I joined Wokingham Cricket Club (WCC) in 2012 as an U12.  I progressed through the age groups - was part of the U15 Berkshire champions’ squad – and moved into adult cricket.  In 2017 I started at Birmingham University where I joined their cricket club and was a very active number - playing in their 3^rd team and being a social secretary in my 2^nd year.

In March 2020 aged 21 I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.  An initial round of chemotherapy put me into remission.  Being diagnosed just before Covid hit meant I only had visitors for the first week of treatment and then this was restricted to just my mum who had to move onto the ward with me.   The genetic mutation causing the leukaemia meant that chemotherapy alone would not be an option and that I needed a stem cell transplant.  Fortunately, a donor was found  by the Anthony Nolan Charity and I had the stem cell transplant in July 2020.  The transplant went well, and my recovery proceeded without any major complications - I even
managed to play a little bit of cricket for WCC in the 2021 season. 

Unfortunately, I relapsed in July 2021.  Normally, after relapse within a year of transplant, there is no option for further treatment however, because of my age and because I had got so close to the year mark I was offered further chemotherapy to hopefully put me back into remission and then another transplant if that was successful.  The chance of success was low and if I wasn’t put back into remission the chemotherapy could shorten the time I had left.  However, I chose the treatment as to do nothing was choosing to die which was not an option. 

So, in August 2022 I went back into hospital, this time completely on my own, again due to Covid restrictions, not knowing whether I would actually come out again.  I spent 5 weeks in isolation, but the good news was that it did put me back into remission.  The hunt was then on for another donor again found by Anthony Nolan Charity.  I had my second stem cell transplant in December and made it out of hospital just before Christmas.

I am now over 6 months post-transplant, my recovery has been
tougher this time round as my body has been through so much over the last 2 ½ years, but at my last bone marrow assessment there was no evidence of disease.  Obviously I am still very mindful of what happened last year so my confidence in a long-term prognosis is quite low.

As well as raising money for the Anthony Nolan Charity which
found both my donors, I am also trying to encourage people to join their stem cell register as they desperately need more donors.  If you are interested in doing this please go to their website.

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