In September 2012 I'm undertaking a bike ride from Vancouver to Mexico - 3,000 kilometres over 23 days. It's a long ride and it will be physically demanding but I love cycling and I'm fortunate to be fit and healthy and able to do it. 250,000 people a year around the world are not so lucky, being diagnosed with blood cancers. It's indiscriminate as my sister found out 3 years ago. This is her brief story.

 

''Hi, my name is Sue Thomas and I’m a fit, energetic Physical Education teacher, who has rarely missed a day's work in my working life. I’m happily married, have 2 great kids and a very supportive family. As a family we have a great love of skiing and look forward to our ski trip every February to France.

 

In 2009 we set off eagerly on our trip to Tignes/Val D'Isere. One day I'm hurtling down a black run in the Alps, the next day I'm feeling really unwell and return home and 5 days later I'm in a hospital bed in Sussex being told that I have Acute Myleoid Leukaemia. My world turned upside down in those few days- why me? I was told that I would be starting chemotherapy immediately and this would involve 4 cycles of the treatment. I spent the next four and a half months in hospital (minus my hair!)

 

I’m in remission and alive today because of the investments in research made by charities such as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the dedication of so many doctors and nurses. The number of people reaching remission for different types of leukaemia is increasing year on year and I hope others will be helped by continuing support for this research. It saved me and I’ve been on 3 more ski trips since!'

There is no doubt in my mind that my sister's attitude to her illness played an important part in her recovery but she owes her life to the treatment advances made through research into these blood cancers.

The ride I'm undertaking is for pleasure and it is self-funded. I want to use this opportunity to help the on-going funding that is necessary to improve further the number of people who achieve remission from this illness in the future.  

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I hope that my sister’s story and the challenge I am undertaking will encourage you to make a donation to this cause. A contribution however large or small will make a difference.

Thank you.

Chris