I’ve taken a stand against MPNs and other blood cancers.
Today, more than 50 Australians will be told that they have blood cancer and tomorrow - another 50 families will be devastated by the same news.
Blood cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in Australia and impacts 18,450 Australians every year. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are an incurable, progressive, rare form of blood cancer that is significantly underfunded when compared to other blood cancers.
In 2021 during the height of the pandemic I started experiencing a ‘bizarre set of symptoms’ that led to a hospital admission for pneumonia, and eventually, a diagnosis for an MPN.
‘I just couldn’t shake this general feeling of being rundown, dizzy spells, migraines, and slipping into this sense of being more and more unwell.
After 10 months of seeing different doctors and having every kind of test performed, all while navigating covid, lockdowns, home schooling and running my business, I was finally diagnosed with an MPN. Through this I found out that I have the CALR genetic mutation which drives my cancer.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve been living with information instability. Until finding an MPN specialist, of which there are very few, I was being told conflicting information that if followed, could have had dire consequences. There is an urgency for awareness not only through the public, but within the medical world as well.
MPNs can’t be staged like other cancers and at diagnosis no one knows who will go onto progress into acute myeloid leukaemia which is nearly always fatal.
The reality is my cancer is incurable and progressive and my CALR mutation puts me in a higher risk bracket of progressing. Living with the constant uncertainty and not knowing how long I will be around for my daughter is the hardest part of this new reality. I am still processing it all and as much as I, mostly stay positive, the future is scary and very uncertain.’
I have already raised 30k with thanks to my Instagram followers. I am hoping to raise a further 100k for research into MPNs.
Thanks for your support in helping me smash the 100K goal and get a cure for this bloody thing!
Sarah xx
Blood cancer facts
Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020, persons, all ages
1. Breast cancer 19,974
2. Blood cancers combined 17,321
3. Prostate cancer 16,741
4. Melanoma of the skin 16,221
1) When first diagnosed with an MPN, no-one knows who will progress from a relatively benign form of the disease to acute myeloid leukaemia, which is usually fatal.
2) There is no cure for MPNs except for a stem cell transplant. Transplants are very risky procedures and are usually only undertaken in myelofibrosis.
3) Blood cancer is the 2nd most diagnosed cancer in Australia. 18,845 Australians are diagnosed each year with a blood cancer, within that 1,200 or 6% are MPNs.
Event Information
Friday 26th August 09:00 - 20:00My Achievements
Congrats! You've hit your goal!
$80 raised - you've given a family a night of emergency accommodation!
You've covered genetic testing!
You've given a family a whole weeks accommodation near treatment
$1,000 raised - you've made a tube gene test with state-of-the-art-technology possible
You've covered 3 months of lab costs for vital blood cancer research
You've fund life changing research for 3 months
Thank you to my Supporters
$31.65
Anonymous
$31.65
Tamarra Burnett
$31.65
Anonymous
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
$55.92
Anonymous
$100
Claire Dunn
Thank you for raising awareness x
$53
Susan Keech
$52.75
Kelly Giddings
$158.25
Kerry Clark
$31.65
Anonymous
$100
Emma
Sending lots of love to you Sarah xx
$21.10
Rachel
$55.92
Lauren
$79.13
Gabriel Mcanspie
$1.45k
A Bloody Good Night
funds from A Bloody Good Night
$211
Anonymous
$33.81k
A Bloody Good Night
payments from A Bloody Good Night
$105.50
A
Be brave - be strong -
$31.65
Bernie Brophy
Good luck with fundraiser.
$55.92
Anonymous
$31.65
Dorothy Davies Artist
Hello Sarah thank you for the amazing bespoke ring you created for our gorgeous son Edward Davies, who proposed to his amazing partner Sophie Stewart on Friday night on Rottnest Island. Sophie is a remarkable young woman ( see her bio ) and we are delighted and proud to be her future parents in law. Sophie and I both follow you and have often dreamed of Irish g one of your glorious pieces! Now she does. Edward kept very quiet about the commission , despite asking to contribute two diamonds to his” future Ring fund “ Good luck with your cause and your ongoing care and recovery. My very best wishes Dorothy Davies ( Artist )
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Cremasco Fam
To a beautiful talented woman, thank you so much for your hard work in raising these much needed funds. Sending love.
$211
Ian And Sue Brown
With love and prayers for you
$31.65
Rebecca Gonsalves
You’re doing amazing work, I hope you hit your goal!
$5.28
Anonymous
Lord look upon Sarah with eyes of mercy. May your healing hand rest upon her, may your life giving powers flow into every cell of her body and into the depths of her soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring her to wholeness and strength for service in your kingdom. Amen
$55.92
Nayanika Sajeev
$263.75
Trina Singleton
You’re doing a great job,
$50
Jenni Langdon
$55.92
Suzie
$55.92
Kelly Power
$105.50
Danielle Edwards
$84.40
Sharon Boyle Nee Treanor
We're thinking and praying for you here in London Sarah x Stay strong xx Hoping you achieve your intended target here xx
$84.40
Claire Mc Nicholas
Sarah Such a good cause - good luck with it all Claire
$52.75
Catherine Murnaghan
Hi Sarah so sorry to hear the sad news, but i think u are very brave. Keep positive and please god all will b good Catherine Murnaghan
$105.50
Dionne
Much Love to a truly inspirational woman ❤️
$31.65
Anonymous
More power to you love. Thinking of you. Hope things start looking up.
$55.92
Anonymous
God bless you and keep you healthy
$31.65
Mel Parker
$30
Naomi Gomersall
I too have MPN. I’ve got 5-year-old twin girls and want nothing more than to see them grow old. I’m lighting my own lantern on Friday but will be thinking of you too. Congratulations on raising so much money, and best of luck for a happy and healthy future.
$21.10
Ally I.
I have a child the same age and can’t even imagine what you’re going through xx stay strong
$31.65
Sarah Bickford
Thank you for sharing your story
$105.50
Bernie Coleman
Hi SARAH, Ollie & I wish you every success in your fundraising event. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Bernie.xxx
$31.65
Louise Travis
$100
Siena Fuller
Your amazing 💗💗
$41.21k
Sarah Gardner Instagram Raffle
$520
Good luck Sarah, your jewellery is so beautiful 💕