I’ve been keeping a little secret, well actually it’s quite a big one. I’m going to be running The Paris Marathon next April.
Oh my goodness, it all sounds a bit real now!
I’ve spent much of my working life as an Oncology nurse and have I’ve lost too many people close to me including my father and good friends to cancer.
More recently, my much loved and very much missed Mother in Law, Wendy to Ovarian Cancer.
On 13th April 2025, I’m running the Paris Marathon in Wendy’s honour, to raise funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer charity, Ovarian Cancer Action and the Blood Cancer charity, DKMS of which I’ve been an Ambassador for almost 6 years.
It won’t be easy, it’s been quite some time since I ran anywhere but I’m going to give it my best! That’s a promise xx
I’d love your support. Every penny donated, every conversation started to support my Mission is very much welcomed.
I have two fundraising pages, one for each charity Ovarian Cancer Action and DKMS, the blood cancer charity so any support would be amazing. Be sure to check out both pages for additional information on each charity.
You may know that over the last few of years, I’ve been taking part in little Missions to raise funds and awareness for the Blood Cancer charity DKMS. It all started with one crazy idea, if you’d like to find out more click here: I’ve comitted to raising at least £600 for DKMS with for this Marathon.
Please do follow me on Instagram to keep updated with what’s happening with the #roadtoparis Mission and more! If you are part of a corporate company or your friends, family and colleagues would like to get involved, I’d love to hear from them too.
Strava is where my training is uploaded (you’ll be able to see just how slow I am!)
Finally, if you’d like to join me on a training run or would like to chat about my Mission, I’d LOVE to hear from you.
Thank you…
…for not thinking I’m crazy and for your support. I am honestly so nervous about this one. hopefully, with a big dollop of grit and determination, I’ll be able to conquer the Paris Marathon and do Wendy and the charities proud.
28th May is super important.. It’s World Blood Cancer Day. As a former Oncology Nursing Sister and proud Ambassador for DKMS, the Blood Cancer Charity, this weeks Blog is totally focused on sharing with you MORE about this very special day.
As always, I’d love you to grab a cuppa and find a comfy spot to read more about why it’s important, how you can get involved and much more.. Here we go..
Every 27 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer.
DKMS
Shocking isn’t it?
So in the time it’s taken you to start reading this blog, someone has just received simply devastating news that they have Blood Cancer. It creates a huge ripple, affecting not just themselves, but their family, friends, collagues and so on..
On this day, every day and especially on World Blood Cancer Day on Sunday 28th May, I’m asking for your help: to help me spread awareness and support for DKMS and the incredible work they do – Every. Single. Day.
“A blood cancer diagnosis is a shock and often marks the start of a race against time. For many patients, their only chance of survival is to find a matching blood stem cell donor, as fast as possible.”
DKMS
What do you need to know?
The term “blood cancer” is a general description of various hematopoietic cancers; such as
Leukaemia; a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells in your bone marrow.
Lymphomas: constitute a large and diverse group of neoplasms originating from the lymphoid system. Depending on which cells in the lymphatic system the cancer originates from, it can cause different symptoms and affect different organs. Among lymphomas there are non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).
Multiple myeloma: Plasma cell myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the bone marrow.
This must watch two minute video from DKMS explains what blood cancer is and how the blood cancer develops:
What is DKMS?
DKMS is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders. They are constantly working to convince as many people as possible to join the blood stem cell register. The best way to share with you just how important DKMS is by showing you this 3 minute video –
“My big dream is that every patient will be saved from blood cancer and other blood disorders.
When they get sick, we have a solution for them; whether it’s a donor, improving therapies through research, or simply helping to provide access to transplantation.
In this approach, we see no borders, believing that everyone, everywhere, deserves a second chance at life. We will keep fighting for them and keep spreading the word, recruiting donors, raising money.
Whatever it takes to make this dream a reality.”
Katharina Harf, daughter of the founder of DKMS and Vice Chairwoman of the DKMS Foundation Board
How you can help…?
There are so many ways you can help make your mark against Blood Cancer. You could help me to raise awareness, join the register, or take on a fundraising challenge. Anything you can do to help really does make a difference – even simply sharing this blog….
Order a swab kit online:Answer a few simple questions about yourself to make sure you’ll be able to safely donate if needed. If it’s a yes, then you’ll be directed to a page where you can request your swab kit online.
Swab your cheeks and return your kit: Swab the inside of your cheeks and send the swabs back to DKMS (there are instructions on the pack that you’ll be sent).
The swabs will then be analysed in the lab to determine your HLA (tissue) characteristics – this is how donors and patients are matched.
You’ll be added to the register: Once your samples have been analysed, you’ll be added to the register and you will be available for patients all around the world who are searching for a donor. Isn’t that amazing!
You are a match: If you come up as a potential match for someone, the donation process can begin. The DKMS team will be in touch as soon as possible.
They will ask you for a blood sample to confirm that you are the best possible match for the person in need of a transplant.
Peripheral blood stem cell donation: In 90% of cases, stem cells are collected peripherally (apheresis). This involves taking stem cells directly from the bloodstream. You’ll be able to have this done as an outpatient and it does not require surgery.
Bone marrow donation. In 10% of cases, the stem cells are collected from the back of your pelvic bone. This is carried out under general anaesthetic.
The patient receives your blood stem cells. The collected blood stem cells are transplanted to the patient, in a procedure similar to a blood transfusion.
A second chance at life. Your job is done and your incredible donation will help to give someone a second chance at life.
World Blood Cancer Day is Sunday 28th May
“We celebrate life every day”
DKMS Motto
How else can I help?
Make It Red
This year DKMS have launched the #makeitred theme. If you decide to make a red cake, turn your social media red, don a red jumper, put on red shoes or apply red lipstick. It’s totally fine by us. whatever you choose, let’s make it red!
Blood Cancer Patients needs our help more than ever after the pandemic. We are in urgent need of new potential lifesavers to sign up, so why not consider sharing a selfie wearing something red using the hashtag #MakeItRed.
Nominate a family member or friend to do the same and make sure they order a home swab kit.
You’ll be in good company, because you’ll be joined by some of our amazing celebrity supporters, as well as some much appreciated political support from MP’s, who will all be making it red to support DKMS.
“4 out of 10 people looking for an unrelated matching donor worldwide are not able to find a match. But you can help us change this.”
DKMS
Make a donation or get involved in my Mission 50!
It costs DKMS £40 to register just one potential blood stem cell donor. Not everyone who signs up is able to contribute towards this cost, so they need our help. As DKMS say ” you provide the hope and they will cover the rest!”
There are many ways you can support and raise valuable funds – including using give as you shop, via easy fundraising.which means you can raise FREE donations for Mission 50 and DKMS, every time you shop online. Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to this page when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to me and the Charity, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support @DKMS_UK and I. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.
“The aftermath of the pandemic means blood cancer patients need our help more than ever, and we are in urgent need of new potential lifesavers to sign up to join our register.”
DKMS
Join me in the 5km virtual run, jog or walk. This is our second year hosting the event and I’d love you to take part.
Buy a Perfect Touch Collection, a stunning collection of products to treat your hands. For every collection sold, £5 is donated to Mission 50 for DKMS. Find out more
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this blog. I’m passionate about doing what I can, to help DKMS do what they can, in their Mission. I’m a firm believer that, we can all do a little something to support others – TODAY I’ve love you to show your support for DKMS.
I’d be so grateful if you can please share this post – we need to get the important information to as many people as possible and YOU can help that.. Click the little arrow and share away.
I’m going to show you how you can save a life by doing three things today. Saving a life sounds pretty dramatic doesn’t it? However, in this Blog, I’ll be sharing simple tools that’ll help in less than 2 minutes.
” Knowing that little bag of goodness is potentially going to save someone’s life who you’ve never met is incredibly hard to describe until you do it!
It’s the most surreal feeling, so to anyone thinking about it – do it!”
Jade, stem cell donor
2. Talk!!
Yes, so simple but SO effective. Only 3% of the populations are on the Stem Cell register. Many don’t know about the incredible work that DKMS do…
We can change that..
Please help me spread the word.. Tell your friends, share this link and together we can help so many more people by raising awareness and funds for this super important cause, close to my heart.
Every 27 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer.
Whenever you shop, the “donation reminder” will flash up reminding you the company you are shopping with will donate a percentage of your order to the Mission 50.
It sounds too good to be true but it really isn’t! There are hundreds of brands involved so whether you’re completing your online food shopping or renewing your pet insurance, you can add valuable pennies to DKMS without doing anything at all!
You can turn your weekly grocery shopping into big donations for DKMS_UK when you use easyfundraising. They’ve even put together all the latest donations and offers from your favourite supermarkets in one place!
Not only that…
You can WIN daily prizes worth £100 for yourself by entering the #easyfundraising Summer of Fun giveaway until 31st July!
For an entry, visit their competition page and shop with any of the listed brands. The FREE donations you raise will also make a BIG difference to us, so please take a moment to get involved! Visit here and find out more…
Finally;
Follow me on instagram for more regular updates on what crazy things I’m up to and how you can support.
Here’s what’s coming up!
July 2024
Virtual 5km Fun Run or walk.
For the third year running, I’m hosting I have fab news that if you missed the virtual 5km run / walk on 7th July, you can still join in! 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 5𝐤𝐦? Anytime before the end of 31st July 2022 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥? Take a selfie, share on your social media, using the hashtag #mission50fordkms and I’ve just run 5km for @dkms_uk and @Claire_womanonamission We will then send you a medal as a thank you for taking part!
Virtual Ride from SWDevon to DKMS HQ in Chiswick
You may remember in March I cycled from DKMS HQ, London to DKMS HQ in Germany, totalling over 330 miles? Well, I’m at it again!
This time from West to East!
A total of 220.8 miles on the Keiser bike! Huge thanks to Digme Fitness for their ongoing support.
August 2022
Turns out I’m a little bonkers! Shh, don’t answer that! My two teenagers and I are throwing ourselves out of a plane at 17,000ft, free falling for 60 seconds and skydiving to the ground. All for @dkms_uk
This alternative triathlon involves a 17km cycle across Snowdonia National Park, a 14km trek up Snowdon and 4km paddle round the stunning Llyn Padarn. Take in the sights of the UK’s wildest adventure playground, challenge yourself, and raise money to help delete blood cancer!
Join the Team This will be a 100% DKMS event, so a great way to meet fellow supporters and feel part of Team DKMS.
I was really hoping to be able to run my 5th London Marathon in London, but it was not meant to be. Instead, I have a virtual place and will be trekking along the South West Coastal Path whilst the masses run the streets of London.
There’s a lot more planned so keep posted..
If there’s one thing you do today is to remember there are three ways you can help save a life:
I have two fundraising pages, one for each charity Ovarian Cancer Action and DKMS, the blood cancer charity so any support would be amazing. Be sure to check out both pages for additional information on each charity.
