Forty-four people every day are diagnosed with Leukaemia: my mum Mandy is one of those people. When a diagnosis of cancer is delivered, the world of the patient and their family changes irrevocably - life as a metaphorical journey stops. Cancer takes away everything a person is and often everything they will ever be. Regardless of what came before, existence is condensed to a series of numbers. Survival becomes a matter of simple arithmetic. First, the date of the diagnosis, next, the time of each appointment, critically, the dosage of the treatment and most importantly the measurements provided by the blood tests. If the diagnosis is early enough, treatment is prescribed accurately enough, and the drugs taken consistently enough then numbers add up to survival.

Fortunately, for my mum the arithmetic added up. So, now the most important number of all, another date, on the 18th of April 2026 she will reach her 10year survival anniversary, a milestone that we didn’t dare hope would be achieved. Though she will never be Leukaemia free the treatment available and support provided make a semblance of a normal life possible. Much of the credit for this positive outcome is due to the work of many clinicians, researchers, and charities.

Leukaemia Care is a charity that offers a range of services to those living with blood cancer. They aim to advocate for patients by supporting advances in treatment, helping tackle the issues that impact their lives and creating a narrative that reflects the reality that they experience. For example, Leukaemia Care facilitate ‘buddying’ support networks. These allow patients to support one another, and this initiative is something that my mum participates in and finds hugely helpful, both for her and those that she supports.

My aim is to celebrate her 10year anniversary by running the London marathon on the 26th of April 2026, 10 years 1week and a single day after her original diagnosis.

This will be part of a year-long fundraising campaign which includes my mum’s participation in the Loch Ness sportive, a 66mile cycle ride taking place on the 27th of April 2025 (COMPLETED - photo in gallery) and my dad’s competing in the Grafman triathlon, a half-iron distance swim, bike and run event taking place on the 1st of June 2025 (COMPLETED - photo in gallery).

Please support me and my family’s efforts to raise essential funds to support all those suffering from blood cancer.

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