My London marathon ExtraMile videos
 

Hello all! I've not posted here in a while as I haven't had much news to share. I'm at 4.5 years post transplant with not too much to complain about, and I'm happy to report that I'm deep into training for my third post-transplant marathon (with my fourth in Berlin in September!).

I'm running London marathon in April for Anthony Nolan (the UK's bone marrow donor database charity) and they put me up for a special video project the marathon sponsors are running called Extra Mile. It's a big site gathering together inspiration from regular runners, but they're making a series of videos following four inspiring charity runners (that's me!) through to race day.

The first teaser video went up last week, and saw my blue wig in a ton of ads all over the internet!

WATCH HERE
(sorry I can't embed the videos here!)

The second video went live today, and was filmed on my moorings and I explain about my transplant and how I found out I was ill:

WATCH HERE

I'll bump this thread and post the other videos as they go live! I know funds are really tight when you're dealing with a major illness (it took us like 2 full years to dig ourselves out of my transplant-based financial hole), but if you do have any spare cash to donate to my fundraising, it'd be appreciated! http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/melissafehr

Oh, and I got the amazing news yesterday (unrelated to this stuff) that I'll be speaking at the House of Commons (!!) in ten days' time about a special Stem Cell Transplant bill! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor! So excited but so nervous too.

Awesome!!!
 

I don't know what else to say... :). You look great.!

That is so wonderful!
 

How great it is to hear such wonderful news like this. You are blessed.
I like how you are giving back to help others. Thanks for sharing your wonderful news, and praise God for your remission.:)

Mary Schmitz

Fantastic, Melissa! You've been an inspiration every step of the way!

Melissa!
You look so wonderful and healthy and beautiful! I LOVED the videos!! Thanks for sharing. You have been such an inspiration. Can you believe we are coming upon our five year birthdays? I am throwing a big bash and running in my first EVER anything...It's only a 1K but it is through Be The Match in Minneapolis on May 17th.

http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/evanslj08

Hey do you have fb? If should could you pm me your name so I can add you and keep closer tabs on you ;) I miss hearing for all of us "gang" from five years ago...well almost five years ago...it's so hard to believe how far we have come!
Laura

simply OUTSTANDING !!:cool:

Brought tears to my eyes! God bless! Loved how in a short amount of time you expressed SAA, BMT process, BMT survival and the decision process, and how your a fighter!!!!!!!!
I shared your YouTube on my FB page!
Your an inspiration girl I'm sweating a 5k for aamds foundation ~ hopes steps and a cure ~
And I'm not the one who had a transplant! Be thinking of your courage on my next run!!!!!!!!

So inspiring! God bless you.

You speak very well on camera, Melissa, and this point that you make goes in the "no truer words were ever spoken" category:

You don't understand what you take for granted until it's taken away from you.

So good to hear from you. Glad you're doing so well!!

Well done
 

Hi,

Well done Girl, you are such a great ambassador!

(PS I am Maeve @ieatcakensew on twitter)