I’m setting up this fundraiser at the request of friends and family. A lot of people often offer help and want to support me which I’m so grateful for, so this seems the easiest way to do so and share my story.

Who was I before cancer?

I am the eldest of four siblings, daughter to my wonderful family and best friend, my mum. While studying for my English degree, I worked as a tutor for schools and local councils providing education to students who were unable to attend mainstream school for various different reasons, mainly being mental health and special educational needs.

I loved shopping with my mum and sisters, being girly and getting my hair done, musicals, old films, most music so long as it’s from the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s, travelling, my cats and creative writing. I secured a teacher training position to start in September 2024, but relapsed before I was able to start.

Initial diagnosis 

As many of you know, in October 2023 I was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, a rare T-Cell Lymphoma with little known about it, and few people who have had it. I finished my BV-CHP chemotherapy, which was really hard, in January 2024. I lost all of my hair, my confidence, and still felt on edge. It wasn’t long, 8 weeks exactly, before I started getting ulcer like wounds appear on my skin alongside a rash.

Relapse 

Worried, I went back to my hospital and saw a dermatologist. It wasn’t likely my lymphoma would come back this quickly, so there was not an urgency at this point to diagnose what was going on.

In June, it was confirmed these lesions were Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma - the cancer had returned in my skin. It’s rare enough, 200 people a year, to have this cancer anyway, let alone to relapse and have it return in the skin too. Statistically it’s a one in a million chance. 

Due to my medical history, they needed to see whether it was spreading beyond the skin. The week I found out I had potentially relapsed, I also found out I was pregnant. 

It was bitter sweet. It had meant my chemotherapy didn’t make me infertile, but I wasn't allowed any scans or treatment until I was no longer pregnant. I had to privately pursue a medical termination as the NHS wait time was too long to get the ball rolling in time for an essential PET scan, and I also wanted to have it over and done with as soon as possible.

This private procedure cost me £500. I graduated 4 days later, and then went away with my mum to try and get on with life as much as possible while waiting for more answers. While I was in France, my scan confirmed it had come back in the lymphnodes in my groin. 

My first chemotherapy date was confirmed for the 28th of August, so that meant there was time for egg harvesting, which there wasn’t the first time. I successfully got 9 eggs to the freezer, so even though I was about to be made infertile from the stem cell transplant, I may be able to still be a mum one day.

Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant (known more commonly as a bone marrow transplant)

By August, I was Stage 4 again. My disease is classed as high risk and aggressive, so moves fast. I had to be admitted for my first chemotherapy as the cancerous nodes put a lot of pressure on my lower back and spine which impacted my ability to walk, and was also extremely painful.

From August through to November I completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy to bridge me to my Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant (also known as a Bone Marrow Transplant). A lovely German stranger on the donor list turned out to be a 10/10 match, and on the 12th of December I received his cells to try and save my life. 

After a nasty allergic reaction to the conditioning chemotherapy I received before transplant, neutropenic sepsis and 28 days of near isolation as an inpatient, I made it home on Boxing Day.

What now?

Now it’s rest, dealing with infections as they come and go due to having no immune system, and trying to build up the strength again to do basic tasks. I've also been working on a book since my initial diagnosis, I hope to get back to that soon.

Why do cancer patients turn to GoFundMe?

1) There is limited support available to young adults who are over 18. We’re just at the start of adulthood, probably still living at home, not quite grown adults but no longer teenagers. It’s a blurred middle ground with not as many resources to access.

2) Cancer is expensive. Especially after transplant. You can not use public transport, and there are a lot of appointments to keep up with. You’re unable to work, and bills still exist through cancer.

3) Cancer is also unpredictable. With a high-risk and relapsed disease, you can’t ever say for sure what comes next. You are living day by day. Making memories with family and being able to afford to do that is so important. As well as maintaining hobbies and trying to stay occupied. 

Thank you for reading what I’ve been going through. Even just reading is kind of you and keeps the awareness of Lymphoma and its impact on young people alive. T-Cell Lymphomas like mine receive little funding as they’re rarer, so awareness is important.

Leonie Richards