21km for Dylan, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

On Thursday 28th April 2022, the unimaginable happened and my long-term boyfriend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukaemia at just 19. Within 3 days of diagnosis, Dylan started 2 months of gruelling chemotherapy treatment which had a detrimental impact on both his physical and mental health. Thankfully, in July 2022, Dylan was told he was in remission and that a donor had been found for his Stem Cell Transplant.

Life after the transplant was tough, Dylan suffered from GVHD (a sign that his body was rejecting the transplant) and as you can imagine, felt entirely wiped out by the total body irradiation and intense courses of chemotherapy that he had endured. As the months went on, he slowly started to feel more ‘normal’ and life was good again. Dylan was able to return to university to complete his first year exams and we were able to spend time together as a couple, without the sour presence of his cancer looming over us.

However, on Thursday 29th June 2023, Dylan received the devastating news that none of us had anticipated nor prepared for – his Leukaemia had returned. Dylan’s chemotherapy treatment resumed the following week, and just like that, we were living the same nightmare all over again. Dylan took every challenge into his stride and fought with courage and determination.

At this point, the only option for Dylan was to go to America for a clinical trial to undergo ‘CAR T Therapy’. Upon hearing this news, myself and Dylan’s friends and family began fundraising to ensure he could get to America to receive this treatment. We got Dylan’s story out there and with all our fundraising efforts, collectively raised almost £200,000. Unfortunately, Dylan’s type of cancer was aggressive and progressed rapidly every day meaning time was not on our side.

It pains me to say that Dylan passed away on Thursday 26th August 2023. I know I speak for many when I say that Dylan was the most caring, compassionate, and generous person I have ever met. I was lucky to have him in my life for nearly 4 years and I wish every day it could have been for longer.

I joined the Myprotein team as an Intern just 2 weeks after Dylan had relapsed. I considered postponing my internship to put all my focus into Dylan and his recovery, but it was Dylan that convinced me to stay and that it was an opportunity he did not want me to miss. From my first day on the job to now almost my last as my internship comes to an end, I have been met with the upmost respect, understanding and compassion from all members of my team. The last year would have been impossible to face if I did not have the support of the fantastic team that I have been lucky enough to work alongside every day.

Throughout Dylan’s time in hospital, he was looked after by The Teenage Cancer Trust and his experience as an inpatient was drastically improved by the love and care of the TCT staff and of the facilities on the TCT ward. For this reason, and to mirror Dylan’s generosity, I am determined to give back to TCT to thank them on behalf of Dylan for making his traumatic experience that little bit brighter.

On Sunday 21st July, myself and the Myprotein team will be walking 21km to celebrate what would have been Dylan’s 21st birthday this year, in support of The Teenage Cancer Trust. We will be walking the Dovedale Circular Trail in The Peak District. This charity changes young lives for the better, so please give what you can and sponsor us on our challenge – every penny really does help, and it will give us the momentum we need to get up those hills on our trek!

From myself, the Myprotein team and on behalf of Dylan, thank you for your support x