In July 2022 I met my brilliant friend Jo Hughes in a playground, having both recently relocated from opposite sides of the globe. We were both trying to manage the chaos of two boys under two, sharing many unfinished sentences whilst making sure our kids weren’t about to step backwards off a climbing frame. We swapped numbers aiming to meet for coffee the following week.

The following week, coffee was delayed whilst Jo received the devastating news her then 18 month old Oti, had Acute Myloid Leukaemia.

Otis started intensive chemotherapy treatment immediately and the family endured two years in the deepest, darkest and unimaginable trench.

Otis was given the all clear in December but relapsed soon after.

The family faced the terrifying reality that Otis needed a stem cell transplant in order to survive. Miraculously, a 100% donor match was found and Otis transplant took place in June 2023 at Bristol Hospital. Supporting Jo, Tez, Remy and Oti through this journey whilst having two boys of the same age was heartbreaking.

Today, Otis now 3, is the same bundle of energy as the rest of our boys with in his words “magic blood”. He is full of beans and a picture of health, and fortunately for him and unlike his parents, he won’t remember the time he was so, so poorly.

Magic really is the only word to describe the unbelievable science that is a stem cell transplant.

Jo and I have decided to run the London Marathon together this year to raise money for Anthony Nolan, a charity so pivotal in stem cell research. We also LOVE multitasking.

P.S for those wondering, the coffee happens regularly as we coparent four brilliant boys who are more like brothers than friends ❤️.