Our stories

Without personal stories from people affected by leukaemia, it would be impossible for us to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and fundraise for further research. If you would like to share your leukaemia journey, please get in touch with us on communications@leukaemiauk.org.uk

Research Blog: When donor cells attack – understanding GvHD

26 Feb 2026 Patient

Research Blog: When donor cells attack – understanding GvHD

Forty-seven-year-old Dene Firth was working as a property clerk in South Yorkshire Police in 2019 when he began to have...

Mark’s AML diagnosis and the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’

20 December 2023 Patient

Mark’s AML diagnosis and the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’

Mark Phillips was on the brink of an exciting chapter in his young life back in the summer of 2003....

Nicola’s special way of remembering her dear friend, Carol

20 December 2023 Fundraising

Nicola’s special way of remembering her dear friend, Carol

Nicola Gray channelled her sorrow for the loss of her friend Carol Stevens into an ambitious creative fundraising effort for...

‘Let battle commence’: Frank’s 5-year-fight against ALL

11 December 2023 Patient

‘Let battle commence’: Frank’s 5-year-fight against ALL

Frank Murphy’s fight against leukaemia defied all predictions and is a source of great pride to his daughter Louise. It...

Forced to go to the GP by Mum: Joe’s CML story

10 November 2023 Patient

Forced to go to the GP by Mum: Joe’s CML story

Leukaemia UK funds research into more effective, kinder treatments for all types of leukaemia. And the Medcalf family have a...

Elaine’s ALL journey from shock to remission

9 November 2023 Patient

Elaine’s ALL journey from shock to remission

Nothing was going to stop Elaine Bolton giving her daughter Rachel a wonderful sixth birthday. She had been battling mysterious...

“I learned to be positive”: Lizzi’s AML story

8 November 2023 Patient

“I learned to be positive”: Lizzi’s AML story

“The first thing that happened about nine months before my diagnosis is I went off drinking tea which I normally...

Brave Jacob’s four-year fight against ALL

8 November 2023 Patient

Brave Jacob’s four-year fight against ALL

Jacob Benson lost his four-year fight against leukaemia 16th October 2010, aged just 12. This is a verse from a...

Trevor’s surprise leukaemia diagnosis following routine surgery

2 November 2023 Patient

Trevor’s surprise leukaemia diagnosis following routine surgery

Trevor Lock’s leukaemia was discovered in December 2019, after having surgery for a urinary tract condition. A surprise leukaemia diagnosis...