As you may remember (or, if you're really unlucky, you'll have witnessed), I'm always keen to tell my story, if it might help others going through similar challenges – and that's why I went to the House of Commons on 15th July to try to persuade MPs to support Anthony Nolan's major Destination: Cure. I … Continue reading Lead role: watch why I was persuading politicians…
Passing it on with Destination: Cure
JULY 2016 UPDATE: NHS England has, devastatingly, announced it will no longer routinely fund second stem cell transplants – the opposite of what I explained Anthony Nolan and I were trying to do in my post below, this time last year. Please sign and share Anthony Nolan's petition against this. You can read more on their … Continue reading Passing it on with Destination: Cure
Day +261: Good blood and bad chat
It's been a while... I even cheated and used a website to work out how many days it's been since my stem cell transplant. I usually put such a delay down to the fact I've been too busy getting on with life, which is at least partly true. It's also, though, because medically my life hasn't been very interesting, … Continue reading Day +261: Good blood and bad chat
Day +214: Covering all bases
There was always a bit of a joke in my family as we were growing up: with four children, my parents thought they might be well provided for if one of us grew up to be a doctor, another an accountant, a third a lawyer and finally, I think, it was a toss-up between a … Continue reading Day +214: Covering all bases
Day +181: The patience of patients
Q. What do you call a winner who is quite happy to wait around before receiving his/her medal? A. ... Remarkably, at my last clinic appointment at St George's, I showed my face at reception pretty much bang on time and was ushered through immediately to see the doctor. I was flabbergasted, having set myself up … Continue reading Day +181: The patience of patients
Day +169: Run, Robin, run!
* Raise riches for resources with rock star Robin * My poor cousin Robin, who only ever really wanted to be a rock star, has gone and got himself signed up to run around Wembley Park on Sunday – and all for a very good cause. Inspired by my plight, progress and persistence, he will be taking part … Continue reading Day +169: Run, Robin, run!
Day 167: Inspirational individuals
On Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending a private viewing of Anthony Nolan's fantastic After exhibition, and I'm still trying to process the thoughts and emotions it inspired in me. After comprises photos showing patients who have had bone marrow transplants, accompanied by a description of their story, often focusing on a particular aspect of life they have managed … Continue reading Day 167: Inspirational individuals
Day ONE HUNDRED and something…
I'm not sure where to start. Day +100, perhaps? How much hair can one man wear? [beware: video contains some flashes] http://youtu.be/1QUddSmO0gM Yep – I hit three figures and had a small, hairy celebration with a few friends, toasting the three-digit milestone and raising money for Macmillan. This came after promising results from my bone … Continue reading Day ONE HUNDRED and something…
Day +12: Charity case
I reluctantly decided not to go ahead with launching a #selfiewithmyplatelets campaign, partly because I'm not sure anyone in the country has any money left after donating generously to various cancer charities as a result of the #nomakeupselfie campaign on Facebook. I expect you'll have heard of it even if you've avoided the social network, … Continue reading Day +12: Charity case