When Chris Farr noticed he was bruising easily and feeling tired, never did he think he'd soon be diagnosed with cancer.
The Lisburn businessman went to his doctor after some persuasion from his wife and family where they were given relief by the report that his blood tests did not look like the markers for Leukaemia.
On Christmas Eve, the family were given the devastating news that Chris' bone marrow results showed he had Acute Leukaemia of Ambiguous Lineage (T/Myeloid), an extremely rare form that only five people in the world have had, currently with no cure.
Read more: Belfast parents' heartache after toddler contracts hepatitis
Chris began his chemotherapy treatment on Christmas Day, alone in hospital as Covid-19 restrictions prohibited any visitors - he named his chemo machine Rosco after a childhood pet, a dog that was usually good but could have a nasty bite.
The first set of chemotherapy did not work, and a second more intense set pushed things in the right direction with a third even more intense round miraculously pushing Chris in to remission.
He is currently waiting to go to London for a bone marrow and stem cell transplant and wanted to speak out to encourage awareness amongst others.
"If you don’t feel 100% please go and get checked out," he said.
"Early detection is what has given me a fighting chance. There are 99 people diagnosed with blood cancer every month here in Northern Ireland. Currently three out of four people survive thanks to the scientists based here in Belfast funded by Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI so there is still work to be done.
“The only way to cure his disease is to support the experts doing the research and funding is the only way they can continue to do this."
Chris' case has been researched by top haematologists and it is due to the type of research that Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI provides that has been so important in his case. Wanting to give something back to the research that has helped Chris, on May 21 his mum Barbara arranged a drop in tea party, initially in her garden but moved to the local church hall as the event got bigger.
With the help of family and friends Barbara’s “big red tea party” raised over £10 000 for vital research for Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI.
Chris added: "Our family are overwhelmed by the support my mum got with her “big red tea party” – raising over £10 000 for this vital research and we thank everyone that donated or helped us.
"I also want to thank all of the staff in haematology ward 10 at the City Hospital for the incredible work they do. This journey has been all the more difficult with Covid restrictions which means I couldn’t see friends or family for the long periods of time spent in hospital. The staff not only looked after my medical needs but kept my spirits up when things were tough. Whilst they don’t do this for recognition, they deserve to be recognised for going above and beyond for every patient every day."
Richard Buchanan, chair of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI, said: "All at the charity were really delighted to hear that Chris' treatment is going well. £10,000 is a truly amazing amount of money to raise, and helps us keep on funding top quality and high impact blood cancer research at the Patrick G Johnson Centre for Cancer Research in Belfast.
"It is a difficult time for all charities, but donations like this ensure we get ever closer to doing away with these horrible cancers, many of which would have been fatal a generation ago. So, a heartfelt thank you from us all, including the scientists."
All funds donated to Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI remain in Northern Ireland to support their many projects here and fund laboratory based research, clinical support and education.
If anyone wishes to donate to Barbara’s fundraiser for the charity you can donate to the JustGiving page by clicking here or to read more on the charity, please follow here.
Read more: NI hepatitis cases being investigated as experts can't find source
Read more: Belfast footballer issues Kinder warning after young son floored by salmonella
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
