Our stories

Without personal stories from people affected by leukaemia, it would be impossible for us to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and fundraise for further research. If you would like to share your leukaemia journey, please get in touch with us on communications@leukaemiauk.org.uk

Alice Bolton: “In an hour I went from being in the doctors’ areas to being a patient”

14 Apr 2025 Patient

Alice Bolton: “In an hour I went from being in the doctors’ areas to being a patient”

The moment they are told they have leukaemia is rarely something any patient forgets. But for Alice Bolton it was...

“The few days following that was such a blur”: Victoria’s acute promyelocytic leukaemia story

26 October 2023 Patient

“The few days following that was such a blur”: Victoria’s acute promyelocytic leukaemia story

Persistent infections are a common symptom of leukaemia. But it’s natural for people not to immediately make the connection with...

Two decades of grueling chronic leukaemia treatment

17 October 2023

Two decades of grueling chronic leukaemia treatment

Alan Birleson was unexpectedly diagnosed with leukaemia in 2007, whilst in the midst of treatment for another cancer. Married to...

“It was a terrible experience and we miss him every day”

17 October 2023 Patient

“It was a terrible experience and we miss him every day”

Forty-seven-year-old Dene Firth was working as a property clerk in South Yorkshire Police in 2019 when he began to have...

Research blog: Harnessing the power of the body’s natural killer cells to treat leukaemia

13 October 2023 Research

Research blog: Harnessing the power of the body’s natural killer cells to treat leukaemia

Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to eradicate blood cancer. The immune system is designed to defend against harmful...

Robert’s journey to remission from AML

20 September 2023 Awareness

Robert’s journey to remission from AML

“Robert and I developed a special signal…..When we weren’t able to hold hands we each raised our little finger and...

The ‘red flag’ symptoms of CML

8 September 2023 Awareness

The ‘red flag’ symptoms of CML

Many leukaemia patients put their initial symptoms down to age, tiredness or other factors. Emma Sinclair did just that, continuing...

Research blog: EU funding on the Horizon again

7 September 2023 Research

Research blog: EU funding on the Horizon again

You may have spotted the recent news that the UK is finally rejoining the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation...

Jake’s leukaemia fight

7 September 2023 Awareness

Jake’s leukaemia fight

GCSEs are a stressful time for most young people. But tackling exams while in recovery from a devastating leukaemia diagnosis...