Iraq veteran cycles from Lands End to John O'Groats in 5.5 days.
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We at ELF are frequently humbled and constantly amazed by the tireless fund raising and support we receive from ordinary people around the country. Many of our supporters have been touched personally by Leukaemia or other blood related disorders and have benefited from the work that Exeter Leukaemia Fund supports.
In June 2008 Martyn Sellers cycled all the way from Lands End at the most westerly point of the British Isles, to John O'Groats at its most Northerly. This 870 mile slog will undoubtedly raise much needed funds for ELF - but like so many of our fund raisers there is a story behind Martyn's noble effort.
Here is Lucy and Marty's story.
Lucy's Story
This time last year I hadn’t even heard of E.L.F. I didn’t know about the work that it did, the money it raised and I certainly didn’t know how much it would affect my life.
At the beginning of April last year I had just returned from my first Skiing trip with my boyfriend Marty and was counting down the days until he would return from his tour in Iraq.
What I didn’t realise was that the tiredness I was experiencing was not from the skiing but in fact something much more. By Easter a blood test at my local G.P. revealed that in fact the symptoms I had were that of Leukaemia.
I was admitted to the Haematology Unit at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on April 16th and it was from that day that E.L.F. was to become a part of my life and everyone around me.
Leukaemia was a bolt out of the blue for me and the treatment not only affected me but everyone close to me. And it is only since going through this myself I realise what people before me have been through and what, unfortunately, people in the future will go through.
I feel privileged to have been treated on Yarty Ward and am humbled to know that much of my care & treatment would not have been possible were it not for the funds that E.L.F. raise each year and the support it gives the Haematology centre.
~ Lucy.
Marty's Story
Lucy and I had been together about a year when I was posted to Iraq with my job in the Army. Having spent a week skiing with her on my leave, I returned back to Basrah for the final 3 months of my tour.
We stayed in touch as regularly as we could and I remember her telling me during a phone call that she felt tired all the time.
Having not heard from her for a few days, I received a worrying message telling me to get in touch with my parents. My Dad told me the news that Lucy had Leukaemia. My work colleagues in Basra were great, sorting out my return home and finding out where the hospital was that she was being treated whilst I packed my bag to return back to the UK. I spoke to the ward where she was who reassured me that, although it was an aggressive strain, they had caught the disease early. The next day, after a long journey back from the Middle East, I was in the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital's Yarty ward.
We were both unsure of what was happening and had what seemed like a million questions, all of which the doctors and nurses in the Haematology ward answered for us. Lucy was in isolation due to her lack of immune system but I was allowed to stay with her as we live about 60 miles from the hospital. As her Chemotherapy started, Lucy became extremely unwell, being unable to eat properly or even shower herself and also lost all her hair. The doctors and nurses however, always seemed one step ahead of the disease with their hard work.
After 10 days, I had to return to Basra, I was not happy leaving Lucy behind but leaving her in Yarty ward filled me with great confidence, be it from the Doctors and Nurses to the kitchen staff and cleaners, all who worked tirelessly to ensure she had the best chance of recovering.
Nearly a year has passed and that standard of treatment hasn’t changed. Although still being treated, Lucy is getting better. At Christmas, she managed to climb her first mountain whilst in the French Alps. This, after being diagnosed with this life threatening disease 7 months earlier.
Whilst in hospital with her, I was astonished to learn that Yarty ward relies so heavily on public donations. The Haematology ward has most definitely saved my girlfriends life and we will always be indebted to them. To that end I have decided to raise as much money as possible to help the Exeter Leukaemia fund by cycling from Lands End to John O Groats. I have managed to get a couple of friends on board and am planning to do this at the beginning of June this year. We hope to cycle the 870 miles in about 5 or 6 days cycling between 170 and 200 miles per day, which will take about 14 hours daily on my bike!
All your donations will be greatly appreciated and will most definitely help to save the lives of people with Leukaemia.
Many thanks
~ Marty.
On 22 October 1987 the Deed of Trust establishing Exeter Leukaemia Fund as a Charity was signed and registered. More than £4 million has been contributed to Haematology treatment at the RD&E since and the Haematology Centre, for which ELF two thirds of the funding (£1.5 million), is recognised as one of the best in Europe.
A number of special events have taken place and are being organised to celebrate 20 Years of ELF. Events will incorporate the 20 Years of ELF brand and special logo and culminate with ELF’s 21st Birthday Party in October. It is hoped that this year of celebration will raise a substantial sum which will be used to enhance patient care; refurbish the gardens at the Centre and fund new research building on the diagnostic tests already delivered which can only enhance the treatment of leukaemia and related disorders.
For further information and to support Marty's efforts, please contact ELF on 01392 493344 - or click here to pledge a donation.
