In December 2019 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). I began a journey I never anticipated but I have never been alone. My family, friends, work colleagues and even my own patients have been with me every step of the way. I have had the most  exceptional care from the haematology oncology team at the very same hospital where I work and am immensely grateful for innovative treatment that has successfully treated my leukemia, in a particularly challenging COVID era. One  special addition to my hospital room supplied by the hospital’s charity was a spinning bike. And I have spent the last six months peddling away and getting myself fit and healthy. The next step is to prevent the leukemia returning. For this I require a stem cell transplant. I am so fortunate to have a full sibling match, and my sister, who lives in Israel was only too willing to donate her cells. This involved daily injections of a hormone to stimulate her bone marrow to produce excess stem cells for a week. Following this she sat in a comfy chair at Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Registry for a few hours over two days with a line going into one arm which removed her blood, this then passed through a machine where the stem cells were filtered off and stored. The remaining blood was then returned through a line in her other arm. This was during the peak of COVID. Anthony Nolan were able to facilitate this harvesting and the subsequent courier to Heathrow Airport and then the ultimate destination -St. James’s Hospital, Leeds. During the quarantine period, the courier has transported over 60 donations across the world. Making personal sacrifices by not seeing his own family to save the lives of others. 

I am lucky, as I have a fully matched sibling who can donate her stem cells to me. Not everyone is as fortunate. Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or blood disorder every day. They not only do this by facilitating the collection of related donors stem cells, they also do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells to people they do not know who desperately need a lifesaving transplant. They also carry out cutting edge 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 challenge myself to virtually cycle the 3207 miles my stem cells have travelled to reach me. I hope to complete this challenge by my transplant birthday 23.7.21. I invite you to sponsor me to do the challenge either by sponsoring as a one off or per mile. You’re also welcome to virtually cycle with me for motivation and distance and I will add you to my travel map! 

Thanks so much 💜💜💜