Indie’s story
My name is Briony, I’m a mum of three, and in April 2027, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon for Cure Leukaemia, something I never imagined I would do. Before Indie was diagnosed, I wasn’t a runner at all. But watching my youngest daughter go through leukaemia treatment has changed my perspective on so much, and I knew I wanted to do something to help other families facing the same devastating diagnosis.
On Christmas Eve 2025, when Indie was just three years old, our world changed forever. In the weeks leading up to her diagnosis, she had developed a limp, although she wasn’t in any pain. Then, when she started experiencing severe pain in her elbow, we took her to hospital. Nothing could have prepared us for the words we were about to hear: our little girl had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
Being told your child has cancer is something you never think will happen to your family. To receive that news on Christmas Eve made it even harder to comprehend. A time that should have been filled with excitement and happiness suddenly became about hospital appointments, treatment plans and trying to understand what lay ahead. Overnight, our priorities changed completely, and we found ourselves navigating a world no parent ever wants to be part of.
Since then, our lives have revolved around chemotherapy, hospital visits, blood tests, medication and waiting for results. One of the hardest things about watching your child go through cancer treatment is knowing you can’t take their place. You would do anything to take away their pain and fear, but all you can do is hold their hand, comfort them and be there for them through it all. Alongside Indie’s treatment, we’ve had to find a way to keep life going for our other two children and support one another as a family. Even when we’re at home and things feel a little more normal, the worry never really goes away. Something as simple as a cough, a cold or a temperature can suddenly become frightening.
Thankfully, Indie has now finished the intensive part of her treatment and has moved on to maintenance, which is expected to continue until February 2028. Her tests have shown no detectable disease, something we are incredibly grateful for, but her journey is far from over. In September, she started school, which was such an emotional milestone for us all. After everything she has been through, seeing her enjoy being a little girl, making memories and experiencing these everyday moments is something I will never take for granted. These are the moments that remind us just how much there is to be thankful for.
Watching Indie face something so difficult at such a young age has changed me in ways I can’t fully put into words. She has had to endure more than any three-year-old should ever have to, yet she continues to show a strength and bravery that amazes me every single day. As her mum, I wish more than anything that she had never had to go through this, but she has given me a reason to push myself further than I ever thought possible.
That’s why I’ve decided to take on the London Marathon for Cure Leukaemia. I want to help raise money for vital research into better treatments and give more children and families hope for the future. I’ve seen first-hand how much leukaemia affects not only the child receiving treatment, but their parents, siblings and everyone who loves them. No family should have to face this, and I want to do whatever I can to help make things better for those who will come after us. I can’t change what has happened to Indie, but fundraising gives me a way to turn something incredibly difficult into something positive.
When I first considered running the marathon, I couldn’t even run for five minutes. I’m now managing 5K, although I’m still very much questioning my life choices! The thought of running 26.2 miles is daunting, and I know the training and the day itself will push me far beyond my comfort zone. But whenever I doubt myself, I think about Indie and everything she has already faced. If she can keep going through everything treatment throws at her, then I can keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I’ll be running every mile for Indie, for our family, and for all the children and families whose lives have been changed by blood cancer. I hope that by sharing our story and raising money for Cure Leukaemia, we can help fund research, improve treatments and give more families the hope of a future where a leukaemia diagnosis doesn’t have to turn their world upside down. Most of all, I’m running for my little girl, who has already taught me more about courage than she will ever know.
Thank you for reading Indie's Story
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