Patient stories

Karen Mawdsley’s daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), an aggressive brain tumour, in December 2021. She sadly passed away in July 2023, aged 23. Ellie was determined to improve the lives of young people with brain cancer and selflessly donated her brain tissue to The Institute of Cancer Research. Her parents, Karen and Ian, are continuing her legacy and have set up The Ellie Mawdsley Foundation to raise awareness and fund further vital research into brain tumours in Ellie’s memory.

Markus was shocked when he was diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 2021. Determined to break down barriers and start conversations about cancer, Markus turned to art as a way of sharing his experiences.

When personal trainer Gemma Seager, 45, injured her back while lifting weights, she assumed it would improve with rest. But after 10 months of pain, she was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in June 2021. Thanks to treatment, she currently has no evidence of disease in her body and recently completed the London Marathon.

In April 2019, Claire Shepherd, now 34, began feeling unwell and constantly fatigued. Having initially put her symptoms down to her hectic lifestyle, she was shocked to be diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Now, six years on and following successful treatment, she is in remission and making the most of every day…

Cecelia Brunott, 48, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2020. She had a stem cell transplant and is currently taking a targeted treatment to keep her cancer stable. She lives in Farnham, Surrey, with her wife Eva.

Karin Manchester, 65, was told she had a week to live after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer, in 2004. Thanks to successful treatment and taking part in a clinical trial, she has been in remission for over 20 years. 

Roslyn was 16 when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. Now 27, and following successful treatment, she is running this year’s London Marathon to mark 10 years being cancer-free and to raise funds for our vital research.

Julius, 66, is a Black Belt 6th Dan karate instructor. Having been fit and healthy all his life, he was shocked to be diagnosed with stage 3 myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in September 2019. Now, thanks to treatment, he is in remission and continues to enjoy the martial arts that have been his passion for over 40 years.