CLL survivor, Sandra Breene, taking on London Marathon 2026

Sandra Breene will take on the London Marathon on Sunday (April 26) with her husband Alan, and together, the pair hope to raise £25,000 for Leukaemia UK.

The 57-year-old’s world changed when a routine health check in May 2022 revealed a “dangerously high” white blood count, which led to a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

‘It came as a complete shock’

Sandra was a regular runner and led a busy life as president of consumer care at Croda – based at Cowick Hall in Snaith – and the news came as a “complete shock”.

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She said: “I had no symptoms at all.

“I had a routine BUPA health assessment provided by my employer and received a call a couple of days later to say that my white blood cell count was exceptionally high – around 80k vs the normal range of 4 to 11k.

“I was told that leukaemia could be a possibility.”  

Sandra and Alan (Image: Supplied)

Sandra was diagnosed with CLL – a type of slow-developing blood cancer, which is usually only picked up during routine blood tests – in June 2022.  

“The diagnosis was a relief,” Sandra said. “The consultant told me there were many great treatments but no cure, and that some people never needed treatment but that it was likely I would.”

Sandra, from Brough, was placed on the ‘watch and wait’ list and given blood tests every three months.

Unfortunately, the tests showed her CLL was slowly progressing, and Sandra was given chemotherapy tablets and immunotherapy administered intravenously for 48 weeks.

‘My situation is a stark reminder that many are not so fortunate’

Speaking about this, she said: “The first few weeks were intense, travelling back and forth to Leeds most days for infusions taking six to eight hours.

“I was tired but otherwise all went incredibly smoothly.

““I am lucky. The revolutionary treatments I received wouldn’t have been possible without research.

“Yet my situation is a stark reminder that many are not so fortunate.”

“The first few weeks were intense, travelling back and forth to Leeds most days for infusions taking six to eight hours” (Image: Supplied)

Sandra and Alan, 67, will join 56 runners from across the country in running for Leukaemia UK on the day.

She explained: “It is a formidable challenge, especially for us ‘non-youngsters’, but every step we take will be fuelled by our determination to make a difference.

“We are running to ensure that others facing this diagnosis have the same chance for a full life that I have been given.

“I want anyone who sponsors me for the marathon to know they are writing a hopeful chapter for the next person who hears the word ‘leukaemia’.”

Hanna Chorley, Community and Challenge Events Manager at Leukaemia UK, said: “We are so grateful to Sandra and to all of our amazing runners taking on the London Marathon for us.

“We cannot wait to cheer them on. With the help of incredible supporters like Sandra, together we can continue to fund ground-breaking research into kinder, more effective treatments for leukaemia.”

Leukaemia UK hopes its supporters’ dedicated efforts will raise around £140,000 to fund more research to stop leukaemia devastating lives.

The charity will have a cheer point for its 56 runners on the iconic Tower Bridge.

To donate to Sandra’s fundraiser, visit her JustGiving page here.