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.