My dad didn’t die of leukaemia. He didn’t, because his type of leukaemia was treatable thanks to advances in research. Just a couple of years before his diagnosis, breakthroughs in blood cancer research had led to a cure for his type. Something else took my dad away, but when I think of him—when I miss him most—the image that comes to mind is the big smile he had the day he told us his leukaemia was treatable.

He came to visit us and surprised us because he wanted to share the news in person. He hid behind a car, jumped out with a playful “boo!”, and wore the most radiant smile. He ran toward his grandchildren and wrapped them in the biggest hug. That’s how I want to remember my dad: with his mischievous grin, always ready to laugh, to open his arms wide, and to hold us close, his eyes sparkling with joy. People tell me I have his smile and it is the best compliment I can wish for.

This is why I chose this charity. Because research gave him hope. It gave him happiness and more time to live with leukaemia. Though something else took him from us far too soon, I hold on to that smile. And I want to contribute to research against blood cancer, so that someone else can find the cure they deserve—and share more smiles with the people they love.