Mum aiming to run 12 marathons in 12 months in memory of ex-RAF husband
XANDER DIED IN FEBRUARY AFTER INTENSIVE TREATMENT FOR LEUKAEMIA
A LINCOLNSHIRE mum is running 12 marathons in 12 months in memory of her husband who died in February this year.
In September 2022, Xander Coleman-Day was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow.
The 36-year-old, who served in the RAF for 11 years, underwent total body radiotherapy in preparation for a stem cell transplant.
He had a transplant in January 2023, but unfortunately developed graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) which began breaking down his liver.
Xander was hospitalised for around three weeks in late January 2024 with liver failure, kidney failure and double pneumonia before he died in February.
He leaves behind his wife, Laura, and two-year-old son Amos who he “absolutely adored”.
Laura, who lives in Witham St Hughs, said: “He was just the best. He was genuinely the nicest person you would ever meet who couldn’t do enough for other people. He absolutely adored Amos, he was his pride and joy. He was such a handson dad from the minute Amos was born. It was unfortunate that the sicker he got, the less he could do, and that was the worst part for him.
“Xander did everything he possibly could to try and overcome what was going on but it just didn’t work out that way.”
Laura is running 12 marathons in 12 months, with the help of friends and family, to raise money for Anthony Nolan which is a charity that helps save the lives of those with blood cancer. Speaking about how close the charity is to their hearts, Laura said: “Without them, we wouldn’t have had 18 months with him.
“They found his stem cell donor and, had he not had the transplant, he wouldn’t have survived as long as he did. It meant everything to us that we managed to have a bit more time. We owe so much to them.”
Laura has already raised more than £2,200 ahead of her 12-month challenge which will see her tour the UK to places like Hampshire and Loch Ness. She hopes that she can participate in next year’s London
Marathon on April 27, which is Laura and Xander’s wedding anniversary.
She said: “Once Xander had gone, I needed a purpose again. I’m not a scientist or someone who can make a difference that way, but what I can do is raise as much money as physically possible to help Anthony Nolan with their research and all the work that they do. I know Xander would be supporting me every step of the way.”
To donate to Laura’s cause in aid of Anthony Nolan, visit her JustGiving page.