20 Mar 2025

Emma’s run in memory of nan, Brenda

Emma Batchelor is running the London Landmarks in memory of beloved nan Brenda, who passed away last year just nine months after being diagnosed with leukaemia.  

“Nan was 76 at the time and had been fit and well for as long as I can remember,” said Emma, 22, who lives in Northamptonshire and works as a hairdresser. But on the 29th August 2023 she had an annual blood test which found a raised white blood cell count. If she hadn’t have had this routine blood test we wouldn’t have caught the leukaemia when we did. There was no signs or symptoms, everything was as normal.” 

Brenda, who also lived in Northamptonshire, had a repeat blood test that showed worsening results. She was referred to the haematology department of Northampton General Hospital September 2023. Further blood tests were taken and sent to specialists in London. Brenda was eventually diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). 

CML is a blood cancer that can take many years to progress. Around half of patients initially show no or very few vague symptoms and it is sometimes picked up in blood tests for other issues. Often people are initially put on a ‘watch and wait’ protocol with no treatment. CML can remain stable for years, but in the final phase can then progress rapidly with widespread blast involvement similar to acute leukaemia. 

“We were told there was no cure. We were all heartbroken as Nan was always so active. But even simple tasks like walking around the supermarket became difficult for her. I almost went numb to everything as we knew the outcome wasn’t going to be positive and we couldn’t do anything to change this, but we all knew that we had to be there for her as she would be feeling all of these emotions and more. It was lovely to see all of her friends and family pulling together to support her doing daily tasks when she couldn’t, it was almost like she was in a bubble that was created from everyone’s love and admiration for her. Seeing this reiterated how much of an incredible woman she was and how strong she was – a true inspiration for me as a 21-year-old.” 

Brenda was given chemotherapy to slow down the progress of the blood cancer.  

“This made her extremely tired, but she always knew how to make us laugh. She continued to have blood tests two days before each hospital appointment with the haematology department. Seeing her after each appointment was heartbreaking as I never knew what to expect, but she was always in good spirits even though she knew the future wasn’t bright. Alongside the chemo drug she had multiple blood and platelet transfusions this looked quite uncomfortable for her but she knew that it was going to make her quality of life better. She was incredible – she fought to the end and was always positive.” 

Brenda passed away on 6th May 2024 tragically after falling at home and suffering bleeds to her brain, having become weakened by her leukaemia.  

In her memory, Emma decided to run the London Landmarks to raise money for Leukaemia UK. She’s doing it with her boyfriend, MacKenzie. 

“It’s our first run, and we’re not runners! He used to play rugby and I played netball. But it was a very spur of the moment decision a week after Nan passed away – I just felt I needed something to distract myself. Leukaemia UK is the charity Dad suggested and the one I’d heard the most about, and it’s great to feel that we are contributing to leukaemia research and being a part of something for other people going through it.”