We have now been admitted to The Royal Marsden in Sutton (South London) for Tula’s bone marrow transplant, which is scheduled to take place on 11th June. The fact we are here at all feels like a complete miracle. Tula came in well, happy, and stronger, she even put on some weight while we were at home, and we had a genuinely precious few days together as a family before this next stage began. We are deeply, deeply grateful for that.

At the same time, we want to be honest about the reality: our specialists have told us that transplant carries around a 20% chance of long-term success because Tula’s genetic disease biology is so rare and aggressive. So while we are praying for the best and taking each day as it comes, we are also planning for what happens after transplant, because in Tula’s case we cannot afford to simply “wait and see and hope.”

Why fundraising continues (and why urgency still matters)

The NHS has been extraordinary and we will always be grateful for the care at Piam Brown (Southampton Children’s Hospital) and now at The Royal Marsden. But Tula’s journey has shown us that options can become time-critical overnight, and many of the additional steps needed to improve her odds are not covered by the NHS, or can be difficult to access quickly.

Because of the biology of Tula’s AML, we are actively exploring post-transplant strategy now, including the metabolic side of cancer and how we can support Tula’s body and immune system to reduce the risk of relapse. We remain in conversation with top paediatric AML specialists in the USA, and we are also working with a highly experienced integrative specialist in America.

Every pound raised so far has been unbelievably helpful, and we still do not know what the final “bill” of this journey will look like. International trials and treatment pathways can be hugely expensive, and there are also real costs in simply sustaining a young family of five through prolonged hospital care, travel, and the need for one parent to be with Tula at all times.

This fundraiser supports

✅ Accommodation and living costs during prolonged hospital stays (Southampton and now London, and potentially internationally)

✅ Travel costs for parents and essential family support

✅ Loss of income / practical support as Pete and Jo step away from self-employed work to be full-time carers (the care is 24/7)

✅ Childcare and sibling support for Alora (3) and baby Leo

✅ Specialist second opinions and urgent consultations (UK and international)

✅ Integrative care, supplementation and specialist supportive treatments not provided by the NHS

✅ Time-critical medications and services if recommended domestically or internationally but not available on the NHS

✅ Emergency logistics if travel becomes necessary for treatment access

The reality is: the cost of accessing a trial or treatment route in the USA can reach £1,000,000+, and long-term full-time care for a child can also become significant. We don’t know whether we will need these pathways, but planning for them is sensible, and being able to act fast could make all the difference.

Our commitment

From this point forward, funds raised will be used to support Tula’s treatment and care as our absolute priority. If, in the best-case scenario, we do not need to use all funds for international access or long-term care, we commit to using any remaining funds in a way that is aligned with our values and experience, doing something genuinely positive for children with cancer. But right now, our focus must remain on giving Tula the best chance possible, for as long as it takes.

Thank you for standing with us, for your prayers, and for the practical support that has carried us to this point. We are asking for a second miracle, and we are preparing for the long road ahead with as much strength, love, and clarity as we can.

If you’d like to follow updates on Instagram:

Joanna — @joanna_hunt_

Pete — @pete_hunt_