On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, special guest host and childhood leukaemia survivor Hughie Higginson sits down with Andrea, a Macmillan Nurse. Andrea shares her journey into paediatric oncology, the realities of meeting families on some of the hardest days of their lives, and the importance of helping children and parents feel informed, supported and in control throughout treatment.Find out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, we are joined by Mark Chandler, a father of three whose life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Mark shares his journey from being a fit and active family man, through an unexpected diagnosis and a devastating prognosis, to an experimental treatment, stem cell transplant, and ultimately remission. He also reflects on saying goodbye, the importance of family, and how cancer has completely changed the way he views life.What’s in this episode:- The first symptoms Mark experienced, including pain across his shoulders, severe shivering and shaking, and rapidly worsening health that eventually led him to A&E- Breaking the news to his wife and three children, and the challenges of helping children of different ages understand and cope with a cancer diagnosis- Mark’s difficult treatment journey, including two rounds of intensive chemotherapy that failed to control his disease and the devastating news that he was no longer eligible for a stem cell transplant- Being given just two to four weeks to live, choosing to return home to spend his remaining time with his family, and the emotional reality of preparing to say goodbye- Mark's unexpected hospital wedding, followed by Mark’s own goodbye party with friends, which he described as a celebration of life- The unexpected turnaround that gave Mark more time, leading to further treatment and eventually a much more aggressive and experimental chemotherapy approach- Receiving a stem cell donation from a 28-year-old donor in Chile and undergoing the long-awaited transplant- Being told on 30 December 2025 that he was officially in remission, marking a new chapter after an extraordinary cancer journey- How Mark’s experience has changed his perspective on life, family and happiness, and why he now believes that “the mundane things are where the happiness is”Find out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, we are joined by Dr. Tom Hunt, a junior doctor whose life changed forever when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at just 18 years old. Tom shares his journey from recognising the first warning signs, through diagnosis and intensive treatment, to remission, becoming a doctor himself, and how his experience has shaped both his career and outlook on life.What’s in this episode:- Tom’s first symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, and the warning signs he initially dismissed while preparing for university and travelling across Europe- The moment blood tests revealed he had no blood counts, hearing the word leukaemia for the first time, and how his diagnosis unfolded- Tom’s determination to begin treatment immediately and the positive mindset that helped him face chemotherapy- The physical and emotional challenges of treatment, including his toughest moments, a seizure during chemotherapy, and the unwavering support of his mum, family, and friends- Reaching remission after seven months of intensive treatment, continuing maintenance therapy for two years, and learning to live with the uncertainty that follows cancer- Returning to medical school, qualifying as a junior doctor, and how living through blood cancer has influenced the way he cares for patients- The lasting psychological impact of cancer, including health anxiety, panic attacks, and how therapy helped him move forwardFind out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer: The Patients' Podcast, childhood leukaemia survivors Hughie Higginson and Jude Hawkridge share their experiences of being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), the challenges of treatment, and how they’ve rebuilt their lives after cancer. They also reflect on the hope the ATICUS Network brings for future generations of children with blood cancer.What’s in this episode:- Hughie and Jude’s experiences of being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), including the symptoms they experienced and how long it took to receive a diagnosis- The emotional impact of hearing the word "cancer" as a child and navigating treatment at a young age- Jude’s treatment journey, from chemotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy to receiving a stem cell transplant- The realities of spending long periods in hospital, coping with isolation, missing family and friends, and finding comfort in the small things during treatment- How treatment affected everyday life, including changes in appetite, missing school and football, and the importance of being treated like any other child- The lasting impact Professor Rob Wynn had on both Hughie and Jude’s treatment journeys- Why the ATICUS Network is so important in developing less toxic treatments, expanding access to innovative clinical trials, and improving outcomes for children undergoing stem cell transplantsFind out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, we are joined by Dr. Katharine Patrick, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, to explore the realities of treating children with blood cancer, supporting families through diagnosis, and the exciting advances shaping the future of paediatric care and research.What’s in this episode:- Dr. Patrick’s journey into medicine and how a six-month placement inspired her to specialise in paediatric haematology- The emotional challenges and rewards of caring for children with blood cancer, and the importance of the multidisciplinary team supporting patients and families- How childhood leukaemia is diagnosed and common symptoms- The conversations doctors have with families following a diagnosis, including providing reassurance, hope, and tailored support throughout treatment- Why exercise is becoming an increasingly important part of childhood cancer care, helping children recover more quickly and maintain their long-term health- Katharine's fundraising challenge, cycling The Route (all stages of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift) and why funding research is essential- The importance of the ATICUS Network in expanding access to clinical trials, accelerating new treatments for children undergoing stem cell transplants, and improving supportive careFind out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, The Patients’ Podcast, we are joined by Professor Rob Wynn, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and Director of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Manchester Children’s Hospital.What’s in this episode:- Rob’s journey into medicine and how a last-minute decision at sixth form led him to a career in paediatric haematology- Why haematology appealed to him as a specialty, combining both the science and philosophy of medicine- The remarkable advances he has witnessed in childhood blood cancer treatment during more than 30 years in the field- Why giving families hope, alongside honesty, is essential when a child is diagnosed with leukaemia- What a true cure means to Rob, and the importance of helping children live healthy, normal lives after treatment- The role of blood and bone marrow transplantation in treating childhood blood cancers and the potential of cord blood donations- How immunotherapy, targeted treatments and transplantation are creating new options when chemotherapy alone is not enough- The motivation that continues to drive his work, including improving outcomes and reducing treatment-related side effects- His vision for the future through the ATICUS Network, with a focus on curing every child while minimising toxicity- The story behind completing Tour 21 despite breaking his elbow on day two, and why supporting blood cancer research remains so importantFind out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can support pioneering blood cancer research and patients across the globe: https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/

On this episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, The Patients’ Podcast, we are joined by James McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Cure Leukaemia.

What’s in this episode:

• James’ route into Cure Leukaemia, from his career in sport with organisations including Nike, Watford FC and Edgbaston Cricket Club
• How meeting Cure Leukaemia co-founders Professor Charlie Craddock and Graham Silk inspired him to join the charity’s mission
• Why his commercial and marketing background has helped drive the charity’s growth and fundraising success
• The importance of keeping patients at the heart of every decision and seeing first-hand the impact of clinical research
• The partnerships and fundraising milestones that helped transform Cure Leukaemia
• The story behind Tour 21 and the moment Cure Leukaemia came within “an hour of going bust”
• James’ vision for the future, including expanding access to clinical trials and growing the ATICUS Network to improve treatment options for children with blood cancer

Find out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/⁠

On this special International Clinical Trials Day episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, The Patients’ Podcast, we are joined by Professor Chris Fox, Professor of Haematology at Nottingham University Hospitals and Medical Director of the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP), to discuss the vital role clinical trials play in advancing blood cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.

What’s in this episode:

• Professor Fox’s journey into haematology and lymphoma, and the differences between lymphoma and leukaemia
• How he balances patient care with leading and designing clinical trials to bring new treatments to patients
• Why clinical trials are essential for developing safer and more effective therapies for blood cancers
• The major advances transforming lymphoma treatment, including immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies
• The impact of the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) in improving access to pioneering clinical trials across the UK
• Why Professor Fox believes the future of lymphoma treatment is incredibly promising, with continued progress expected over the next decade

Find out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: ⁠⁠https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/⁠

In this special International Nurses Day episode of Let’s Talk Blood Cancer, The Patients' Podcast, host Adam Joyce is joined by Jesusa (Jes) Sulit, Sian Fowdur, and Abi Sutcliffe — three Clinical Research Nurses from Nottingham University Haematology Ward — to explore the vital role research nurses play in blood cancer clinical trials and patient care.

What’s in this episode:

- What a Clinical Research Nurse does- Supporting patients through long-term clinical trials from consent to treatment and beyond

- Why research nurses are often described as “navigators” for patients throughout their cancer journey

- How clinical trials help turn today’s research into tomorrow’s standard of care

- The impact research has had on blood cancer treatment, including less toxic therapies and home-based treatments

- Why research nurses are essential to running safe and effective clinical trials

- Addressing misconceptions and fears patients may have about joining clinical trials

- The emotional highs and lows of supporting patients through treatment and remission

- Why the role is so rewarding and the lasting difference research nurses can make to patient outcomes

- Reflections on International Nurses Day and the future of blood cancer care

Thank you to all Clinical Research Nurses for the incredible work they do to improve outcomes for blood cancer patients around the world.

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Steve Knapper a Consultant Haematologist Hospital at Wales.

Find out more about Cure Leukaemia and how you can get involved and support blood cancer patients across the globe: ⁠⁠https://www.cureleukaemia.co.uk/⁠