Leukaemia UK

05/10/2026

We’re delighted to announce that we’re funding two new groundbreaking research studies, each aimed at developing kinder and more effective treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). 🔬

AML is particularly difficult to treat because it can be driven by a complex combination of genetic changes, meaning the disease can look and act very different from one person to another.

Through our prestigious 2026 John Goldman Fellowships, we’re supporting two researchers who are working to better understand these genetic changes and what they could mean for future treatments.

First, meet Dr Justin Loke from The University of Manchester, a clinical haematologist and researcher studying inherited changes in a gene called RUNX1, which can increase the risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and AML.

Dr Justin Loke has developed a laboratory model that can disrupt up to four genes at once in the cells that go on to form blood cells, allowing researchers to more closely recreate the complex genetic changes seen in patients.

By understanding what drives AML, this research could ultimately help pave the way for more precise, effective and kinder treatments. 🧡

Read more about Dr Loke’s research here: https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/research-and-advocacy/our-funded-research/identifying-a-deadly-combination-of-mutations/

29/09/2026

Continuing to uncover the power of natural killer (NK) cells against blood cancer. 👏🩸

If you’ve been following Leukaemia UK, you may remember our updates on Dr Matthew Blunt’s research into selinexor and natural killer (NK) cells, supported through the John Goldman Fellowship follow-up fund.

His latest research has now looked at multiple myeloma, a different type of blood cancer. The team found that selinexor can reduce a protective signal on myeloma cells, making them more vulnerable to attack by NK cells.

They also found that combining selinexor with therapeutic antibodies such as daratumumab and elotuzumab increased NK-cell activity against myeloma cells in laboratory studies.

These findings provide a rationale for investigating whether selinexor could be combined with existing treatments to strengthen the immune system’s attack on myeloma.

It’s fantastic to see Dr Blunt’s research extending from leukaemia to multiple myeloma, showing how discoveries in one area of blood cancer research can open up new possibilities across the field. 🔬

Read more about this research: http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42798230/

28/09/2026

Children often experience aches and pains as they grow - but ongoing bone pain could be a sign of leukaemia. 🦴

Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for around a third of all cancers in children under 15.

Many of the symptoms in children are similar to adults, but can also include bone pain, abdominal swelling and unexplained vomiting.

Unlike the growing pains many children experience, leukaemia-related bone pain tends to be persistent, may affect multiple areas, and can be severe enough to wake a child from sleep.

Many of these symptoms are also common in other childhood illnesses and in most cases, they won’t be caused by leukaemia.

But if you notice anything unusual or out of the ordinary for your child, MAKE sure it’s nothing serious.

Take them to your GP and ask for a full blood count test - a simple way to help rule out leukaemia. 🩸

Learn more at https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/about-leukaemia/signs-symptoms/leukaemia-in-children/

25/09/2026

Help us turn the streets of Manchester orange for life-saving leukaemia research! 🧡🍊

🏃 Got a place in next year’s Manchester Marathon? Use it to run for Team Leukaemia UK.

🏃 Not got a place yet, but want one? Apply to join our team through Run for Charity.

With every step, you’ll be helping to fund research into kinder, more effective treatments for those affected by leukaemia.

Find out more and sign up here: https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/event/manchester-marathon-april-2027/

23/09/2026

📢 “Everyone deserves a second chance. I see it as my duty to speak up for others.”

When Ruth relapsed from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), she was denied a second stem cell transplant on the NHS - all because of an outdated policy.

No exceptions. No appeal process.

But refusing to give up, she contacted her local MP and reached out to Leukaemia UK, Anthony Nolan and DKMS UK, who all agreed the policy urgently needed reviewing.

That’s when the Fair Chance campaign was born.

We’re calling on the UK government to fund and enable the NHS to change this policy, so that blood cancer patients like Ruth aren’t denied a potentially lifesaving second transplant.

Read Ruth’s story and sign the petition 👇

I'm only alive today because I fought the system - but now it's time to fight for others.

22/09/2026

“We’ve always been close as sisters, I just didn’t think she’d ever be injected into my bones” - Alice Bolton 🥺🧡

Today, on World Marrow Donor Day, we’re recognising the incredible and selfless people across the globe who donate their stem cells to give a second chance at life to a loved one or, often, a complete stranger.

Alice was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in May 2024.

After intensive chemotherapy treatment, she went into remission, but sadly relapsed just a few months later and was told she would need a stem cell transplant.

Incredibly, both of her sisters, Kate and Emma were perfect matches, which is exceptionally rare! 😲

Alice received a transplant from her sister Kate’s donor cells in May 2025. Thankfully, over a year on, she is in remission and recovering well.

“Finding out that both Emma and I were stem cell matches was incredibly important, as it gave us hope in a lot of darkness through Alice’s treatment,” said Kate.

Earlier this year, Alice and Kate also visited one of our funded researchers, Dr Konstantinos Tzelepis, at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute to learn about his research into kinder and more effective treatments for AML. 🔬

➡️ If you haven’t already, you can join the stem cell registry via Anthony Nolan or DKMS UK with just a simple cheek swab. You could be someone’s second chance at life. ✨

🎥 Film by TOAST Collective

21/09/2026

It most likely is “just another bug” - but if you’re noticing a pattern, it’s important to MAKE sure. 😷

Frequent and repeated infections could be a sign of leukaemia.

Signs to be aware of include picking up infections more easily, struggling to recover from them, or experiencing infections that keep returning shortly after clearing up.

These might include respiratory infections such as coughs and colds, sore throats, mouth ulcers, skin infections or urinary tract infections.

If you notice one or more symptoms that concern you, ask your GP for a full blood count test - a simple way to help rule out leukaemia. 🩸

Learn more at https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/about-leukaemia/signs-symptoms/frequent-or-repeated-infections/

17/09/2026

⚠️ Bruising more easily than usual? Not sure what caused it? MAKE sure it’s nothing serious.

Unexplained bruising or bleeding could be a sign of leukaemia.

Leukaemia-related bruising is different from the bruising most people experience day to day.

It can appear without a clear cause, occur in unusual places (such as the hands or face) and take longer than usual to fade.

Some people may also experience unexplained bleeding, where small cuts bleed for longer than expected or bleeding occurs without any obvious injury.

In most cases, bruising or bleeding won’t be caused by leukaemia, but it’s important to make sure.

If you notice one or more symptoms that concern you, ask your GP for a full blood count test - a simple way to help rule out leukaemia. 🩸

Learn more at https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/about-leukaemia/signs-symptoms/unexplained-bruising-or-bleeding/

11/09/2026

Treatment for leukaemia can be harsh and gruelling - but research is changing that. A gift in your Will could help fund breakthroughs that make treatments kinder and more effective. 🧡

Did you know you can write or update your Will for free with us today, in just 15 minutes?

We work with Farewill and the National Free Wills Network which allow you to write your Will for free online or pair you with a solicitor nearby.

This means you can take care of your loved ones and also choose to leave a gift that helps ensure future generations can continue to benefit from life-saving research.

Of course, there’s no obligation to leave a gift, but even a small amount will make a lasting impact.

Find out more: www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will

10/09/2026

When Ruth relapsed nine months after her first stem cell transplant, she was denied a second one - all because of an outdated NHS policy. ‼️

Ruth, 58, from Staffordshire, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in January 2024.

She underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, before receiving a stem cell transplant in September that year. But sadly, she relapsed nine months later, in June 2025.

Ruth was shocked to learn that under NHS guidelines she would not be eligible for a second transplant as she had relapsed within a year.

She was told that once her temporary treatment stopped working, she would go into palliative care, despite her clinicians believing a second transplant was worth pursuing.

It soon became clear there were no exceptions and no appeal process. 🤯

Refusing to give up, Ruth contacted her local MP with the request to raise the issue in Parliament, and began talks with charities including Leukaemia UK. But she soon accepted that nothing would change in time for her.

Thankfully, Ruth was later able to secure funding from her company medical insurance to pay for a second transplant privately. She underwent the transplant in January this year, which was a success, and she is currently recovering.

But Ruth’s story, along with the experiences of other patients in similar situations, has highlighted the need for an urgent review of the policy.

That’s why Leukaemia UK, Anthony Nolan and DKMS UK have launched a joint campaign calling on NHS England to update their policy on second transplants.

Read more about why this matters and sign the petition here: https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/stories/a-second-chance-at-life-2/