In memory of our Nan, Christine Charlish

Me, my cousin Georgia, and her partner Alex are running the Reading half marathon to raise money to help give back. I’m fairly new to running and have been training hard for the upcoming event. When I told Nan I had started running she said that’s great but don’t over do it lol. She truly was an amazing person, she always showed us all love and support in everything we did She always told me how proud she was of me for turning my life around and I’m very grateful she got to see me in a good place in my life. Our family is heart broken 💔 and will never be the same without her. Nan would want us to keep going and enjoy our life as much as possible and would be cross if we didn’t. So we are doing this for her.

Nan was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis and was cared for by the incredible team in the Haematology Department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. In her memory, and in gratitude for the care, kindness and support the team gave her and our family, we are raising money for the U501 Haematology Department Fund at the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH)

The Haematology team at the RBH have shared the following:

The Royal Berkshire Hospital has a dedicated team of Consultant Haematologists, doctors, specialist nurses and support staff who care for patients with haematological conditions, many of which are cancers.

We had the privilege of caring for Christine Charlish when she was diagnosed with myelofibrosis in April 2022. Myelofibrosis is a rare type of blood cancer that affects blood cell production by causing scarring (fibrosis) in the bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made.

While there is no cure, it is usually treated with daily medication to help people live as normal a life as possible for as long as possible. In younger patients, a bone marrow transplant may be an option.

Christine received treatment and care for three and a half years before she sadly passed away in December 2025.

The Haematology Department Fund helps the team provide better care and support for patients like Christine and their families. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference.

Please donate and/or share if you can to help us raise money in Nan’s memory. Thank you so much for your support ❤️