20 Mar 2026

“The revolutionary treatments I received wouldn’t have been possible without research”

Sandra with her husband Alan

“I am lucky. The research funded by charities like Leukaemia UK meant that a viable treatment plan existed for me. Yet my situation is a stark reminder that many are not so fortunate.”

Not all leukaemia cases are diagnosed after patients notice bruising, fatigue, repeated infections and other common symptoms. Sometimes diagnosis arrives out of the blue after a routine blood test. This was the case for Sandra Breene, who in May 2022 was enjoying a busy high-level career as well as being a regular runner and extremely fit.

“I had a routine BUPA health assessment provided by my employer,” said Sandra, 57, who lives in Brough in East Yorkshire and is the President of Consumer Care at chemical company Croda as well as being a non-Executive Director at XP Power and a Trustee Director at multi–Academy Trust Edukos. “I received a call a couple of days later to say that my white blood cell count was exceptionally high – around 80k vs the normal range of 4 to 11k. I was told that leukaemia could be a possibility. But I had no symptoms. They wanted to carry out lots of further tests which took around six weeks. We decided to go on the holiday in Scotland that we’d booked. It was a distraction, but these were definitely the worst weeks with the uncertainty.”

Sandra was given further tests through Nova Healthcare at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds and in mid-June 2022 was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

“The diagnosis was a relief. I’d imagined I had a more aggressive form and that my lifespan was going to be significantly curtailed. When I saw the consultant and he confirmed CLL he was amazing at explaining what that meant and that I was most likely to die with it not from it. He said there were many great treatments but no cure, and that some people never needed treatment but as I was classed as young (!) it was likely I would. He reassured me that for now I could get on with my life as normal on ‘watch and wait’ which is exactly what I did.”

Sandra was given blood tests every three months which unfortunately showed her CLL was slowly progressing.

Sandra in hospital

“I would have a couple of days of anxiety prior to my blood tests and each time I would be disappointed and upset for a day or so as the levels increased. However, I was still having no symptoms so most of the time I lived my life as I always do, to the absolute full! I was working full time in a high-level job that required me to travel the world, and this was a huge welcome distraction as I rarely had time to think about my CLL.

“During this time, I had an accident skiing and snapped my ACL which meant a year away from running. When I eventually started again, I noticed I was very short of breath, and it felt like a real struggle. I was also more tired but I put some of that down to being peri-menopausal and having incredibly heavy periods. Then my white blood count rose to over 400 and my haemoglobin levels started to drop into the ‘area of concern’. I was told the shortness of breath was the enlarged lymph nodes pressing on my lungs and I found I couldn’t eat as much due to my enlarged spleen. I was initially given iron tablets but they didn’t work so an iron infusion followed. In July 2024 when that didn’t work either I was told it was time for treatment. We agreed I would go on holiday again first and start the treatment in September.”

Sandra was given Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab, targeted chemotherapy drugs in tablet form, alongside an immunotherapy monoclonal antibody drug given on a drip across 48 weeks.

“The first infusion was a scary experience, but I had three wonderful nurses watching over my every move. When I had a minor panic attack as the treatment started, they calmed me down and talked to me about my holiday for half an hour and restarted the treatment without me even realising.

“The first few weeks were intense, travelling back and forth to Leeds most days for infusions taking six to eight hours. I was tired but otherwise all went incredibly smoothly. I was disciplined in drinking litres of water and going out walking every day rain or shine. The nursing team said that I was a model patient and they had rarely experienced someone with so little side effects so I was very lucky. About a month into treatment, I felt so much better that I decided I would attempt a run. I did 5km straight away and felt brilliant, I was so happy.

Sandra finished treatment on 12 August 2025 and is now back on ‘watch and wait’ with tests every three months. She was so thrilled to be able to take up running again that she decided it was time to set herself a big challenge – to run the London Marathon for Leukaemia UK with husband Alan.

“I did half marathons around 15 years ago but had told myself my running days were over, I was now menopausal and getting old and it would never happen again. I hated it when I couldn’t exercise and I’m so grateful to be able to do it again. It is formidable challenge, especially for us ‘non-youngsters’, but every step we take will be fuelled by our determination to make a difference.

“I am lucky. The research funded by charities like Leukaemia UK meant that a viable treatment plan existed for me. Yet my situation is a stark reminder that many are not so fortunate. We are running to ensure that others facing this diagnosis have the same chance for a full life that I have been given.”

Alan, 67, will be running alongside Sandra on what promised to be an emotional day: “I’ve always been inspired by people running the marathon and it was on my bucket list although I’m really a cyclist. It’s great that we’ve now secured two places so we can run it together, although before Sandra got her place I was looking forward to six hours of peace and quiet on my own! We’re very fortunate to be able to give something back to Leukaemia UK in this way.”

“Throughout this journey Alan has been by my side, he did all the driving back and forth to Leeds and stayed with me during my infusions, cooked me healthy food to eat and ensured I was looking after myself,” said Sandra. “We’ve got five children between us who were all so supportive even though two of them are on the other side of the world. Friends and colleagues were also wonderful. Many came and met me outside for a walk on a regular basis whilst I was ‘in lock down’ to ensure I had regular in person company. It has certainly made me value life and also understand who the people in this world are that really matter to me and care for me, and how precious that is.”

Sandra and Alan originally pledged to raise £12k but have already topped their target and estimate they could raise an incredible £25k. Sandra Breene is fundraising for Leukaemia UK

“I am eternally grateful to my consultants and the nursing team. I could not have been better looked after and that gave me the confidence all would be OK during my treatment. I just want to keep enjoying each day, watching my children, who are young adults, blossom and build lives, and in time hopefully have families of their own as I would love to be a grandma!

“The revolutionary treatments I received wouldn’t have been possible without research. I want everyone who sponsors me for the Marathon to know they are not just funding an organisation, they are accelerating breakthroughs and providing life-changing care, writing a hopeful chapter for the next person who hears the word ‘leukaemia’.”