I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in January 2024 and am currently undergoing treatment, working towards being clear for the disease. It has been a difficult journey and one which has taken me very close to death in the beginning. The disease is punishing as is the treatment for it; it's complex and needs highly trained medical staff as well as all of the research behind it to give people like me a chance at survival; the rate at which is around 14% at the moment and affects people of all ages.

The scary part is that the symptoms can be nothing more than flu like and depending on how aggressive your AML is, can quickly become life threatening. Only blood tests can spot the disease which is not common place for a flu type virus diagnosis - working with your GP is key to giving you a chance. I was lucky.

In my (hopeful) recovery I wanted to set myself a challenge and with the support of my fabulous running partner (noting I can only actually walk 2000 steps in one go at the moment), we will be attempting to run a half marathon and raise a shed load of cash for Blood Cancer UK.

Since 1960, they'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.