PhD Student Update

In the Autumn Newsletter of The UCLH Leukaemia & Lymhoma Unit charity, there was a feature article on the PhD student, Eva, who is sponsored by Lauren's Fund. 

Eva's research project is called "Developing an anti-CD33 chimeric antigen receptor for acute myeloid leukaemia adoptive T cell therapy". She explains how her research aims to develop a cancer treatment which is much more effective and less toxic than current treatments, like chemotherapy. It was great to read an update from Eva and we wish her every success in our quest to beat leukaemia! 

The full edition of the Wardlines Newsletter can be viewed here. 

Charity Go-Karting Event 2012-2014

Richard Arnold, a friend of my dad, has been organising an annual charity go-karting event for the past few years at Buckmore Park with around 100 drivers taking part. 

Richard included Lauren's Fund as part of his fundraising as soon as he heard about it. In 2012, £2125 was raised (a record amount for the event) and a further £1553 in 2013. Last month, £667 was raised which is fantastic! A very big thank you to every one who has taken part in these events!

A double celebration

Today marks the second anniversary since my stem cell transplant, donated by my sister, Sarah. I'm delighted to report that I'm feeling really well and my consultants are equally happy with my progress.

Another milestone was reached last month: I completed the law exams I was unable to sit in 2012. I'm now looking forward to starting my career as a lawyer next month.

Two New Projects!

I recently met with the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Unit, UCLH Charity to discuss potential projects for Lauren's Fund. I'm very excited to announce that two additional projects will be supported.

1. KEEP MOVING PROGRAMME

This is a physio-led exercise programme for bone marrow transplant patients. The aim is to encourage patients to take gentle exercise to maintain muscle tone and, importantly, stay motivated. Spending many weeks at a time in hospital (in protective isolation) makes it very hard to exercise, but I know the importance of keeping active and hope this project will benefit others too.

2. NURSING LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS

This scheme aims to provide more leadership capacity on the wards. Treating haematological disorders demands highly responsive and effective nursing care. Nursing clinical leadership is key to ensuring patients receive the best care. During the course of my treatment, it was invaluable to have nurses who were incredibly responsive, efficient and compassionate. It's so important that these nurses are retained and I'm delighted that this project will help to achieve this.

I will share further details about these projects when they are implemented.

Tim's Marathon Run

My sister's friend, Tim Bridge, and his fiancée, Hannah, are running the Manchester Marathon on 6 April 2014 and have very kindly chosen to raise money for my fund. I feel so inspired when I watch a marathon on TV and will be willing Tim and Hannah on in their training and on the big day itself. You too can show your support by donating on my JustGiving page.

The 500th Donation

Each time a donation is made on my JustGiving page, I receive an email notification. When I opened one such email on 2 March 2014, I saw that the 500^th donation had been made. It was at this moment that the sheer scale of what had been achieved struck me and I thought it was an ideal time to use this blog to explain how the funds were being spent. I am truly grateful for the phenomenal support I have received and for every single donation that has been so generously made. Here’s to the next 500 donations…

Tony James’ 50th Birthday Party Donations

A friend of my dad, Tony James, selflessly chose to forgo presents for his 50^th birthday in January 2014 and, instead, asked family and friends to donate on my JustGiving page. This was a wonderful gesture and many hundreds of pounds have been raised as a result – thank you so very much!

11 Electric Armchairs

The additional funds have now been used to purchase 11 electric armchairs for the new Young Adults Unit at UCLH at a cost of £8978. It provides the patient with a comfortable alternative to bed-ridden confinement in a single room that can last for many weeks, as part of the protective isolation treatment of the cancer. It can also be used by family and friends, particularly if they wish to stay with the patient overnight. I really appreciated the armchair at a time when I was in considerable pain – and I do like the bright colours of the new chairs; anything that can cheer up a hospital room is a good thing!

A Unique Cancer Research Project

Sufficient funds were raised to sponsor a unique leukaemia research project at the UCL Cancer Institute. Eva Kokalaki is a PhD student and was selected in April 2013 for the project, aimed at finding a less toxic form of treatment for leukaemia – using what are known as T cells. From May 2014, a Master's student will be helping Eva with her research. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the project develops.

Stan Petrov

Many of you will know of Stan Petrov, the Aston Villa Football Club Captain who was also diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012. Stan and I were treated on the same ward and at the same time at UCLH. He very kindly arranged for a box at Aston Villa to be auctioned for the match against Arsenal in November 2012, which raised £2,000 for my fund, and we have kept in touch ever since.

Charity Auctions

Once word spread about my JustGiving page, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of those who wanted to reach out and help by donating prizes for auction. With my dad as chief auctioneer, thousands of pounds have been raised thanks to the very generous donations from a number of well-known groups, including:

Claridge’s Hotel, Wentworth Golf Club, The Landmark Hotel in London, The Grange Hotel St Paul’s, The Royal Horseguards Hotel, The Hawksmoor Restaurant Group, Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, The Columbus Hotel in Monte Carlo, The Don Carlos Hotel in Marbella, The Gran Melia Palacio De Isora Resort in Tenerife and my beloved Tottenham Hotspur. 

How it all began: The London Bridgathon

In September 2012, along with over 250 other walkers, my older sister Sarah took part in the London Bridgathon – the charity’s annual fundraising event. This set the ball rolling for Lauren’s Fund, and was a fitting launch as Sarah was the donor for my stem cell transplant.

About Me

My name is Lauren Murrell. I had graduated from Hertford College, Oxford and was about to sit my exams at the University of Law in London when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) on 1 February 2012 (aged 23). I was treated at University College London Hospital (UCLH) with chemotherapy, radiotherapy (total body irradiation) and a stem cell transplant.

In August 2012, I began fundraising for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Unit, UCLH Charity. My initial target of £1,000 was quickly reached and, as the donations kept coming, the charity created what has become known as “Lauren's Fund”. My aim is for the money raised to help patients and find a better way to treat AML. I will update you with news of my fund’s progress and the difference it is making.