Jo's inspirational journey

How a nurse’s blog about her rare cancer has encouraged 100 people to sign up as blood donors

Joanne Wareing, 44 (pictured below with husband Steve and daughter Shana), has inspired more than 100 people to donate blood since her diagnosis with the rare cancer, Burkitt lymphoma, last April.

In hospital, Jo started to blog about her treatment, ‘Jo’s Journey Kicking Ass’, giving an honest account of the highs and lows of her treatment. Soon she had over 2,500 followers.

She says: “I got so many messages from people asking what they could do [to help], and so I suggested they sign up as blood donors. I’ve had lots of blood and platelet transfusions and thought it would be brilliant if I could help recruit a few donors. 

"I wanted something good to come out of a bad situation and now over 100 people have donated. A few have also signed up to donate their stem cells.

"I got the all clear from my consultant in November, and he said to me, ‘Jo, you’re lymphoma free – go and live your life’, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

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