In January 2017, my wife Julia (Nick Ritchie) and my sister (Paul Lindquist) was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer called MDS / MPN overlap while six months pregnant with her second son Lucas. Shortly after his birth, her disease progressed into an acute myeloid leukaemia and after four months in hospital and two rounds of very aggressive chemotherapy, she went on to have a life-saving stem cell transplant via an anonymous donor, through the charity Anthony Nolan. 

After a fairly long recovery process she is now in robust health and living a full life once more, all thanks to the work of Anthony Nolan, the kindness of a complete stranger and the amazing NHS. 

Every day, Anthony Nolan match incredible individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who desperately need lifesaving transplants. The charity helps three people each day find that lifesaving match. But without you, there is no cure.

For someone (like Julia) with blood cancer - the fifth most common type of cancer -  a stem cell transplant could be the last chance of survival. Your support could help us give other people like Julia and us, their family and their friends, a second chance at life. 

Anthony Nolan is only able to do this through fundraising efforts which go towards recruiting more donors to the register, tissue typing, searching for matches, research, fundraising and raising awareness and education about blood cancer. 

On Sunday 13th October, we will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of Anthony Nolan. 

This may sound easy for some but with multiple ankle injuries for Paul and Nick never having run a race in his life (and reaching a max of 6km in training so far) this will be a challenge. 

Please support us and help continue to raise money for  Anthony Nolan via the page below. 

In the meantime, if you haven’t already but would like to sign up to the register as a potential donor please visit Anthony Nolan’s website for more info if you’re under 30 or DKMS to sign up if you’re over 30. 

Thanks and wish us luck!

Nick and Paul

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