I have always wanted to do the London Marathon. As a sports enthusiast, I have played football from an early age and currently play for a Ladies team in Wigan. After having completed the BUPA Great North Run in September 2014, the London Marathon is the next challenge I am hoping to conquer.

Grandad was firstly diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in August 2013. This is a blood disorder where the balance of healthy blood cells in the body is disrupted. For this reason people with MDS have a low blood count, thereby needing regular blood and platelet transfusions and are susceptible to everyday infections.

Grandad was told that he was at low risk of his MDS developing into leukaemia, but attended Southport Day Unit for regular transfusions and check ups. By Christmas 2013, Grandad was needing more blood transfusions, then on January 5th he caught an infection and was admitted to Southport Hospital.

Whilst in hospital Grandad was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. This came as a huge shock, not only to all my family but also the doctors who were surprised at the rate with which the leukaemia had developed. He was offered a chemotherapy trial which started immediately. Unfortunately this treatment lowered his blood counts further and he subsequently caught a chest infection. He was taken to  where his condition worsened to such a point we were told Grandad may not make it through the night. Fortunately he pulled through although still had to contend with extensive nose bleeds and secondary infections. This meant that the doctors at  felt he was not able to withstand any more chemotherapy and Grandad was given three months to live.

Our family felt we needed a second opinion and were referred to The Christie Hospital in Manchester. They offered Grandad six sessions of a new trial and he started immediately on 16 April 2014. Each session lasted seven days and he had to travel each day to Christies. In the three weeks between sessions he still had to attend  two to three times a week for blood and platelet transfusions.

Each session was a new battle and we never gave up hope. The treatment made Grandad feel very tired and sickly and he lost a considerable amount of weight. After the sixth session, we were told that the leukaemia in his bone marrow had halved, however he was still not producing healthy blood cells as was hoped. Grandad continued with one more session but he had become so weak and tired it was evident he could not carry on with the treatment.

My Mum and Uncle took him to  for what would become his last platelet transfusion on Tuesday 11^th November. The doctors were surprised that Grandad had even made it to hospital and advised that he travel home in an ambulance, and again told my family that he would probably not make it through the night. The whole family stayed with Grandad knowing he didn’t have long left and a week later on Tuesday 18^th November, he lost his fight for life and passed away peacefully at home with his family around him.

Grandad was always hopeful and encouraged that by partaking in the chemotherapy trials, the analysis of his treatment would benefit the research into leukaemia and lymphoma for future patients.

The last year has been an emotional rollercoaster, as my family and I came to terms with Grandad’s illness and supported him through chemotherapy and the regular trips to hospital. At the age of 73, Grandad was still very much involved in his family run business ‘Huntapac Produce Limited’. He was very fit and active right up until January when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Grandad was ill for less than a year. That was how quickly this terrible disease took our much loved, previously healthy Grandad away from us. His recent passing away has left a huge hole in our lives.

This is why I am running the London Marathon 2015 in loving memory of Grandad, and in support of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Their work is hugely important, dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Through researching the cause of blood cancer, they are hoping to one day stop the development of it all together. For this life saving work to continue, they rely on your donations.

I am hoping to raise £8000. Please donate generously to help beat blood cancer. Any donations that would help me reach my target amount would be much appreciated. 

Thankyou.