Thank you for visiting my Just Giving page.

In November 2022, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Myeloma. I was in a minor accident one day in London when an e-scooter ran a red light and hit me as I was crossing the road. I initially assumed I was suffering with some whiplash however after a few weeks of physiotherapy, I was sent for an MRI scan that uncovered the real reason I was in discomfort.

You might be wondering, what is Myeloma, which was my initial reaction too. So here is a little information about Myeloma (also known as multiple myeloma).

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that originates in plasma cells. Each year in the UK, approximately 5,900 people are diagnosed with myeloma and at any given time, around 24,000 people are living with Myeloma in the UK. It accounts for 15% of blood cancers and 2% of all cancers. The cause of Myeloma is unknown, and while it is currently incurable, it is classified as highly treatable, however remains a terminal disease.

Typical Myeloma patients are aged sixty-five and older. It is slightly more common in men than women and is predominantly seen in African American men for reasons that remain unclear today. Other risk factors include obesity, heavy smoking, excessive alcohol consumption however these factors equally apply to lots of conditions.

My diagnosis came as a complete shock to me and my family, as I do not fit the typical profile of a Myeloma patient and consider myself to be reasonably fit and healthy. The symptoms of Myeloma are broad and often generic, with the most common being lower back or hip pain and fatigue. Show me someone in their mid-forties with young children and a full-time job who isn’t tired and has a sore back!

Since my diagnosis, I have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, more chemotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, and countless MRIs, CT scans, x-rays, and blood tests. This has taken a toll on me physically and mentally, yet thanks to some amazing doctors, nurses, and the unwavering support of my family and friends, I have managed to push through. I am now determined to turn this experience into something positive by raising as much money as possible for the incredible charity Myeloma UK. This organization does amazing work supporting patients and their families and funding critical research into new treatments and, ultimately, one day a cure.

I am extremely privileged to have been granted one of the charity spots in the 2025 London Marathon for Myeloma UK. Given the physical impact of the last two years and the ongoing treatment I am receiving, I am much slower than I used to be so I won’t be breaking any records as these drugs are the opposite of performance enhancing! However I can assure you I will be giving this everything I've got.

If you can a make a donation of any amount, I would be immensely grateful. Your support will provide me with extra motivation to complete the 26 miles (42 km) on 27th April 2025 and give cancer the middle finger 🖕

If you would like to learn more about Myeloma and the charity's work, please visit: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/

Thank you for your support.

Love,

G x

If you donate, your money will go directly to Myeloma UK. It is the most efficient way to donate—saving time and cutting costs for the charity.