Simply- this is to save lives.

Sign up here to be a donor: www.raceagianstbloodcancer.com

This takes no time, and is a simple mouth swab (far easier than a covid swab).

Blood cancers are huge range of conditions and the 5th most common type of cancer in the UK. Treatment options vary including stem cell and bone marrow , but in order to have this you need donors, and not just any ol' person- they have to be matched based on a number of markers including HLA. HLA are herditetory, race and ethnicity play a huge part in finding a matching donor.

If you are black, asian, mixed or minority ethnicity your chances are as low as 1 in 5 of finding a match- it is this inequality that Race Against Blood Cancer is trying to flight.

A few of your pounds will help Race Against Blood Cancer set up initiatives to increase the volume and diversity of people who sign up as potentially life saving donors.

Why am I doing it?

I may ask myself that same question whilst I am battling the blisters and sand.

But simply it is because in health care there are so many inequalities, working in the NHS this is becoming ever more apparent, the barriers or miscommunication, lack of information and access is what this charity seeks to improve- making a lasting affect for not only donor registration but wider access to healthcare.

Lastly, I turned 40 and promised myself that I would do something that would challenge me - we leave for the Sahara the day before my 41st birthday!