Kerry's Sponsored Paraglide!!

Hi, My name is Kerry.

I am 36 and a mum of three beautiful children, Lauren, Lilly and Jack. I work at Liverpool Trampoline Gymnastics academy based in speke. I have decided to raise as much awareness as I can regarding Leuaekmia and other blood cancers, and here is my story about why........

Around April 2021, I started to develop terrible fatigue. I put this down to long hours and family life. The fatigue became progressively worse over the coming weeks, and I began to lose weight. Again long hours and family life could explain this, but soon after, I started bruising easily. I would wake up with approximately 50 unexplained bruises on my legs. By this point, it was June 2021. I went to the doctor and was told I needed to eat more fruit and probably lacked vitamin C. Over the next few days, I developed what I thought was a fever and sweating every night!

At the end of June 2021, I took a trip back to my doctor; this time, he investigated the bruises and referred me for a blood test. The next day my doctor rang me and asked, "was I feeling okay?" NO - I was not! He told me my white blood cells were deficient, and I would be referred to haematology for further tests.

Two weeks later, in July, I received a letter from Whiston Haematology for an appointment on 25th October 2021. I then contracted Covid at the end of July into early August. My back and joints had started to ache, and my bones began to feel bruised too! The bruising and fatigue were getting worse.

Shortening the story a little, on 3rd October, I developed severe tonsillitis. I went to the walk-in and was prescribed penicillin. My gums started to bleed, and I developed a rash across my stomach.

On the 9th October 2021, I took myself to A&E as my body felt like it had enough! My friend Jay met me at the hospital to keep me company. I was immediately seen by the triage nurse (saved my life!), in who pulled up my notes and got a blood test done straight away. Within 45 minutes of arrival, the doctor called me to a room in A&E. He told me I wouldn't be going home and if someone had come with me. Jay was brought through, and a nurse came in to see us. She told me I had CANCER!! LEUKAEMIA. I couldn't believe it; my body was giving up as if I had waited for my appointment; I may not be here today!

The following two weeks in the hospital were a blare. I found out I had APL Leukaemia. My treatment was chemotherapy arsenic trioxide and several other tablets. My last treatment was on 30th June 2022. I am now in remission. I still have a long journey ahead, but I want people to know about their bodies and the symptoms of blood cancer.

I have decided to raise money for Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK.

I will be doing a tandem paraglide at the end of October or beginning of November; the exact date & destination is to be confirmed as it will be weather-dependent, and the location will depend on wind direction. We will be paragliding at 9500ft.

For anyone who knows me, this is massive for me, as I like my feet on the ground!! I don't even like the fair.

I really hope you will support me, raise awareness by talking and sharing my story with friends/family, and possibly donate to this great cause.

Thank you all for reading my story.

Kerry xxx