A Quadring family and their friends have rallied around to help give a teacher and mum of two ‘a second chance’ at life.
Hollie Stafford was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer, last September.
The 35-year-old says she is ‘very lucky’ that her sister Megan has basically been able to give her stem cells, to the point Hollie will now have the same DNA as her sibling.
Her sons George (9) and Arthur Maplethorpe (6) have also raised £6,852 for Blood Cancer UK.
“I was working when I started getting the symptoms,” said Hollie. “I was feeling a bit faint and then it progressed quite rapidly.
“I went to Gosberton Medical Centre, who have been incredible.
“The doctor straight away sent me to hospital and I was diagnosed quickly.”
Hollie went through two rounds of standard chemotherapy and one of myeloabiative chemotherapy over three months which, she says, basically wiped out her own bone marrow.
It meant spending weeks on end at Nottingham City Hospital.
Because of the high risk of mutation of the cancer, her best chance of survival was for a donor and thankfully her ‘forever hero’ sister Megan, who works as a doctor, was a match.
She went through the process on December 30.
“Basically 100 pert cent of my blood is now my sister’s,” Hollie said. “It’s at the point where I basically have the same DNA as her.
“I’ve been very lucky and feel as if I have a second chance.”
As well as supporting Hollie at home alongside her partner Chris, George and Arthur also wanted to raise money for Blood Cancer UK as a thank-you for their help.
They took on the Walk of Light throughout March. Teachers at the Eye school where Hollie is an assistant head, also took part and together they walked a total of 150,000 steps.
Blood Cancer UK representative Rachel Mann-Bradbury was invited to Quadring Primary School assembly so they could present her with a cheque.
“We’re really proud of the boys,” said Hollie, who as a surprise was in attendance with Chris and the boys’ great grandma Marjorie Stafford.
“The school has been really supportive, particularly Catarina Campbell who is a teaching assistant with George. I think it affected him a bit more as he’s older.”
Headteacher Anneka Luffman said: “We are very proud of both the boys. To take on such a feat is amazing.
“They’ve shown resilience in so many different ways.
“We are a school that prides ourselves on being active.”
On top of George and Arthur’s fundraising, Blood Cancer UK also received another £5,640 thanks to Hollie’s colleagues and pupils from Eye Primary School taking part in the Walk of Light.
Mrs Mann-Bradbury from the charity said: “Every step taken as part of Blood Cancer UK’s Walk of Light helps shine a light on the impact blood cancer has on individuals and families across the UK.
“A diagnosis like the one Hollie received can turn life upside down in an instant.
“Facing a hard‑to‑treat blood cancer such as acute myeloid leukaemia while balancing family life and a career takes extraordinary strength and resilience.
“Hollie’s sons, George and Arthur, have shown remarkable bravery and courage in supporting their mum, and in doing so have brought an entire community together to raise vital funds and awareness.
“Blood cancer remains the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, yet it often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.
“People like George and Arthur are helping to drive forward crucial research and improve support for patients and families – bringing us closer to the day when no one dies of blood cancer.”
