I'm raising funds to support  Blood Cancer UK. My mum has been diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythaemia, a blood condition that affects the platelets and which requires her to take chemotherapy every day. My mum is coping well, although she now gets very tired and can't walk more than a few hundred metres.

I'm a leukaemia researcher working at Newcastle University and know that vital research is the best weapon we have against these devastating conditions. My team have recently discovered the genetic risk factors for acute myeloid leukaemia, which you can read about here:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2021/10/amlresearch/

A key finding is that our own immune system is one of the best defences we have against leukaemia, both in terms of preventing and treating this disease.

A little bit about Blood Cancer UK:

We're a community dedicated to beating blood cancer. We do this by funding research and supporting those affected. Since 1960, we've invested over £500 million in blood cancer research, transforming treatments and saving lives. Right now, our community is funding 360 researchers and staff across the UK who are searching for the next breakthrough. The day we will beat blood cancer is now in sight and the researchers are determined to finish the job.