Story written in 2014

In November 2013 Fiona Codd from Sutton Coldfield was like any other 19-year-old girl. She was studying hard to go to University and pursue a career in the media. She loved Peter Andre, Olly Murs, seeing her friends and enjoying life.

In December she started getting flu-like symptoms that were more persistent than normal. After feeling like something was wrong she consulted her doctor and after a blood test, she was referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further tests.

The result of those tests was not good. Fiona was told that she had leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia.

She said – “My initial reaction was pure shock. I couldn’t believe it. Life just stopped and everything turned upside down in an instant. I always thought leukaemia was disease little children contracted and I didn’t realise how serious it was at first. Before I knew it I was on the Young Persons Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and I was undergoing chemotherapy. That Christmas was horrible, just horrible. The nurses and my family did everything they could to keep my spirits up but it was so hard.”

Without the support of my family and friends I could not have got through this treatment. I had messages of support from people I’ve never met on Twitter and Facebook; it helps so much when you are going through such a difficult experience. Brooke Evans was going through treatment at the same time as me and she was so great to have around to support me and give me advice.

Losing my hair was heartbreaking. It was the side effect I dreaded most of all. Wearing wigs helped but it just isn’t the same. Thanks to the amazing work Cure Leukaemia do I am delighted to say that I am in remission. I was told in February and it was literally like I had my life back all of a sudden! I could think about going to University again, my hair has started to grow back and I feel so relieved and better in myself.

I am holding a fundraising event in October to help raise money for Cure Leukaemia. It was the least I felt I could do to help the charity that has done so much for me. Hopefully, the money we raise can help fund more nurses and more people like me can benefit as a result.

Support Fiona’s fundraising event by making a donation on her JustGiving page – www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Codd/

I’d like to urge people out there to help whether it is by running the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run, London 2 Paris holding your own event or event setting up a regular donation to the charity.

I’d like to thank people for reading my story and I just hope I can help raise awareness for the charity and funds as well.

Thank you, Fiona