Inspirational stories

These inspirational stories are personal accounts of the experiences of patients, carers or fundraisers - they all have a story to tell about their experience with a blood cancer.

Sarah Paling

Sarah was eventually diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) after unknowingly displaying symptoms for over two months. The half a year that followed proved to be a difficult journey. However, one-year post-transplant, Sarah hopes to be on the road to recovery.

Garry Allen

When Garry began experiencing pain in his chest, doctors believed he was having heart problems. So, when the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) came the next day, Garry was shocked. Here he talks about his experience of living with CLL, and why it’s important not to bottle your feelings up.

Carrie Findlay

When Carrie began experiencing neck pain and flu-like symptoms at the beginning of 2018, she took herself to the GP. However, over the next few months as Carrie’s symptoms worsened, she was repeatedly told that she simply had a virus. Eventually, Carrie’s symptoms were recognised, and she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

Paola and Isabella Hopwood: Isabella’s story

When 8-year-old Isabella began complaining of pain in her legs and back, her mother Paola took her to see the GP. However, it wasn’t until over a month later that doctors finally discovered Isabella’s symptoms, including four broken vertebrae, were due to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Here, Paola recounts her daughter’s story.

Jo Jones

When Jo began experiencing shortness of breath and heavy menstrual bleeding, she put the symptoms down to a number of different causes, including general fitness and fibroids. So, it came as a shock when, in November 2016, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Lucy Geering: ET go home

A family history of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) meant that Lucy already knew the signs and symptoms of blood cancer. However, it took four years for Lucy to get her diagnosis of essential thrombocythaemia (ET).

Helen Swambo

Helen Swambo was receiving treatment for lupus and having two-weekly blood tests when she was told her blood count was abnormal. However, Helen’s results were not followed up on, and it was only when she began experiencing bruising that she pushed for further tests, resulting in her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Six years on and in remission, Helen shares her story.

Geoffrey Brown

Geoffrey was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) completely out of the blue after a routine NHS health check flagged up an abnormal blood test. Read his story here.

Christopher Riley

When Christopher began experiencing symptoms, he already had an inkling that he may have a blood cancer. However, receiving his diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was still a shock. Here, he recounts his experiences.

Melissa McNaughton

Melissa’s only symptom before diagnosis was tiredness, something she attributed to working too hard. So, it came as a shock to Melissa when she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Here, she talks about her diagnosis and her life since.

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