Mum was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the summer of 2024, and has been lucky enough to be part of the RADAR trial, which has given her access to Isatuximab, a drug that uses the immune system to destroy unwanted cells.

It has been a tough six months of treatment, but she has been robust throughout, and in typical fashion has spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren, kept the garden to perfection and maintained high spirits despite all the challenges.

The next step that starts on the 6th of January is a 'big blast' of chemotherapy followed by stem cell treatment and roughly three weeks of isolation as she will be left with no immune defence.

She is lucky enough this time to be able to have her own stem cells back, but many rely on donors and the advances in stem cell research, which has taken it from a small paragraph in text books to a life changing treatment option.

As a small way of supporting this, I am going to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for Anthony Nolan (more information below), which hopefully you can support.

This will be my first official half marathon, and despite using running around the woods / Hyde Park as a way to clear my head, a busy end of year means that in true Bridget Jones fashion, distance run has been zero kilometres, weight gained has been eight kilograms, so I've got a lot to work on.

I plan to keep you updated on Mum's progress and my efforts over the next three months. Please give what you can, I've been on the Anthony Nolan register for many years and the work they do is fantastic.

Best wishes,

Tom

Anthony Nolan

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.