Hi everyone, my name is Emily Land. Some of you may have seen my story over the past 18 months, but for those who have not, here is a little summary. 

In October 2021, at just 20 years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and my life was turned upside down. I was immediately admitted to hospital and went through 4 gruelling and intense rounds of chemotherapy. This was a tough process in which I suffered from pneumonia and sepsis a number of times but fortunately got the call clear in July 2022! 

Just as I felt life was beginning to see some normality and I returned to work, my life was again turned upside when I relapsed in August 2022. To my upset, unfortunately I simply could not just have more rounds of chemotherapy, I was instead told I would need a stem cell transplant to which required a donor. 

My first port of call was my 2 sisters but unfortunately I just didn’t have the luck and they were not a match  You can imagine the fear beginning to build as I realised I had to find a match from somewhere else. This is where Anthony Nolan came in. 

With the help of friends and family, through Anthony Nolan, we built what was known as ‘Emily’s Army’ and carried out campaigning across the county and in media outlets in order to try and find a match. 

Through the amazing work that is carried out by Anthony Nolan and those involved, I managed to find a perfect 10/10 match all the way from the Netherlands! As you can imagine, I am so grateful for the work that Anthony Nolan do as it has given me a second chance at life. 

With this, I want to try and help give back to them and raise as much awareness as possible and that is the purpose of this fundraiser. 

During my stem cell transplant and following recovering period, I was very much bed bound and was doing as little as 3-5 steps per day and as part of my recovery I am trying to kedp as active as possible and I thought what better way to motivate myself than to do a fundraiser to walk 10,000 steps a day for the next month to raise as much money as I can for Anthony Nolan, starting from 15th May. 

If you want to keep track of my progress and up to date with the walks and how they are going and also see the cool places I am going to get my steps in, then please see my TikTok! 

https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyjayne311?_t=8cCeildI0Cp&_r=1

You can find a little bit more about them below with much more information on their website! 

Every day, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or blood disorder. We do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells to people who desperately need a lifesaving transplant. We also carry out cutting edge scientific research, fund specialist post-transplant nurses and support patients and their families through the transplant process and beyond. We won’t stop until we save the lives of everyone who needs a stem cell transplant. Every penny you donate brings us closer to that day.