Dear friends and family,

On 21st April 2024, I'll be lacing up my snazzy new Brookes and running the London Marathon. But this marathon isn't just about clocking miles; it's a celebration of life, resilience, and a big thank you to Anthony Nolan, the charity which means a lot to my family.

My mum faced an incredible battle against acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare blood cancer, for years. She fought it not once, but twice. When she relapsed she was given 2 months to live and by this stage, she’d already endured 14 months of isolated hospitalisation and the prospect of facing AML again, with none of her family members as a potential donor match, was beyond daunting. 

That's when Anthony Nolan stepped in and found her an anonymous donor. This remarkable charity works with hospitals and donor registries around the world to make lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells to people like my mum when their families aren’t a match. 

Without Anthony Nolan Jo wouldn’t be here, hence there will never be another charity closer I’d want to support more

Joanna’s Story: Joanna's Anthony Nolan StoryYouTube · Anthony Nolan1 minute, 52 seconds16 May 2019

All money raised will go to giving people with blood cancer a second opportunity at life, to have another boogie on a Saturday night and to be loved by those around them - all the mundane things we take for granted. 

My goal of raising £5000 will add over 125 people to the register and provide 125 more potential matches to save lives just like my mum’s. 

Here’s to a lot of hungover Sunday plods,

Lots of love, Alice xx