In 2021 I received news that no one ever wants to hear; one of my best and closest friends had been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia; a blood cancer that starts in bone marrow. This is what J told me following this devastating diagnosis;

“I was diagnosed two weeks before my son was born. It was one of the happiest but also saddest moments of my life not knowing if I would ever see him grow up and leaving my wife alone to bring up two children. What I have learnt on this journey with the support of family and friends is that you are not alone and there are selfless people and amazing charities like DKMS who are doing all they can to make people’s lives better”

DKMS is an international charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders. They recruit donors to provide healthy stem cell donations; giving people like my friend a second chance. It costs £40 for them to register each potential lifesaver and they rely purely on donations to cover that cost. They also invest heavily in science and research to hopefully one day eradicate this horrible disease. 

I am now training for the London Marathon which will be on 23rd April 2023. The weekly training schedule is hard both physically and emotionally. It is all consuming, taking over evenings and weekends. However this is nothing compared to what blood cancer patients endure. The thing that keeps me focused through the tougher runs (which will go up to 20 miles a day!) and no doubt on the day itself, is that together we can raise funds that will made a difference to my amazing friend and so many others through the amazing charity that is DKMS. 

My friend J, his young family and I will be eternally grateful for any donation to this much needed cause. ♥️🩸♥️