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

Nick goes from struggling to walk to winning gold for TeamGB at the Transplant Games.

12 Aug 2025 Awareness

Nick goes from struggling to walk to winning gold for TeamGB at the Transplant Games.

A stem cell transplant, for most who have one, represents a new start in life. For Nick Barnard, this is...

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...

Linda’s remarkable story of recovery from AML

2 November 2023 Patient

Linda’s remarkable story of recovery from AML

When Linda Sellar’s mother was diagnosed with dementia in early 2014, Linda read that B12 was an indicator of possible...

‘I remember saying: “I’ve got leukaemia or something, haven’t I?”’

2 November 2023 Patient

‘I remember saying: “I’ve got leukaemia or something, haven’t I?”’

Kay Cutting had been a nurse for over 45 years, working as a midwife, a health visitor, and at senior...

“The few days following that was such a blur”: Victoria’s acute promyelocytic leukaemia story

26 October 2023 Patient

“The few days following that was such a blur”: Victoria’s acute promyelocytic leukaemia story

Persistent infections are a common symptom of leukaemia. But it’s natural for people not to immediately make the connection with...

Two decades of grueling chronic leukaemia treatment

17 October 2023

Two decades of grueling chronic leukaemia treatment

Alan Birleson was unexpectedly diagnosed with leukaemia in 2007, whilst in the midst of treatment for another cancer. Married to...

“It was a terrible experience and we miss him every day”

17 October 2023 Patient

“It was a terrible experience and we miss him every day”

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

Research blog: Harnessing the power of the body’s natural killer cells to treat leukaemia

13 October 2023 Research

Research blog: Harnessing the power of the body’s natural killer cells to treat leukaemia

Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to eradicate blood cancer. The immune system is designed to defend against harmful...

Robert’s journey to remission from AML

20 September 2023 Awareness

Robert’s journey to remission from AML

“Robert and I developed a special signal…..When we weren’t able to hold hands we each raised our little finger and...