Earlier this year my mother was diagnosed with Myeloma. For those that haven’t heard of Myeloma, it is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside the inner part of some of our large bones. The bone marrow produces different types of blood cells. Myeloma can develop wherever there are plasma cells.

Myeloma develops when DNA is damaged during the development of a plasma cell. This abnormal cell then starts to multiply and spread within the bone marrow. The abnormal plasma cells release a large amount of a single type of antibody – known as paraprotein – which has no useful function.

Unlike many cancers, myeloma does not exist as a lump or tumour. Most of the medical problems related to myeloma are caused by the build-up of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and the presence of the paraprotein in the body.

Myeloma affects multiple places in the body, which is why it is referred to sometimes as ‘multiple’ myeloma. Myeloma affects where bone marrow is normally active in an adult, such as in the bones of the spine, skull, pelvis, the rib cage, long bones of the arms and legs and the areas around the shoulders and hips.

Mum has been truly inspiring and an absolute trooper. She is a very proud woman by trait. She loves her family more then anything and is someone who will never show you her weak side - which is what makes it so hard when trying to find out how she is really doing.

She has had chemo now for 5 months and awaiting stem cell treatment involving 3 weeks in isolation. The chemo consists of 4 weeks on with the next being a rest week where she’ll meet with her consultant to see how it’s going.

Anybody who has had a family member go through cancer treatment knows how tough it is to just stand aside and watch. We always wish it were us that could take the treatment for them as watching a loved one in pain is incomparable. 

This is my first charity fundraiser for a charity that has a personal connection to me. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing people that want to help my family and I too that we have entered 5 mixed teams of 4 into this competition of over 800 athletes in October. For some this is their first ever fitness competition and they’re battling their own anxiety nerves for me, which means more then you could ever know. 

My team at Crossfit Uckfield have been amazing so thank you. Please help support them as they have me, and we can raise as much money for Myeloma UK over the next coming weeks. 

Mum, we don’t do this to make you proud, we do this because we love you and because we are so very proud of you...