The 7th of June 2024 marked three years since my cousin, Ayesha, passed away from acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She was diagnosed a few days before her 17th birthday, and unfortunately left us less than 6 months later. She was a selfless beacon of joy whose loss was an absolute shock to the whole family, and one that I don't think I will ever fully process.

Ayesha had to wait for an "external" bone marrow donor to be found, as her direct family weren't a match for her. Her family eventually got the call about a potential donation a few hours after she had tragically passed. This is why I didn't hesitate to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register when I found out about it, as that donation could've potentially saved her life.

Anthony Nolan help 4 patients a day in need of a transplant, giving people with blood cancer and rare blood disorders another chance to live. A chance that my cousin unfortunately didn't get. I'm running the London Landmarks Half Marathon and raising money for them to keep providing this help to people in need. It costs 40 GBP to add someone to the register (think of the lab work involved in processing someone's tissue type, etc.), so I'm aiming to raise enough money to cover at least 10 people signing up.

As she was battling AML, Ayesha told people she'd decided she wanted to become a doctor to help others, as doctors were helping her. She didn't directly get that opportunity, but please join me in trying to carry out her wish, as I do this all in her name. Thank you.