Hi, this is Steve. In 2009, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. I had a lot of chemotherapy but it didn't do the trick. I needed a stem cell transplant (some people call it a bone marrow transplant) to save my life. That incredible gift of life came from my wonderful donor (a total stranger) who had signed up to a stem cell register. The Anthony Nolan charity's genius scientists matched me with my donor and one of their superhero volunteer couriers picked up my stem cells from Germany and brought them to Leicester. The Run is just a few days before the 15th anniversary of my lifesaving transplant and a couple of weeks before my 60th birthday. What better way to celebrate the gift of life?

Hi, this is Jess. I was just 12 when my Dad went into hospital and my sister, Anna, was 10. My Dad had a cold for a few weeks that wouldn't clear up. Suddenly, he was taken into hospital and that was the beginning of 2 years of treatment. He was in hospital for a lot of that time and still very poorly when he was at home. It was a very worrying and uncertain time not having our Dad at home with us when we were so young, especially when we found out that the numerous rounds of chemotherapy hadn’t worked. Thankfully, Anthony Nolan found a lifesaving stem cell match for my Dad, who is now healthy again, and he keeps fit by running. Four years ago, we started to run together regularly (very, very slowly at first, sorry Dad!) and we have had many special times running together since then - come rain, shine and snow!

Championing Anthony Nolan has become a huge part of our family’s life since my Dad's illness. My Mum, Gillian, is a regular stem cell courier and my sister, Anna, is the Fundraising Engagement coordinator for Marrow Society alumni. At Loughborough High School, I set up the school’s first ever donor recruitment drive. At Keele University, I organised numerous donor recruitment drives and fundraising events for Marrow Society. At NEXT, where I work now, I am part of the Unity@NEXT employee-led group which chose Anthony Nolan as its Charity of the Year.

Doing the Great North Run together and raising money for such a great charity will be a very special for both of us.

We are so grateful for your support and donations to raise vital funds for this incredible, lifesaving charity.

Thanks,

Steve & Jess

Anthony Nolan’s world-leading stem cell register, groundbreaking cell and gene therapy research and expertise in stem cell transplants means they can help four patients a day whose life can only be saved by a transplant. Fundraising makes this possible and takes us towards a time when every patient can survive and thrive.