Thank you for making the time to visit our JustGiving page, recently updated to include photos of 'John's Three Sisters'  The Running Team'

                                          
On December 3rd 2008 our brother John Walters died. He was one of the most modest, unassuming, loyal and selfless people you could ever hope to meet. It was the saddest day of our lives, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia had claimed yet another precious life.

In December 2002 following intensive chemotherapy and irradiation John had a successful bone marrow transplant. Tragically he relapsed in September 2008 and despite particpating in a trial and undergoing intensive chemo, a second remission and possibly another BMT became a dream. A work colleague wrote," Simply, John was a total gentleman in every sense of the word, one in a million and an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to meet and work alongside him, he will be missed'. Please reference also http://justgiving.com/johnwalters124 he meant so very much to so many.

It was soul destroying to hear your brother be told, " I am so sorry, the treatment has not worked, there is currently nothing else we can offer". What happened next was true testimony of the person our brother always will be. He stood up, he looked the doctor in the eye, shook his hand and said, "OK. Thank you for all you have done and for your honesty". It was truly very humbling. Later the doctor apologised that he could do no more, "your brother is a lovely and very special bloke, I am so very sorry". John did participate in a final trial, "I have nothing to lose, and it is important research is progressed".

For John personally the trial was not successful, but of course funds are needed to further this trial and many others, equally funds are desperately required to enable research to continue and ultimately find a cure for this disease that is non selective and strikes randomly.  From the day of his diagnosis John was always keen to participate in trials, 'to do his bit for research', in the knowledge that even if it was unsuccessful for him, others might benefit, testimony to his Doctorate in Biochemistry, his scientific mind and utter humanity.

John fought so hard to stay with us, but the final fight was just one too many and he knew his time had come. He faced his death with bravery, with dignity, with courage and without complaint. He never asked, "why me?", he just told us that one day we would know. His thoughts were only ever for those he was leaving behind, John knew where he was going and he had no fear.

Over the past few months We Sisters Three (aka Gamie, Weasel and Bob) have informally raised funds for Leukaemia Reasearch, a charity very dear to John's heart, one he proactively supported and championed for, up to his death he was in touch with other sufferers supporting and encouraging them. We now wish to 'offcially' continue the work John started, for him and in loving memory of him, so we shall be gracing the streets of Portsmouth on Sunday October 25th in The Great South Run 2009, raising much needed funds for Leukaemia research! What better motivation could there possibly be?

We absolutely know that John will be with us every single inch of the way, willing us to the finish line. He will be 'The Wind beneath our Wings' - he is our hero and he always, always will be.

Please, please support us and more importantly, dig deep for Leukaemia research. We promise to finish, even if it is on our hands and knees!

Thank you all so much

Deborah, Sarah and Susan xxx

(aka Gamie, Weasel and Bob!)