In February 2023, After noticing a lump under my collar bone whilst on deployment,I received the life-altering diagnosis of stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant, I was faced with the heartbreaking news that I required a donor stem cell transplant to save my life in May 2024. My sister, unfortunately, was not a viable match, which led us to turn to the global stem cell register in search of hope.

This is where Anthony Nolan's stem cell register became a beacon of light in my darkest hour. Amazingly, I found a full match on the register immediately, and after undergoing several rounds of conditioning chemotherapy, I received my transplant in September 2024. Just a few months later, in January 2025, I was given the all-clear.

I have since returned to my job within the Royal Navy and moved back to my own home. I have also been able to return to fitness and achieve goals I would have never though possible.

Despite this incredibly tough battle, I consider myself fortunate; the day that hero joined the stem cell register, they saved my life. Many others are not as lucky and are still waiting for their match to join the register. This realization has ignited a passion within me to raise awareness about the importance of becoming a stem cell donor because you could be someone’s lifesaving hero.

I am now using my second chance at life to advocate for this vital cause, which includes participating in the adidas Manchester Marathon this April (completed) and The Great North Run in September to raise vital funds. My goal is to raise as much as i can for Anthony Nolan to support their crucial work in finding matches for those in need and furthering research into future transplants. Together, we can make a difference and give hope to those still waiting for their miracle.

Anthony Nolan’s world-leading stem cell register, groundbreaking cell and gene therapy research and expertise in stem cell transplants means we currently help four patients a day in need of a transplant, giving more people another chance to live. But we know we can, and must, do more. Driven by patients, backed by stem cell donors, powered by science, and with your support, we won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all, and every patient can survive and thrive.

£40 is enough money to add 1 donor to the stem cell register, £31 could pay for an hour of post-transplant nursing support.