy and bone marrow result picked up a very, very small number of remaining cancer cells. These would of caused me to relapse at any time, so the best option was a stem cell transplant.

Too be able to have the transplant I needed another two rounds of very intensive, strong chemotherapy to kill off the remaining cells. 

The first round went absolutely fine, with just normal side effects e.g sickness and tiredness. Same couldn't be said for the following one. As I had no immune system, with the following round I picked up a very bad infection, neutropenic sepsis. I ended up in high dependcy for two nights and then the decision was taken to take me to intensive care as I was detoriating. My parents were told the next two hours were critical and they had done everything they could for me and it was up to me to turn the corner, which thankfully I did. 

After four weeks in intensive care, with seventeen days ventilated and then given a tracheostomy, I eventually was reacting to medicines and my blood counts began to rise. 

Once I was transferred back to the Haemolotolgy Ward, where I continue to get better and learnt too walk again, for another three and a half weeks. 

Without the help from physiotherapists, massage therapist, time-out coordinator it would of been very hard. Even just having the time-out coordinator come and speak was fab. Friends of Anchor also provided fresh fruit pots which doesn't sound much, but it's so refreshing to have that option instead of hospital food.

Then on the 22nd of October 2014 I received my stem cell transplant. I have been given the best gift, a second chance of life. I know I couldn't give someone something amazing like that, but making sure they get a home from home feel whilst in an hospital environment is something I can do. So I am raising money for Friends of Anchor so future patients have the same or even better things to do and have like I did, and too make sure they get the boost on down days like I did.

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