When Alice needed a stem cell transplant earlier this year, her sisters Emma and Kate stepped in. Incredibly, both of them were a match for Alice and in May she received Kate’s stem cells. Alice’s recovery has been going well – she's back at work, planning her wedding and looking forward to Christmas with her sisters and the rest of their family. In this blog, they reflect on the past year and how it's brought them closer together.
Alice: When I learned that both of my sisters were matches, it just felt right. We’ve always been so close, and knowing they were both a perfect fit somehow strengthened my belief that the transplant would work. Having not just one, but two sisters who were willing to donate their stem cells—and who dropped everything to stand by me through chemotherapy and the transplant—gave me a kind of strength I didn’t know I had. Their support reminded me to find small moments of joy even on the hardest days. Although the stem cells came from Kate, I truly feel that both of my sisters saved my life.
Kate: When I heard the news that Alice was in remission, it was incredibly emotional. The physical side effects of cancer are visible but I think what is less thought about is the mental burden, especially when waiting for test results. There wouldn’t be a day where we all wouldn’t be thinking what the bone marrow result could be and until you get that, there’s this heavy weight every morning wondering if you could get news that will explode your life again. Emma and I were both beyond grateful to learn that we were full matches and then to hear that the stem cell transplant has worked is nothing short of magical. We are aware that not everyone has a match which is why I am running the London Marathon for Anthony Nolan. I did feel a big responsibility in the lead up to donating my stem cells (I was reading articles on what could affect my stem cells and trying to keep as healthy as possible) so hearing the news that the transplant had worked was such a relief. In truth, it was all Alice and the doctors who have got her to this position, and I am so proud and grateful.
What this year has taught us
Alice: I've learned to appreciate the little things in life. You don’t realise how much joy there is in the everyday moments until you’re faced with the possibility of losing them. Whether it’s walking down Oxford Street with friends to admire the Christmas lights or giving up your seat for someone on the tube, I’m trying to pass on those small moments of joy, because I now understand how important they are and how deeply they connect us as humans. My husband and I often find ourselves laughing when we talk about something as simple as what to have for dinner, because just six months ago our conversations were centred around whether the transplant would work. Those small, ordinary moments feel extraordinary now, and they remind us just how far we’ve come.
Kate: I have learned that as a family, we are extremely resilient and try to make the best of even the worst situations. I remember the day that we found out Alice had relapsed and of course, it was incredibly devastating and scary but within hours, we were sat round the kitchen table in hysterics trying to split a chocolate wrapper by karate chopping it. We are not ones to “wallow in self-pity” (as the grinch would say) and try to tackle everything that life throws at us. I would say we all have a zest for life and try to stay positive and also have fun even in the darkest moments. As for Alice, I have learned that there is no obstacle that she cannot overcome. She is a complete inspiration. There was not one moment where I heard her complain and she took absolutely everything in her stride. I will always be protective of as her my little sister and she should be extremely proud of herself for how she has handled her diagnosis with strength and optimism. We have also learnt that people show up for you in ways you never knew you needed and we will always be grateful for our family and friends for supporting us through the past 18 months.
Looking forward to Christmas together
Family time is hugely important to us and we will all be spending Christmas together as a family. We do our annual jolabokaflod which is an Icelandic tradition where you exchange books on Christmas Eve and will be doing our annual Christmas Day swim - some are braver than others but we all wear our Christmas hats! We are also hoping to do a couple of runs as we need to kickstart our marathon training and will hopefully be fuelled by lots of Christmas chocolate… Otherwise, we will just enjoy being together which will probably involve playing a lot of board games and dog walks.
We are most looking forward to just being together as a family. We are super close and as anyone who knows us as sisters, we love nothing more than just being silly together. We still have our annual Christmas sleepover with matching PJs even though we are probably way too old for that now…
What we're excited for next year
We will be running the London Marathon in April. Kate will be running with Alice’s husband for Anthony Nolan and Alice will be running for Leukaemia UK after she had to defer her place because of her relapse. We’re also hoping to go hiking in the Dolomites as sisters. Alice and Hayden are finally having the big wedding that they had to cancel because she was in hospital! Alice has been back to work since August (only 2 months post stem cell transplant) and is on her second rotation of her GP training. She’s also renovating her first home with her husband, so it is all systems go!
Feeling grateful
Kate: There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not grateful for Alice being here. I am not blind to the fact that this year could have been a lot different and I am extremely grateful to Alice’s doctors and nurses that we are in the position we are in now, with Alice having had a successful stem cell transplant.
Alice: I am beyond grateful everyday for my family. Without their endless support, I wouldn’t be back to normal life. They all kept me strong during my treatment and recovery, and I know they also made sacrifices which I will forever be thankful for. I am also incredibly grateful to my medical team and the ongoing research into leukaemia that made my stem cell transplant successful.
Emma: It’s been a bit of a crazy year but also a year that has brought us closer than ever as a family and as sisters. I am so proud of Kate and Ali for their stem cell journey and a huge thank you to Anthony Nolan for raising the awareness that helps thousands of people like Alice.