Family to go on the run to thank cancer lifesavers
THE family of a woman whose life was saved by the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute are going on the run to raise cash in the wake of the devastating fire at The Christie.
Claire Daniels, 31, from Gatley was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphona when she was 19 and studying at Warwick University. The mum-oftwo came back to Manchester following the diagnosis and had all her treatment at The Christie.
She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before being told by doctors that her only chance of survival was a stem cell transplant, a treatment made possible by the stem cell research pioneered at the Cancer Research Institute.
High doses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a good chance of killing cancer cells, but also kill the stem cells in the bone marrow. They are then given back to the patient after high dose treatment so the bone marrow recovers.
Research in Manchester specifically on the use of growth factor hormones improving the success of treatment was paramount to Claire’s survival.
At the time she was told she would never have children naturally – but against all the odds she fell pregnant with her son Jackson, now five and went on to have Teddy who is nearly two.
She said: “It was an absolute emotional rollercoaster at the time. My husband and I could barely take in the news that I was pregnant. We had even been to counselling together to deal with the fact we wouldn’t be able to have children naturally.
“I can’t thank Cancer Research UK enough.”
Claire’s dad Mike Daniels wanted to celebrate 10 years of his daughter being in remission by signing up to the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday (May 28) and Claire’s sister Katie, 29, decided to join him.
They thought it would be just the two of them – but Claire has been training in secret and will join them on the starting line.
Mike, 53, said: “I will never forget sitting with Claire while her doctor explained that the stem cell transplant was the absolute last chance saloon for her. It was devastating. But thanks to the amazing work in the Cancer Research Institute, not only is Claire alive and well, but we have two amazing grandchildren.”
The fundraising appeal following the fire has raised over £90,000. To find out more or make a donation visit justgiving. com/fundraising/SayThankYou.