How Simon Thomas is helping us beat blood cancer
As our Blood Cancer UK President, Simon Thomas launched the Gemma Thomas Fund in memory of his wife
The former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenter lost his wife to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) suddenly in November 2017. The Gemma Thomas Fund will invest money into research on AML to prevent other families suffering such devastating loss. Survival rates for this aggressive type of blood cancer are shockingly low, with just 15% of people surviving for five years or more.
Simon became a President of Blood Cancer UK in 2018 and will take part in an ambitious, 30-day challenge in September 2019 to raise awareness and funds as part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
The Gemma Thomas Fund
Gemma had flu-like symptoms. She visited her GP three times over the course of six days and each time, she was told to go home and rest. After she was finally admitted to hospital, she died from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) just four days later, on 24 November 2017.
Simon and Blood Cancer UK have set up the Gemma Thomas Fund to invest in research projects which focus on improving understanding of AML and its relationship with other blood cancers, and finding more effective treatments for the disease. We’re determined that Gemma's fund will create a lasting legacy that improves the lives of others affected by blood cancer.
