For patients with blood cancer such as leukaemia, a stem cell transplant can offer the chance of a cure. But when a transplant fails or the disease returns, some patients may need a second transplant to have hope of long-term survival. Despite advances in transplant medicine, an NHS England policy introduced in 2017 continues to restrict access to second stem cell transplants based on a rigid ’12-month rule’.
In this blog series, we explore why the policy is under review, how treatment outcomes have changed over the last decade, and why charities including Leukaemia UK, Anthony Nolan and DKMS are calling for a more personalised, evidence-based approach to care.

The European Haematology Association (EHA) Congress once again brought together researchers, clinicians, patient advocates and industry leaders from across the world to share the latest advances in blood cancer research and care. From promising new targeted therapies and advances in monitoring disease progression / relapse to increasing recognition of the patient voice in research and healthcare decision-making, EHA 2026 demonstrated how rapidly the leukaemia landscape continues to evolve.

For Leukaemia UK, it was encouraging to see so many members of our research community presenting their work, leading scientific discussions and helping shape the future direction of leukaemia research.

“Everything happened so fast. We were both just so shocked I don’t think we knew what to say to each other for the first time in our lives.”  Tarun Ramjeeawon survived his…