Katie Campling worked with Adrian Sudbury to set up the Register & be a lifesaver campaign to education young people about the huge importance of blood, organ and blood stem cell donation. After Adrian sadly died in October 2008, Katie continues to work on the campaign at Anthony Nolan, which has now been seen by over 40,000 young people. On Sunday Katie carried the Olympic torch, nominated for her continued work and dedication to the project, here she writes about her day.
‘A FEW months ago, when I received an email to tell me I had been chosen as one of 8,000 people to carry the Olympic flame on its journey round the UK ahead of the 2012 Games, I couldn't believe it.
However, at 6am this morning when I woke up ready to go to Bedford Athletics Stadium to meet my fellow Torchbearers, the reality hit me and I started to get nervous.
Meeting the other torchbearers who were carrying the flame in Bedford with me yesterday (July 8) made me realise that there are so many inspirational people out there - people I felt were definitely more worthy than me to have the honour.
I felt lucky to share the day with them but, most of all, I felt honoured to be acting as a representative of so many amazing volunteers and staff at Anthony Nolan and its education programme, Register & Be A Lifesaver. R&Be trains volunteer speakers to give presentations educating 16-18 year olds about stem cell, blood and organ donation and this fantastic programme, which has reached 60,000 students so far, is the reason I was getting to carry the flame.
It was back in 2008 when my good friend Adrian Sudbury was told his leukaemia was terminal that he decided to campaign for education about donation, to encourage more people to register as donors. I helped him and together, our efforts paid off and the Government gave funding for R&Be, which Anthony Nolan has continued and now runs.
I now work as programme coordinator for R&Be and, to thank our volunteers for their hard work, I had decided to nominate them to carry the flame. Little did I know, but my boss had decided to enter me too for my original work on the campaign.
I was stunned when I found out I had been chosen as one of the Torchbearers. I told our volunteers that I would be running to represent every one of them and, of course, Adrian who is no longer with us but who continues to inspire us every day.
Despite the rain yesterday, the crowds were unbelievable and all us Torchbearers were amazed at people's excitement to see the torch relay. From stepping out of the bus to take my spot in the relay, to seeing my friends, family and colleagues as I handed on the flame to the next Torchbearer, I was overwhelmed by the cheers and support. The atmosphere was incredible.
For a whole 300m, I was the only person in the world carrying the Olympic flame. It was an experience I'll never forget.’
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