My aim is to raise funds for King's College Hospital without their time, dedication, knowledge and ability, I would not be in a position to raise money on their behalf. In addition, thanks to all the blood donors around the world, without the blood stocks I wouldn't be here!
I was born in 1987 and was a very active child and have always been active and healthy throughout my life. I played in many sports teams and was also a judo tournament winner.
On the 24th December 2008 after complaining of feeling ill with a high fever for the last few days I disappeared to bed where I stayed until I was unable to control my vomiting, hot sweats and temperature. On the 28th December I was admitted to St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, where I was treated for three days until I needed specialist attention. On the 1st January I was blue lighted up to King's College Hospital, London, to be treated by liver and Haematology specialists who told my parents there was a strong chance I would not make it home. Kings College Hospital eventually diagnosed me with Secondary HLH which is a very rare illness.
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) affects histiocytes called macrophages. Affected people have fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, a fall in the number of normal blood cells, abnormalities of blood clotting and accumulation of macrophages and other white blood cells within affected tissues, typically the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. HLH is often triggered by viral or other infection and improvement generally follows treatment for the precipitating infection and removal of immune suppression, if this is possible.
I hope you will be able to help me support King's College Hospital, London. If you would like further information on the events we will be holding please visit my website on www.bldl.org.
Thanks very much for your support. I very much appreciate it.