This year marks the 20th year since I was diagnosed with Leukaemia. My 3 and half year battle took the form of months of continuous treatment, chemotherapy, weeks of hospital stays and it was filled with times of doubt and serious concern about my survival. In the year 2000, it was estimated 50% of individuals who were diagnosed survived. This number has increased during the 21st century and now 8 in 10 children survive Leukaemia thanks to money put towards medical research. However, blood cancer is still the 3rd biggest cancer killer (more than breast and prostate each year in the UK), and is the 5th most common cancer type. 

Thankfully I was given the all clear at the Sick Kids Hospital, Edinburgh. I can gladly say now that I have been able to live a happy and healthy life so far. As a family we know that my chance of survival increased thanks to the continued development of new drugs and treatment methods that can fight against blood cancer, therefore we cannot stress enough the need for fundraising. 

Our challenge, in order to raise £3000 for Blood Cancer UK (UK’s Leading Blood Cancer Research Charity), is for my dad and I to cycle from the Royal Berkshire Hospital (Reading), to the Sick Kids Hospital (Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh). We are starting our cycle where my diagnosis and treatment began, and finishing where I was eventually given the all clear. The journey will take 6 days and will demand a grueling 100-120km bike ride per day. The tough training regime has already begun as we prepare to complete this challenge in Summer 2021.

As a family we’d like to ask you to donate money to help fund research for blood cancer research, and also to support the families that are affected by blood cancer like ours. Any money you donate will go directly to Blood Cancer UK, where they can distribute to research and to family care and support. Please show your support by donating any spare money you have. We would appreciate it hugely. Also to support our challenge please do share this across your social media platforms. 

Lastly, thank you all for taking the time to read our story and for donating. We hope it can help someone with Blood Cancer just like it helped me.

Thank you. 

The Lairds.