My Brother Tony de Grey had been for dental treatment some 15 months ago and a short while afterwards began suffering excruciating pain and collapsed at home.

Shortly after being admittted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, it was identified that Tony was suffering from a very aggressive form of Leukaemia, known as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. He was told at this point that he was only days away from death.

Treatment began to kill off the the cancer cells in preparation for a Stem Cell transplant and tests were begun to identify who of his six siblings would be a match. After what seemed to be an agonising wait, we found that out of the six siblings we were lucky enough to have one match, our little Sister Debbie. In May, Tony was given the all clear for cancer cells and the Stem Cell Transplant went ahead.

Due to his impressive positive attitude he was picked up as the Face of the Red Alert Appeal for Cure Leukaemia that was running on BBC Radio WM with DJ Pete Morgan. Interviews appeared on the radio and his status was followed throughout.

All appeared to be moving well, although the reaction that was required from the transplant was not as high as expected, Tony appeared to be doing well. He attended various fund raising activities and was invited to   speak at the Annual Cure Leukaemia Dinner in November.

Shortly before this event Tony developed pain in his side which would not go away. Upon being checked again at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Tony received the devastating news that the Leukaemia had returned, and this time nothing more could be done. Tony took his usual stance and would not give up. Tony said to the Doctors that he was not done yet, that he still had to raise the profile of Cure Leukaemia charity and still had funds to raise. He wanted a 'stick to fight with' and the Doctors needed to find him something to continue the battle. At the least Tony wanted the Doctors to keep him well enough to reach our Mom's 80th Birthday party in February.

Shortly came the news that there had been an agreement made with a drugs company who would allow him to participate in a trial that had just concluded.

Straight away the trial started and Tony returned home. The trial again began very well and Tony's health improved.

On February 16th we celebrated Mom's Birthday Party with Tony present, enjoying the night and looking great. It was a fantastic night for all of us.

Shortly afterwards a small bone marrow sample was taken and no 'blast cells' (Leukaemia) was found. He was on once again to have cells from Debbie to try to kick off the reaction (Graft versus Host desease) which would hopefully cure his body of any residue blast cells that were left and leave him Leukaemia free.

Sadly Tony caught an infection which gave him Pneumonia and brought his temperature rocketting. At this same time another bone marrow sample was taken and the Leukaemia had come back very aggressively. Hi temperature continued to rise and the infection could not be killed off. The Hospital then said that there was really nothing more that anyone could do and they would just keep him comfortable.

Refusing to go down into Intensive Care, where some friends he had made over the last year had not returned from. Tony made the decision with then backing of the hospital that he should return home to spend his last few days with his family. The hospital's expectation was that he would not likely see the weekend out.

On the day of his discharge all six of his siblings were there together with Mom to be with him. He now had a temperature of 40.1 and was oxygen dependent. The ambulance came and took him home and made him comfortable on what was likely to be his final weekend.

Tony however had different plans as always.

Upon waking the next day his temperature was back to normal and he was able to come off the oxygen.

Although he has had good days and some very bad days, Tony is still here 3 weeks later.

My Brother's strength and determination is nothing short of astonishing. Throughout the past 15 months, he has not complained about his situation, he has not felt sorry for himself, he has only looked at what he can do to highlight the plight of Leukaemia sufferers and raise money so that other get the chances that he has had. Even in his worst day when he is suffering he has commented how hard it must be for us to watch him going through it, no complaint about himself. He has always said all along that he would rather it happen to him that nay loved ones.

I am doing this skydive to help Tony to raise more money for Cure Leukaemia who fund special nurses to administer trial drugs so that these drugs get tested and one day the cure can be found that eliminates Leukaemia. In the meantime we will save lives and prolong the lives of others so they are able to spend more quality time with their families.

Please give generously. IF I REACH MY TARGET OF 500, I WILL PERSONALLY MATCH IT WITH ANOTHER 500!

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