Aplastic Anaemia is a condition where bone marrow does not produce sufficient new cells to replenish all 3 types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

When I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia in 2000 I, like most people, knew nothing about the disease.  I didn’t know much about bone marrow except that Pedigree Chum seemed to think that dogs would find it tasty.  Over the months and years that followed I found out just how vital all the different components of blood are and how it affects you when they aren’t there.

I’ve had more blood transfusions than I care to remember and a slight needle-phobia did little to help, except to amuse nursing staff with my occasional fainting episodes.  From weekly visits for transfusions to long stays in isolation the team at St. Georges Hospital got very used to my presence.

I was lucky in that when I contracted Aplastic Anaemia I was a fairly fit 23 year old but there were times when I could not climb stairs or walk long distances due to low red blood cell counts.  Bumps and bruises would also appear easily and all of a sudden I was on a “clean food” diet.  

After successful treatment, by way of a bone marrow transplant, I have regained a healthy blood count and have supported the Aplastic Anaemia Trust by taking part in their yearly fundraising triathlon event on a few occasions.  When I saw they had a London Marathon place available I volunteered to take it as I hoped I would be able to do it justice.

Please help me to help the Aplastic Anaemia Trust to help others that find themselves tackling the real challenge that is surviving Aplastic Anaemia.

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