A dream team of four of us will be running (some slower than others) the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 14th May 2023! 

Tamara's story: 

As some of you may already know, in December 2022, my stepdad, Richard, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (also known as AML). It is a rare type of blood cancer which makes up around 1% of cancer diagnoses per year. It has been a pretty devastating and uncertain time for my family and I but with the incredible care and support of Kingston Hospital, as well as the outstanding research already undertaken by leukaemia charities across the UK, my stepdad is on the road to recovery. 

Despite AML being uncommon, there has been a dramatic advancement in research diagnosis and treatment in recent years and we would like to help this to continue. With a prognosis of 9 months of chemotherapy, Richard is getting the treatment he needs to fight this horrible disease. It is still early days but we have to remain hopeful and my family and I are forever grateful to everyone who has supported us and Richard so far. 

In order to show my gratitude and continued support for all the doctors, nurses, carers, charities, families, friends and, of course, patients that this illness is affecting and has affected, I have decided to put up a fight myself by dusting off the running shoes and moving my little legs as fast as I can across Leeds. Lucas, Alex, Sudding and I will all be raising money for Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK so they can continue to help families and patients to diagnose and overcome the disease. Through funding stem cell research, storage, therapies and blood banking, Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK, are aiming to become the leading UK blood cancer charity. 

Please look through the media to see my absolute LEGEND of a stepdad in his prime! Those of you that have met him will know that he really is one of a kind :)

Alex's story:

My brilliant grandad, Geoff (see pics :)) was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome - a form of blood cancer where stem cells in bone marrow essentially do not become healthy blood cells. This means he has had to undergo various unpleasant treatments and bravely continues to fight a truly horrible disease with so much determination. As Tamara has described, Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK does amazing work to help our equally amazing health service to aid people fighting these conditions. 

As you can see, this charity is close to both my and Alex's heart. We are so grateful to Sudding and Lucas for choosing to support this charity with us - you bet we are going to run our bloody socks off and together we are going to help combat cancer!! 

Any donations, big or small (we know there's a cost of living crisis) will be so greatly appreciated. If you’re struggling financially (students, we know how you feel) but would like some other free, life-saving, quick and easy options, please: 

- Donate blood - sign up here: https://www.blood.co.uk

- Join the stem cell register via the Antony Nolan Foundation (only eligible if you are aged 16-30) - https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/join-stem-cell-register

A little bit about Anthony Nolan from Alex: Anthony Nolan are a truly wonderful charity who help match stem cell donors to people in need of life-saving treatment. My good friend Billy; one of the most insanely impressive young men I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, underwent a transplant recently and this has helped no end in his continued battle with cancer. This is why I encourage anyone between 16-30 to sign up to the Antony Nolan stem cell register - it is so quick and easy and has the potential to completely change people’s lives for the better.

Thank you very much in advance for any donation you make. 

If you fancy being extra charitable, check out our wonderful friends Izzy and Ione's Just Giving page - they're raising money for Alzheimer's Society:  https://www.justgiving.com/team/izzyandionerunfordementia 

In the meantime, let’s go team!

Best wishes, 

Tamara, Alex, Lucas and Sudding