A JERSEY woman who battled leukaemia is preparing to take on a major running challenge to give back to the charity that supported her through her illness.
Emma-Louise Burns, who works at Jersey Employment Trust, will run the London Landmarks Half Marathon this weekend in aid of Blood Cancer UK, having already raised more than £850 – well over her original £500 target.
She was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2022, a moment she describes as unforgettable.
“Hearing the words ‘we think you have leukaemia’ is something I will never forget,” she said.
During her treatment, Ms Burns faced serious complications, including a stroke, pneumonia and severe internal bleeding behind her eyes that temporarily left her almost blind.
She spent over six weeks in isolation at Bournemouth Hospital, where, due to a weakened immune system, she was not allowed to open a window or see many people, and had to follow a strict neutropenic diet.
Ms Burns said: “My eyes were bleeding internally and I looked like something out of Halloween as all the white of my eyes were red.
“I temporarily lost the majority of my vision because of the internal bleeding behind my eyes.”
Despite this, she says she feels fortunate that her body was strong enough to endure chemotherapy.
During her treatment, Ms Burns said she found small comforts in the world outside her hospital window.
“As I lay for weeks in hospital, I could see the pigeons coming and going on the roof opposite the hospital, and I was grateful to watch them and the cloud formations in the sky.
“Every day it was important to me to be grateful for what I could see – because I was very lucky to have been diagnosed with the most curable form of leukaemia,” she explained.
Gratitude, along with visualisations and meditation, became part of her daily routine to get her through a six-week separation from her daughter Amia.
Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, information and support from Blood Cancer UK played a vital role.
Ms Burns said: “I vividly remember reading and re-reading the helpful booklets they provided.
“They helped me during some of my darkest days.”
Now, she is determined to give back to the charity that helped her and “challenge herself” to complete the half-marathon.
Taking on the 13.1-mile route through the streets of London marks a significant milestone in her recovery, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for others facing blood cancer.
The funds raised will help ensure that others receive vital information and assistance at the point when they need it most.
She said: “I consider myself lucky and today I am grateful to be in remission.
“This is my chance to give something back.”
You can donate to Emma’s fundraiser via her justgiving page here.
