We hope that you have all stayed healthy since our last newsletter and would like to wish you a Happy New Year for 2023.
We would like to thank everyone for their kind donations at Christmas. We must mention Horace Jukes who raised over £500 by selling some of his paintings for our charity and also £110 which was donated in memory of Colin Benfield We are also grateful to the helpers who took part in our Morrison collection which raised £608.32! It was so nice collecting again and the public made us feel so welcome.
We were able to organise a curry night again and were delighted to raise nearly £340. We are now looking into organising a quiz night in a hall instead of being online.
Remember, if your company is choosing a charity of the year, think of us! As you may have read in the press, a lot of successful research is being done at the moment. Every pound raised does make the difference.
Blood Cancer UK has an open line for anyone who is undergoing any treatment or who would like to speak confidentially with the support services team on 0808 2080 888
FUTURE EVENTS
TESCO COLLECTION REDDITCH 28TH JANUARY
We have been given a collection on the 28th January and we are still looking for collectors on the day! Nicole has been contacting collectors but we are still short of helpers from 1.00 till 4.00. If you can help, please email Nicole.
RUN 50 IN FEBRUARY
1st Feb 2023 – 28th Feb 2023You may wish to organise your own event. You only need to run (or walk) 50 miles in the month. You may contact Nicole or events@bloodcancer.org.uk Any money raised for the Bromsgrove branch will be credited to us.
QUIZ NIGHT MARCH/APRIL
After being online for two years we are presently looking for a different venue as the number of participants may be limited at Avoncroft. Steve and his family will be present again. As soon as we have found our venue and date, we will contact you with further details.
WALK OF LIGHT MARCH 25TH at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham
This is a 2.5km or 5km night-time walk to light the way to beat blood cancer. Collect your free lantern upon arrival and become part of the light spectacular!
Join in with activities before your Walk of Light begins at 7pm and hear from our exciting line-up of speakers Share your reasons for walking in memory or in celebration of your loved ones and meet other like-minded walkers. Celebrate with your finisher’s medal and hot drink in the event village. Raise £50 and you’ll receive your Walk of Light T shirt which is only available to Walk of Light participants. The suggested arrival time will be around 6pm and the walk will begin shortly after the sun sets around 7pm. There are 2.5km and 5km routes to choose from with both accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Cannon Hill Park is accessible by public transport and there is limited car parking on site.
If you are able to help on the night or simply take part, let Nicole nicnoelharris@aol.com know as any money raised from you will then go directly to our branch!
FUN RUN MAY 14TH
Our annual Fun Run will take place at Bromsgrove Rugby Club and will consist of a 10k and a 5k race. All runners will receive a medal and all fundraisers with £30 sponsorship will get a T-shirt. The 5k route, which can be walked, follows the canal towpath for some of the route so children must be accompanied by an adult. The 10k is more challenging and attracts runners from a wide area. The run will be using chip timing. We would like to stress that the event is limited to 500 runners so do not wait to register. You can do this online on
We have changed our registration system, so you will not receive a pack as in previous years but an email with all information and you will need to collect your number and chip on the morning of the race. Remember to be present at least an hour before the race as we do need to take you to the start at 10.50. You will also receive your t shirt on the morning of the race if you have raised the minimum amount needed.
Should you be able to help please do contact Nicole.
UNWANTED GIFTS
When clearing up after Christmas, should you have any items which could be useful for our tombola or raffles, please let Nicole know as we are very short of items.
NEWS FROM BLOOD CANCER UK
As the year draws to a close and we begin to wrap up for the festive break, the regional team have naturally been looking back and taking stock. 2022 has been a year of much incredible fundraising as we have emerged from the pandemic, and we can all be proud of how our community has come together and what we have achieved.
Despite the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis, our community has continued to thrive and, collectively, you have raised an incredible £1.7 million in 2022.
This is testament to all your hard work over the past 12 months and we could not be more proud or grateful enough for all that you have done. From bucket collections to golf events, from Walk of Light to fun runs, you continue to go above and beyond to make sure we can beat blood cancer.
And it is because of your support that Blood Cancer UK could fund the research by the brilliant Prof Waseem Qasim that led to a significant, life-changing breakthrough.
Alyssa, 13, was diagnosed in 2021 with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of blood cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, there were no further suitable treatment options for her, so she enrolled on this new early-stage trial for leukaemia and became the world’s first person to receive a new type of CAR-T therapy. Just 28 days after, Alyssa went into remission. Six months on, and she’s still doing well at home with her family. We’re absolutely overjoyed for Alyssa, and excited about this new approach.
We can only fund innovative research just like this and save more lives just like Alyssa’s because of your support. Thank you for all that continue to do, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside you and support you in 2023.
THANK YOU!