Dear donators,

In June 2022 Kayleigh Maughan moved from Leeds to London to start a rewarding new job – counselling young women and girls at risk of domestic abuse. Now, Kayleigh and her family need your support in an unexpected battle for survival.

Kayleigh was taken ill on her way to work on 5th September 2022. After being rushed to A&E at Whittington Hospital in North London with an infection, blood tests revealed the devastating news that Kayleigh has leukaemia. Further tests have shown that the condition is well advanced, and as a result, her blood condition is so poor that she has been too unwell to receive the urgent chemotherapy needed to save her life. The first bone marrow test was inconclusive, and the family are awaiting the results of a second bone marrow test to determine the type of leukaemia and the specific treatment needed. During these past few gruelling weeks in hospital, Kayleigh has contracted further infections resulting in sepsis, which she is currently being treated for. She is on constant morphine to alleviate the agonising bone pain and has received 12 blood transfusions in efforts to make her healthy enough to receive chemo. In short, Kayleigh’s condition is extremely serious. Making the situation even harder, Kayleigh is hundreds of miles away from her home and friends up north, and the comfort of family is crucial to her wellbeing.

Since Kayleigh was admitted to hospital in early September, her parents Allison and Dave have stayed by her bedside 24/7, operating a shift system where one of them is with her in her room at the hospital and one of them leaves to go and get some sleep. Having taken compassionate leave from their jobs in West Yorkshire, Allison and Dave have been staying at hotels and B&Bs in walking distance to Whittington Hospital because the risk of infection is so dangerous to their daughter that they must not travel on public transport or share accommodation with others. Allison and Dave also booked a private ambulance at a cost of £800 to transport Kayleigh to St James Hospital in Leeds to start chemotherapy. However, the journey had to be cancelled due to Kayleigh’s declining health, and doctors have since advised that Kayleigh must remain in London for treatment, pending the results of the second bone marrow test come.

It goes without saying that the family are devastated by the crushing turn of events. Instead of enjoying her new life in London as a happy, healthy 25-year-old, Kayleigh is fighting for her life and the greatest comfort her family can give is to be with her at all times.

As news of Kayleigh’s condition has spread, many people have asked how they can help. If you would like to show your support during this very difficult time, donations will ease the financial burden and most importantly for the coming weeks and months, help to secure longer term accommodation for the family to stay in London.

Thank you so much in advance for your heartfelt support and contributions – Kayleigh and her family are very grateful indeed. If you would like to keep track of Kayleigh’s progress, please check this page for updates while her family concentrate on providing round the clock love and care in hospital.

Many thanks and much love to you all xxx