Mike’s Story

In 2018, Mike was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL) – a rare, slow-growing type of blood cancer that affects the B cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune system. The disease gets its name from the hair-like projections seen on the cancerous cells under a microscope. While HCL is considered treatable, it is currently incurable, and treatment options often involve intensive chemotherapy.

He was fortunate to be referred to The Royal Marsden Hospital, one of our TAP Centres, but his treatment spanned two hospitals. He first battled sepsis at St Mary’s, followed by pneumonia at The Marsden. Even during his time at St Mary’s, the dedicated team at The Marsden closely monitored his progress – a level of care that has continued ever since.

Now in remission, Mike still requires monitoring, as Hairy Cell Leukaemia remains incurable. But he remains hopeful:
“Who knows? A little bit of the money we raise by doing the Paris Marathon may change that – not only for me but for so many others. As the saying (nearly) goes, ‘a few thousand small steps for me, and a great leap for mankind…’”

Every pound raised brings us closer to breakthroughs in life-saving treatments and research. Hairy Cell Leukaemia, like many forms of blood cancer, has seen significant advancements in treatment over the years, but more work is needed to improve therapies and find a cure.