Told I Had 12 Days to Live – Tracy’s Battle with AML
Tracy was told she had 12 days to live without chemo. After a tough battle with AML, a stem cell transplant that saved her life. Now in remission, she shares her journey to raise awareness.
Five Years On, Morgan Paine’s Challenge to Run Five Marathons Since His Leukaemia Diagnosis
This April, Morgan Paine is gearing up to run the first of his five marathons in 2025, starting with the TCS London Marathon then followed by Worcester and Athens, with the two marathons in the middle still to be decided. This extraordinary challenge is not just about testing his physical endurance, it’s a celebration and reflection of his life since a dramatic, life-changing moment. It’s been five years since Morgan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), and he is now on a mission to complete five marathons in one year as a way to honour that journey, all while raising awareness and funds for Cure Leukaemia.
On November 21st 2019, Morgan’s life was forever changed when he received the diagnosis of ALL, which is a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. Following his diagnosis, he underwent chemotherapy treatments for three and a half years at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The treatment was not easy, and it was a path filled with setbacks and life-threatening complications.
The most critical moment in his battle was December 21st 2019, when Morgan’s condition took a severe turn for the worse. His doctors placed him in a medically induced coma in a desperate attempt to save his life. The chances of survival were slim, but against all odds, Morgan pulled through. Despite being told that his survival chances were incredibly low, he persevered, and eventually, he completed his full treatment schedule in July 2023.
Morgan’s determination didn’t stop with his treatment. In August 2020, after beginning maintenance chemotherapy, he decided to restart his fitness journey. With a drive to regain his strength, he took on the Cure Leukaemia London to Paris cycle ride, all while still undergoing chemotherapy.
However, Morgan’s recovery has not been without its challenges. He has faced numerous medical setbacks that have hindered his ability to return to peak fitness. Additionally, the impact of his chemotherapy continues to affect him in ways that make everyday life more difficult. He now has a “childlike” immune system, which leaves him constantly fighting off colds, flu, and infections. The residual effects of his illness and treatment have been relentless, and it’s a battle that continues every day.
Morgan is open about the emotional and physical toll of his illness. “The hardest part of my journey to date is that the impacts of the leukaemia have not gone away,” he shares. “To the outside world, I am a normal man, yet I still take a unique and powerful daily chemotherapy tablet that has its own effects on my body. I could very well be taking this chemotherapy tablet for the rest of my life, as there is no research to suggest the correct timescale for this unique drug.”
This is one of the key reasons why Morgan is so passionate about raising money for Cure Leukaemia. He knows that continued research is essential to finding better treatments, improving outcomes, and ultimately finding a cure.
Morgan’s goal is to show others that even after surviving such an intense and life-threatening illness, it’s still possible to chase your passions and achieve your dreams.
