Izzy's Legacy is a Special Named Fund at CCLG raising money for research into acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Izzy was twenty one when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Izzy shares her story…
I knew in myself something was not right, I was tired, everything was an effort and I had epic bruises which were not healing alongside a red dot to dot rash around my ankles.
I put it down to stress and continued powering through each day. As the days went on, I began to feel worse, so with the support of my partner, family and friends I went to the doctors to find out what was going on. Once at the doctors I was told I would need to go to the GPAU (general practise assessment unit) at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Hours passed at the GPAU while I waited for my blood results to come back. Doctors were puzzled at my symptoms and continued to ask me questions into my day to day life and family history. In the early hours of the morning, I was taken into private room and to my complete surprise, I was told I had leukaemia.
My first instinct was to ask if my diagnosis was curable or terminal. I was told it was very curable, but it would be a difficult road ahead. I was then placed on an adult’s haematology ward and further tests were conducted through the night to investigate my leukaemia further.
The next day I was told I had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and would need to start treatment immediately. At the time, I was willing to do anything to feel better. But looking back now, I realise that this was the moment my life - the life I once knew as a happy and healthy 21-year-old working as a local government officer - changed forever. One week I was healthy and enjoying life, and the next, I was told I had leukaemia. Just four days later, I began chemotherapy.
A few days later I was moved to Teenage Cancer Trust ward (also known as ward 27) at Leicester Royal Infirmary. This is where I am now looked after as I continue my treatment for my leukaemia. The team on the ward are amazing, and I am extremely grateful to everyone that looks after me.
Before being diagnosed, I could not stand blood or hospitals but now I have had multiple chemotherapies, hospital stays, drips, lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirates and more, which makes it second nature to me.
Having cancer has taught me many things such as the importance of family, wanting to do things that ‘fill my cup’, but most importantly, giving back to the community. I have created Izzy’s Legacy as place for me to for fill this via fundraising, to raise awareness, and raise funds for research into ALL.
I also want my fund to raise awareness into the importance of mental health and talking about your feelings, as this is often an area of a cancer diagnosis which is forgotten about. I have lots of people wanting to support me, and my family and friends can’t wait to get involved.
Make a donation to Izzy's Legacy
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Open an online fundraising page for Izzy's Legacy
Set up a regular Direct Debit donation to Izzy's Legacy
Research projects funded
Fundraising pages
Text CCLGIZZY to 70085 to donate £5.
CCLG will receive 100% of your donation. You may also be charged for one text message at your network’s standard or charity rate.
You can make a donation or pay in funds raised by cheque, payable to CCLG, to CCLG, Century House, 24 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GB. Please ensure you make it clear that the donation is for Izzy's Legacy so that your donation is allocated to the correct fund.