Help Elena Recover & Rebuild Her Life After Leukaemia

I’m Elena, and I’m reaching out for help during the toughest time of my life.

Following a long-awaited holiday with my fiancé, I began to feel unwell, on returning home, the feeling continued and after several visits to my doctor, a blood test revealed a very rare and Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, which an extremely aggressive blood cancer that was progressing extremely quickly despite discovering my symptoms early.

Receiving my first IVIG treatment

I was admitted in October 2022 and from that moment on, my life changed completely. I spent the next year in one small room in Southampton General Hospital, only being able to leave for a few days at a time between treatments. My room was my cell for a year while treatment started.

During my treatment, many complications arose, I suffered a stroke, which paralysed me down my right side for several months and has affected my strength in that side greatly to this day. After my first round of chemotherapy, the leukaemia spread to my right eye and required intensive radiotherapy to treat. There were many moments when it is truly touch and go. It was the scariest time of my life. I underwent intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, eventually, a stem cell transplant when a donor was found.

Re-learning to eat on my own after the stroke

At first, we believed the transplant was successful. I had a precious year outside the hospital, regaining some normalcy – attempting to get back to my graphic design career, reconnecting with friends and family, and simply living life again. My hospital stay was extremely isolating, and with my weakened immune system, I wasn’t allowed many visitors, only my Mum, Dad and Fiancé. That year meant everything to me.

Attending one of my best friends weddings

Then, in October 2024, my worst fear became a reality – I relapsed with the Leukaemia returning to my eye, and the truth of the reality is that after one transplant with my type of Cancer, the normal expectation is only to prolong life, I was offered one chance with little known results, I accepted an experimental treatment at Kings College Hospital in London for the chance live or die.

One of my first days of chemotherapy in Kings College

Heartbreakingly, the day I was supposed to walk down the aisle and marry the love of my life, I was instead having intense chemotherapy in preparation for my treatment. What should have been one of the happiest days of my life became one of the hardest, as my dreams of celebrating with family and friends were replaced with another fight for survival. Cancer really does take everything from you with no remorse.

This Treatment came with a lot more risks than the first, and the complications that arose were even worse. Severe infections ravaging my destroyed immune system put me in the ICU, sedated, and on breathing support from December 2024 for 8 weeks, missing Christmas and new year and I have only just been able to be awake, using a speaking valve to be able to talk to my loved ones for the first time in 2 months. Now, I’m awake, making slow progress, and focusing on my recovery. But while I fight to get stronger, new worries have surfaced.

Me after I had just gotten back the use of my voice

Why I Need Your Help

My home is unsafe for my health – The property I’m supposed to return to is covered in mould, falling apart, and dangerous for my fragile immune system. It is also a long distance from the hospital in Southampton where I would need to continue my treatment for years to come following my intense recovery. Beyond housing, I’ll need ongoing care, treatments, and support to regain my independence.

Despite everything, the government has provided extremely limited financial assistance. And most government schemes do not cater for young people over the age of 25. As I had just turned 25 at the start of my treatment, I felt extremely helpless when it came to my finances and have had to rely on my limited savings and family over the last 2 years which as drained me mentally, physically, financially and emotionally.

Due to this, to support my rehabilitation, we cannot afford to move or make the necessary improvements without some help.

For the past three years, we’ve asked for nothing – but now, we have no choice. If I am ever going to fully heal and rebuild, with limited government help or support, I need help.

How You Can Help

No matter how small, any amount will make a difference and will help me take steps toward a safe home, medical recovery, and a fresh start.

If you can’t donate, sharing my story means the world to me. Every share brings me closer to the support I need.

I can’t express how much it means that you took the time to read my story. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust your instincts – if something feels wrong, keep pushing for answers.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support

With love,

Elena