Don Emmerson
Make a difference today
Fundraising for Anthony Nolan
Story
Many of you will know Karen's story.
For those that do not, Karen passed away 1st August 2005 from complications following a bone marrow transplant.
In all Karen was in hospital for six months during 2005.
She never complained during the gruelling chemotherapy treatment, and once the transplant was complete, seemed well on the road to recovery.
We were engaged to be married on 31st March 2006, (the anniversary of her transplant) following 8 years together.
What followed was a tragedy which none of us expected.
Karen had a reactivation of CMV, a virus which many of us carry. As her immune system was compromised by the transplant, her ability to fight off the virus was very much diminished.
Eventually it moved to her lungs causing pneumonia from which she never recovered.
I am determined that Karen's strength and courage througout her treatment will not be in vain.
The Anthony Nolan Trust undertakes a great deal of research regarding bone marrow transaplantation; including how better to control CMV post transplant.
Please, please donate to my cause. There are currently thousands of people awaiting bone marrow donors in the UK alone. Bone marrow transplantation can literally give these people the gift of life.
The Anthony Nolan Trust is a completely self-funded charity (i.e. no government sponsorship). See http://www.AnthonyNolan.com for more information.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Anthony Nolan Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Please note that I have never run a marathon before, so please sponsor me now! Thank You
UPDATE
I am delighted to say I completed all 26.2 miles of the London Marathon on Sunday. It was an absolutely fabulous experience and for anyone considering it I would highly recommend it.
As some of you know, I have been struggling for the last month with a knee injury (illotibial band syndrome). Unfortunately it flared up again after 8 miles in; which left me another 18 to go. I won't go into the details, however I tried stopping and stretching, strapping the knee (even running backwards) to try and keep the pain under control.
As a result, my time took a hammering and I finished in just over 6 hours.
I fully intend to run another, as I'm sure I can go sub 5 hours if not under 4:30.
On to the important stuff.
I originally set out to raise £15,000 for the trust which would be stretching. A lot of people questioned my confidence in reaching that target.
Knowing all of my friends and colleagues as I do, I had a high level of confidence that I would reach it. However I was not prepared for the fact that I actually exceeded it.
Karen's family and my own (as well as myself obviously) have been truly overwhelmed at the response we have received to this effort.
Having spoken with the charity last week, they are also delighted at how much I have raised.
Now, I say "I" have raised but that is a complete misnomer. It is you guys who made the donations, gave support and encouragement both ahead of the event and on the day itself.
To re-iterate,the amount I have raised is a direct result of YOUR generosity. I am trying to get round and thank everyone individually, but please understand it takes time.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate my effort to the following:
* To those people who undertake charity work all of the time. I did this for a very personal reason, those guys do it as it is their very nature
* To those that have sponsored me and supported me through this endeavour and the last 18 months
* Finally, and most importantly, to my Karen. I felt she was with me every step of the way and I miss her loads.
Don
For those that do not, Karen passed away 1st August 2005 from complications following a bone marrow transplant.
In all Karen was in hospital for six months during 2005.
She never complained during the gruelling chemotherapy treatment, and once the transplant was complete, seemed well on the road to recovery.
We were engaged to be married on 31st March 2006, (the anniversary of her transplant) following 8 years together.
What followed was a tragedy which none of us expected.
Karen had a reactivation of CMV, a virus which many of us carry. As her immune system was compromised by the transplant, her ability to fight off the virus was very much diminished.
Eventually it moved to her lungs causing pneumonia from which she never recovered.
I am determined that Karen's strength and courage througout her treatment will not be in vain.
The Anthony Nolan Trust undertakes a great deal of research regarding bone marrow transaplantation; including how better to control CMV post transplant.
Please, please donate to my cause. There are currently thousands of people awaiting bone marrow donors in the UK alone. Bone marrow transplantation can literally give these people the gift of life.
The Anthony Nolan Trust is a completely self-funded charity (i.e. no government sponsorship). See http://www.AnthonyNolan.com for more information.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Anthony Nolan Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Please note that I have never run a marathon before, so please sponsor me now! Thank You
UPDATE
I am delighted to say I completed all 26.2 miles of the London Marathon on Sunday. It was an absolutely fabulous experience and for anyone considering it I would highly recommend it.
As some of you know, I have been struggling for the last month with a knee injury (illotibial band syndrome). Unfortunately it flared up again after 8 miles in; which left me another 18 to go. I won't go into the details, however I tried stopping and stretching, strapping the knee (even running backwards) to try and keep the pain under control.
As a result, my time took a hammering and I finished in just over 6 hours.
I fully intend to run another, as I'm sure I can go sub 5 hours if not under 4:30.
On to the important stuff.
I originally set out to raise £15,000 for the trust which would be stretching. A lot of people questioned my confidence in reaching that target.
Knowing all of my friends and colleagues as I do, I had a high level of confidence that I would reach it. However I was not prepared for the fact that I actually exceeded it.
Karen's family and my own (as well as myself obviously) have been truly overwhelmed at the response we have received to this effort.
Having spoken with the charity last week, they are also delighted at how much I have raised.
Now, I say "I" have raised but that is a complete misnomer. It is you guys who made the donations, gave support and encouragement both ahead of the event and on the day itself.
To re-iterate,the amount I have raised is a direct result of YOUR generosity. I am trying to get round and thank everyone individually, but please understand it takes time.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate my effort to the following:
* To those people who undertake charity work all of the time. I did this for a very personal reason, those guys do it as it is their very nature
* To those that have sponsored me and supported me through this endeavour and the last 18 months
* Finally, and most importantly, to my Karen. I felt she was with me every step of the way and I miss her loads.
Don