In March 2015, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. The
leukaemia was a secondary cancer caused by previous chemotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2013. My chances of survival were poor. I spent about 5 months in hospital having chemotherapy and then, in June 2015, a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant. I was finally allowed out of hospital in August, and then spent months rehabilitating at home while my new immune system began to function. Cycling was already an important part of my life; it became an important part of my rehabilitation. 

That was almost 3 years ago. I am now in long term remission and living a normal life once again. I was fortunate that the expertise and care I received from the consultants and nurses at the haematology department of the Leicester Royal Infirmary was outstanding. I was fortunate that Anthony Nolan were able to find a donor who provided me with the stem cells that enabled me to have a successful transplant. I was fortunate that the donor also provided me with lymphocytes in 2016 to ensure that the stem cell engraftment remained successful. I have been extremely fortunate and never lose sight of how much I owe to my medics, my donor and to Anthony Nolan.  

Raising money for Anthony Nolan will enable me, in a small way, to repay a little of the care, support and understanding I received during many months of life threatening illness. I will be doing the ride, and much of the training, with Lynda Beck, a specialist Lymphoma nurse and regular cycling companion who is also riding in support of Anthony Nolan. She put up with regular moaning about tiredness during my long months of cycling rehabilitation, and still does today! 

Every day, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancers and blood disorders. They do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells, to people who desperately need a lifesaving transplant. They also carry out important scientific research, fund specialist post-transplant nurses and support patients and their families through the transplant process and beyond. They won’t stop until they save the lives of everyone who needs a stem cell transplant. Every penny you donate brings them closer to that day.

I thank you all for your support.

All the best,

David