At age 35 when Emily and James were 5 and 3 respectively, with symptoms for only a couple of weeks I was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia while living and working for six years in Washington, DC.

I was fortunate to 1) be insured, 2) be diagnosed and treated quickly, 3) respond rapidly to chemotherapy. My amazing long-term recovery was down to 4) the fact that my brother Chris was a full and willing stem cell transplant match.

I am also forever indebted to the many family and friends who supported me, Jennie, Emily and James throughout this period of our lives. None more than Jennie herself. And then my mum and dad, Pam and Brian, who spent more weeks in Baltimore than they could otherwise have imagined.

Many others are not so lucky to have a family match, however. That is where the charity Anthony Nolan in the UK, like Be the Match in the US, offer patients and families the prospect of a full recovery from various aggressive forms of cancer.

2026 - being 10 years on from my diagnosis (and 20 on from my third marathon) I thought it was more than time to give something back. That is why I am running the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April to raise awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan.

If you can, please give blood, sign up for the stem cell register, or join me in making a donation in support of this cause!

Anthony Nolan’s world-leading stem cell register, groundbreaking cell and gene therapy research and expertise in stem cell transplants means they currently help four patients a day in need of a transplant, giving more people another chance to live.

But they are committed to doing more. Driven by patients, backed by stem cell donors, powered by science, and with your support, they won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all, and every patient can survive and thrive.