Brett Grist
Brett's Beating Blood Cancer on Kilimanjaro
Fundraising for Blood Cancer UK
Story
My story
As many of you will know, in spring 2014 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Initial results from treatment looked positive, however in 2015 I relapsed, and had to undergo further chemo and eventually a demanding Stem Cell Transplant, on 20 October 2015. After a tough period of recovery I am now back at full strength and the future for me and my family is now very positive.
However, I am conscious that I have been exceptionally fortunate. Many people do not survive, and a proportion of those who do, suffer effects that compromise their quality of life.
I am keen to do what I can to help on this, and so to mark what will be the sixth anniversary of my transplant, I plan to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. What makes this even more special is that I will be doing this with my donor, David, who with the rest of our team will be raising for sister charity Anthony Nolan.
I plan to self-fund my trip, meaning that every pound you donate will go to Blood Cancer UK. It is a major challenge for me; whilst I am in good health now, as recently as 2016 walking down the road was a significant effort due to the after effects of my treatment.
Why Blood Cancer UK?
Early on in my treatment I learnt just how poor outlooks can be for many blood cancer patients. They collectively are the third biggest cause of cancer deaths, killing more people than breast or prostate cancer, which are themselves major killers. Better, kinder treatments are needed, both to improve survival rates and extend and improve quality of life for those who cannot yet be cured. As part of my first round of treatment I took part in a trial - unfortunately it did not work for me, but has hopefully added to the knowledge base.
BCUK have been working to beat blood cancer since 1960. Since then they have raised and invested more than £500 million into research, with £90 million currently invested in projects. At the time the charity was set up, only 10% of children with a type of leukaemia (ALL)survived. That figure has now been reversed so that 90% of children with ALL now survive. More needs to and can be done, both for other types of blood cancers, and people of all ages.
I am doing what I can to help BCUK on this, as the research carried out before has undoubtedly helped to save my life and has meant my kids have still got a Dad. I have however seen others, many young, who have not been so lucky. If you can help it would be really appreciated.
Thank you,
Brett, Bushra, Omar, Isra, and Sam
Why Blood Cancer UK?
Early on in my treatment I learnt just how poor outlooks can be for many blood cancer patients. They collectively are the third biggest cause of cancer deaths, killing more people than breast or prostate cancer, which are themselves major killers. Better, kinder treatments are needed, both to improve survival rates and extend and improve quality of life for those who cannot yet be cured. As part of my first round of treatment I took part in a trial - unfortunately it did not work for me, but has hopefully added to the knowledge base.
BCUK have been working to beat blood cancer since 1960. Since then they have raised and invested more than £500 million into research, with £90 million currently invested in projects. At the time the charity was set up, only 10% of children with a type of leukaemia (ALL)survived. That figure has now been reversed so that 90% of children with ALL now survive. More needs to and can be done, both for other types of blood cancers, and people of all ages.
I am doing what I can to help BCUK on this, as the research carried out before has undoubtedly helped to save my life and has meant my kids have still got a Dad. I have however seen others, many young, who have not been so lucky. If you can help it would be really appreciated.
Thank you,
Brett, Bushra, Omar, Isra, and Sam