On 17th January 2023, our lives were turned upside down when Meri was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

The next few months was a rollercoaster of a journey with 2 rounds of chemotherapy at St Vincents Sydney, a medical assisted flight back to the UK, a further 2 rounds of chemo at The Christie in Manchester followed by TBI radiotherapy and a Stem Cell transplant at the end of May. Thankfully a year on we couldn't be in a better place with a future of health, happiness and laughter to look forward to.

None of this would be possible of course without all the amazing doctors, nurses, housekeepers, porters, you name it, who have blown us away with their care and kindness. Of course, a special mention goes to Anthony Nolan who provided Meri with her perfect donor match. Her incredible donor is out there somewhere - she's 28 and Welsh - and we are hopefully going to meet her in the not so distant future. It's down to her, and the dedicated people at AN who organise the transplants that give people another chance at life, and has enabled us to be in the position we are today. We are eternally grateful.

I'm running the London marathon to raise as much money as possible for Anthony Nolan who save the lives of people with blood cancer. The only thing I can think of better than Meri being healthy and well, is for others who are in the same position being able to have a life-saving transplant.

In the spirit of a challenge I’m aiming to do a sub-3 hour marathon (have no idea if I’m mad or not).

Thank you for your support no matter how big or small.

Teej X