Lisa's story
Lisa Jackson, 47, from Clacton-on-Sea, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)in June 2020.
Her diagnosis followed a fainting incident at home a few days earlier, when her 17-year-old son found her on the floor. Before that Lisa had been working full-time, exercising and walking regularly, with the only other noticeable sign that something might be wrong being that she easily got out of breath.
After a visit to her GP, she was sent straight to Colchester Hospital for tests, which showed her haemoglobin level was just 45 (compared to a normal level of more like 115-165). As a result, severe anaemia was diagnosed as well as AML.
A treatment plan was put together and Lisa was transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. She received the first cycle of chemotherapy with three further cycles expected as an inpatient. The doctors have mentioned the possibility of Lisa requiring a blood stem cell transplant, so her brother has been tested and is awaiting the results of a possible match.
In the meantime, Lisa has been keeping a daily social media blog where she has shared details of the work of DKMS with family and friends. This has led to many of them registering & requesting swab test kits, and one friend has also donated £200 to DKMS to help towards the cost of processing the tests and the associated administration.
Lisa will know whether she needs a blood stem cell transplant by the fourth cycle of chemotherapy. She continues to raise awareness of DKMS - who she actually registered with as a potential donor in 2017, so that she and others have the best chance of finding a suitable donor, if and when required. You can continue to follow Lisa's Journey on Facebook.
If you are unable to register as a potential donor, we would be very grateful if you could consider making a contribution towards the cost of a registration.