‘Cancer doesn’t discriminate’: Newbury woman battling rare blood cancer to ‘Walk the World’ for charity

A Newbury woman battling a rare form of blood cancer is joining a charity fundraiser to raise awareness about her condition.

More than 40,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, according to Blood Cancer UK.

Miriam France, 26, was diagnosed with a rare type of leukaemia called acute promyelocytic leukaemia in June.

She is now out of hospital and will be undergoing her next round of chemotherapy in October.

And she wants to take part in Walk the World, walking 10km to raise vital funds for Blood Cancer UK.

Miss France first noticed something was wrong when her vision became blurry on a flight home from Dublin.

“Over the next coming days, I had extreme fatigue, pain in my bones and a temperature,” the former Kennet School pupil told newburytoday.

“I took a Covid test just in case and it was positive, so I put the symptoms down to that.”

But she continued having nose bleeds as well as unexplained bruises, oral blood blisters and rashes that wouldn’t go.

She called her GP and booked a blood test for a week’s time.

But a day later, her nose began bleeding uncontrollably while she was out holiday shopping and she was rushed to A&E where, after a two hour wait, she received the terrible news.

“They struggled to get a blood test from me which is when it all added up; I knew I had leukaemia.

“I think if we actually waited [until her appointment] I might not have been as lucky.

“All our holiday, festival and concert plans for the summer were cancelled and we had to adjust to the new normal.

“The consultant haematologist gave us the news, which was hard to take, but I’m glad we got an answer so I could get the treatment I need to survive.

“From then, I spent five weeks in Basingstoke Hospital with a fantastic support team, confined to a room.

“I became neutropenic, had three different infections, daily blood tests, numerous blood transfusions, antibiotics, a bone marrow biopsy and started chemotherapy.”

Part of Miss France’s reason for backing the charity is to support its 17-point Action Plan, which will be put forward to the secretary of state for health and social care for consideration to provide a better future for those with blood cancer.

When asked what advice she would give to other young people with cancer, Miss France added:

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Trust your instincts and know your body.

“If you aren’t sure about a lump, a mole, bruises, a rash, anything which isn’t your normal, please see a GP or contact 111.

“I know it’s a scary idea but it’s so much better to get an answer sooner than later.

“It might be nothing, but it also might be something.”

Miss France plans to walk along Snelsmore Common, Greenham and Crookham Commons, Bowdown Woods and other local areas to complete her challenge.

Please visit https://shorturl.at/6M9d9 to donate to her fundraiser.

What is acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)?

More than 40,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, claims Blood Cancer UK.

Leukaemia is one of the most common types of blood cancer.

APL is rare type of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), says Cancer Research UK, which targets cells called promyelocytes, white blood cells at an early stage of development.

The illness develops quickly so a fast diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Symptoms can include bruising and bleeding, blood clots, fatigue, weight loss and infections.

Visit Blood Cancer UK’s website at https://shorturl.at/DXE3r to learn more.