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Leukaemia Care is the UK鈥檚 leading leukaemia charity providing information, advice and support to anyone who has been affected by a leukaemia diagnosis, from the patient themselves to a family member or friend.聽

Every day 27 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. That鈥檚 10,000 people a year, with sadly 5,000 patients losing their lives to the disease each year.聽

There are different types of leukaemia, some progressing faster than others.

Treatments vary, but can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, specifically-targeted drugs, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants. Some patients will spend many months in hospital, facing serious side effects from their treatment.聽 And because medication attacks the immune system,鈥痶hey are often isolated, having to stay away from family and friends聽for weeks or even months. It can be a very lonely journey and takes its toll, not just physically, but mentally too.聽

That鈥檚 why the care and support provided by Leukaemia Care is vital. Whether it鈥檚 via our helpline, support groups, counselling service or one-to-one buddy support scheme, emotional help is always on hand.聽

Even more, there is practical support too,聽from financial assistance for patients who find themselves unable to work, to grants towards travel or accommodation costs for those facing treatment far from home.聽聽聽

By donating to our appeal, you can help support the 50,000 patients living with leukaemia right now, as they can鈥檛 go through a diagnosis alone.聽

I鈥檓 honoured to be supporting this appeal for Leukaemia Care. It鈥檚 a cause close to my heart, having lost my wonderful, loving mum to leukaemia when I was 15.聽

My mum was only 43 when she passed away, just three months after being diagnosed. We never realised at the time what the bruises on her body could have been.

The signs and symptoms of leukaemia are notoriously vague, making them difficult to spot.聽 But early diagnosis saves lives. That鈥檚 why Leukaemia Care鈥檚 work in raising awareness is so important.聽

Leukaemia affects people of all ages and while most forms of the disease occur in older people, leukaemias are still the most commonly diagnosed cancers in children.

I know only too well the pain caused by a leukaemia diagnosis.

By donating to this appeal, you will be helping Leukaemia Care ensure that families like mine receive the best possible, diagnosis, information, advice, treatment and support.

Graham鈥檚 daughter, Darcey, was just four when she visited the doctor following a fall from her scooter. What followed was the shocking diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Within four days, Darcey went from a broken arm to fighting for her life on chemotherapy. It was hard for the family to believe what was happening.

Darcey underwent months of gruelling treatment, but when it failed, she had no choice but to undergo radiotherapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant.

Initially, Darcey responded well, but in 2023, she suffered a relapse and her only option now was specialised CAR-T treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, two and a half hours away from home.

Thanks to Leukaemia Care鈥檚 Away From Home Service, the family were able to stay together in a nearby hotel during Darcey鈥檚 treatment and an additional grant covered the extra costs of being away from home.

Graham says: 鈥淭he impact was massive. Without Leukaemia Care, there is no way we would have been able to afford to be together, meaning as a family we would have all been split up, making a difficult situation even more unbearable and stressful.鈥�

John had been married to his wife Beverley for 26 years, when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Sadly, just 12 weeks later, she passed away, aged 61.

It was a huge shock. John had no family to support him at this difficult time. He never expected to find himself alone and could not imagine starting life all over again.聽聽

His grief was overwhelming and he found Beverley鈥檚 loss an enormous struggle.

John contacted the Leukaemia Care helpline where he was offered emotional support and found comfort in the charity鈥檚 bereavement support service and support groups.聽

The Leukaemia Care Counselling Fund enabled him to have six sessions with a therapist in his local area.聽

John says: 鈥淚 am so grateful for the help I have received from Leukaemia Care. Without it, I would be further down a very black hole. Two years on from losing Beverley, I鈥檓 taking one day at a time, but at least I can now hold a conversation without welling up.鈥�

When Judith was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2014, she underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant. But despite her career as a nurse, nothing prepared her for the physical and emotional journey she found herself on.

Despite having wonderful friends and family, Judith did not want to burden them. But she found the advice and support she received from fellow patients invaluable.

That鈥檚 why, five years later, she volunteered as a buddy on Leukaemia Care鈥檚 Buddy Scheme, offering one-to-one support to people experiencing exactly what she had been through.

In 2021, she was matched with Janine who鈥檇 been diagnosed with the same type of leukaemia and had recently suffered a relapse. Janine was full of fear, anxiety and questions.

But speaking to someone who鈥檇 been through the same experience was priceless. And their mutual support for each other has since blossomed into friendship.

Janine says: 鈥淭he mental side of leukaemia is tough, so having someone who understands exactly what you鈥檙e going through is a great support.聽The fact that Leukaemia Care provides specialised buddies matched to your type of leukaemia and treatment really is a lifeline.鈥�