Sasha is running the London Marathon 2027

I'm running the London Marathon 2027 to support people affected by aplastic anaemia.

On 30^th January 2023, my daughter Elsie-Jo aged just 4 had her first blood transfusion and platelet transfusion and we were told we have to go to Great Ormond Street for a bone marrow aspiration. These were all scary new words, in a scary new world we were about to step into, but never wanted to be in. Our world changed from what we knew and stopped in that second. On 4^th February we were informed Elsie-Jo had Aplastic Anaemia.

The next few months were very lonely, isolating for Elsie-Jo and I, a complete blur of hospital admissions, surgeries, blood and platelet transfusions. Hospital being our 1^st home now, and our actual home turned into a medical base for regular nurse visits, medical supplies and medications. Elsie-Jo was neutropenic and this meant even when we weren't in hospital we couldn’t leave the home due to risk of infections.

Watching my Elsie-Jo go through this was so difficult. I just wished every second of every day I could take her place, take away her pain, why couldn’t it be me that was having to be put through this. Oh how I just so wanted to take the pain away from my beautiful daughter.

Saturday 6^th May, a day to celebrate. After months of uncertainty, and huge thanks to an amazing unknown donor, Elsie-Jo received her bone marrow transplant, her new stem cells. Given in as a transfusion, but this was a bag of pink magic juice, not the usual blackcurrant or orange juice we had become accustomed too.

There have been lots of ups and downs since the transplant, and maybe in the future, but my beautiful warrior princess continues to fight through everything thrown at her. Despite all, she has always held on to her beaming smile that lightens a room and admirable strength. Elsie-Jo has recently celebrated her 3^rd rebirthday and is a thriving typical 8 year old.

During this journey Elsie-Jo and I came across Aplastic Anaemia Trust. This was a group you never ask to be invited to or want to be part of. But to me it was a lifeline, to talk to someone who actually knew what this condition was, and not ‘just needing more iron’ (something I’m sure we’ve all heard while fighting or supporting someone with Aplastic Anaemia.) A parents and carers group who all supported one another, the wonderful Zoe who was all at the end of a phone or message to answer any questions, sending books to Elsie-Jo and her school to help them all understand her diagnosis and treatment. Such a supportive bubble in a time where we both felt so alone.

Now it's my turn to give back, and I have set myself the challenge to run the London Marathon in 2027. This is to raise awareness of this ultra-rare condition and raise funds for much needed research and to fund for the charity Aplastic Anaemia Trust to continue to support families when their world stops because a loved one or themselves have been diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia.