Leukaemia patient Catherine Weller has celebrated five years in remission, thanks to staff at Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital, writes Victoria Owen.

Now the 27-year-old is urging others to raise 200,000 for the Haematology Unit, where she had a vital bone marrow transplant to fight against her cancer.

Her brother, Nick, 29, is already involved, organising a team to play in a charity football tournament.

English teacher Catherine, of Church Hill Road, Cowley, had just started college when she was hit by the blood disease. Forced to put her geology course, at Cheltenham and Gloucester College, on hold, she returned to Oxford for chemotherapy.

She said: "I came out with bruises all over my body, even on the palms of my hands, and I was diagnosed with Leukaemia almost immediately.

"I didn't really understand, and it was a total shock, especially when I was told all my hair would fall out because of my treatment.

"It's incredibly scary. Especially when you're 19, with long hair and a boyfriend and suddenly you go to a ward full of other people who have lost their hair. That, to me, signalled that I was extremely ill."

The chemotherapy treatment halted her illness for 18 months and by the time it returned, a bone marrow donor had been found through the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.

She said: "I had the transplant and it was a complete success. My five-year anniversary was on St Patrick's Day, and that is a big land mark for me.

"I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for the haematology unit. It's like one big happy family there, making you feel at ease and everyone is wonderful." At the moment, the unit has 12 beds and sees 125 day patients every week, suffering from a range of conditions, including myeloma and Hodgkin's disease.

The day clinic will soon be relocated, making room for three more transplant beds and a special relative room.

Senior nurse Linda Bywater said: "The basic costs of the scheme will be met by the NHS, but we want to go beyond the basics and provide the best and most up-to-date equipment and comforts for patients who may spend weeks in isolation beds.

"The relative room is very important. Patients who are critically unwell need space with their family to talk things through and at the moment there's very little room for this."

The football tournament, at Blackbird Leys Sports Centre on Friday, will help kick off the fundraising and has been organised by Oxford United.

First team coach Mickey Lewis, assistant coach Les Taylor, and former player Les Phillips will be leading one of the sixteen teams at the event.

Anyone willing to organise other events can contact funds coordinator Susan Brunskill on 01865 220338.

Story date: Wednesday 12 April

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