Merseyside Against Blood Cancers

Merseyside Against Blood Cancers (formerly known as The Bloom Appeal) was established in 2014 by healthcare professionals, scientists, patients and carers. We are dedicated to helping patients through treatments as well as investing in facilities and research.

We support the care and well-being of patients with blood cancers. We fund and invest in scientific research into treating and curing leukaemias, lymphomas and other blood cancers. Together we make a difference for blood cancer patients in the Merseyside and surrounding areas.

Our Work

Helping People with Blood Cancers

There are at least 60 different types of blood cancers, which can affect the young and old. Every year approximately 1,250 people in the Region will be diagnosed with a blood cancer – leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, etc.

Although some are cured, a large majority have to live with the disease and its consequences. It is these people that require our help and support.

Here in Merseyside we have:

World-class facilities that provide the best and most up-to-date treatment and care.
An internationally renowned program of research including clinical trials.
A vibrant patient support group and network.

We use your donations in a variety of ways that ranges from supporting research, funding training, assisting individuals and purchasing equipment.

Below, are some examples of how we have used donations recently.

Improving Hospital Facilities

Most recently, Merseyside Against Blood Cancer, in partnership with Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Charity has a joint goal of raising £100,000 to establish the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Centre in the new Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital in the city centre. Our aim is to provide a space dedicated for youngsters to receive their cancer treatment but with access and facilities to the services they need and with space to chill out and socialise with people their own age.

Healthcare Equipment

In addition to big goals we constantly strive to help blood cancer patients in Merseyside. Recently we have bought items to help patients on the wards, fridges, heaters and fans. The hospital and University labs have also benefitted from new equipment; qPCR machines, gel imaging systems and bioanalysers. We have sponsored nurses, doctors and researchers to continue their professional development, both nationally and internationally. Christmas is always a busy time as we provide patients with personal extra help and in the new year we look forward to hosting our annual patient-physician forum where patients can ask the consultants and researchers about what’s new in blood cancer.

Patient Support

Dean Wilson is a patient.

“The assistance from Merseyside Against Blood Cancer came at the most demanding stage of my treatment, it enabled us to focus on the treatment and allowed us some breathing space financially.

I especially appreciated that you sent help without an overly complicated application processes or delay.”

Healthcare Training

Julie Grant is a Haemato-Oncology Nurse Clinician.

“I am extremely grateful to Merseyside Against Blood Cancer for providing me with a grant to enable me to undertake a module in advancing healthcare practice. This will go towards my Advanced Healthcare Practice MSc. The financial support they provide to nursing and healthcare education is invaluable. The application process was quick and easy to do. I would highly recommend Merseyside Against Blood Cancer to any healthcare professional wishing for a little help with their studies.”

Jemma's Story

Real People, Real Life

In 2015 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. My symptoms (intense itching and a small amount of weight loss) had been going on for about a year until I developed shingles.

I was referred to a Dermatologist who requested a CT scan. The CT scan showed some abnormal lymph nodes in my chest and these where investigated by two biopsies. The results confirmed the diagnosis.

Before I started my treatment, I underwent egg harvesting at the Women’s Hospital, and then I had chemotherapy (ABVD) followed by radiotherapy to my chest. Since my diagnosis and treatment, my family and friends have supported Merseyside Against Blood Cancer with fundraising activities. My husband Paul and his work colleagues have undertaken 'The Ten Peak Challenge' in The Lake District where they climbed ten peaks in under 14 hours and a very close friend, also called Paul, competed in the ‘Tough Warrior’ assault course.

We are very aware of the excellent work the charity does for patients and health professionals and scientists trying to beat blood cancers.

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Robina's Story

Real People, Real Life

I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in December 2011. Since my diagnosis I have been on the ‘watch and wait’ list. This means that I attend clinic every six months where my blood is checked, and I have an examination. At the moment I am not having any treatment.

Prior to my diagnosis I had been ill for several years with blood transfusions every three months and monthly iron infusions. I had been passed from department to department until I arrived at the haematology department where a bone marrow test revealed the diagnosis.

The Doctor discussed my other health issues and referred me, in partnership with my GP to Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital for major surgery which has given me a whole new lease of life.

My CLL diagnosis was a relief as I now knew I was not just making things up. The support and treatment has been second to none and I feel I owe the team my life. I have met some wonderful people and have made fantastic friends.

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We are delighted to have Roger Phillips as a Patron.

Roger, who was born in Manchester, arrived in Liverpool as an actor in the early 70s to join the Everyman Theatre – and fell in love with the city. He subsequently worked as a cab driver, before moving into local radio at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1978, where he presented a daily phone-in programme until 2020.

And our latest edition, we are honoured that Lady Anne Dodd has also joined MABC as a Patron.

Lady Anne Dodd spent 40 years organising Ken Dodd theatre engagements and being a support musical act in his ‘Happiness’ shows. She is the Senior Trustee of the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation and awarded Citizen of Honour by Liverpool City Council for her charitable work. Since Ken’s passing, the Foundation has made a considerable amount of donations and to more than 30 charities in the Northwest alone.

Photographer: Paul Cooper

Our Trustees and Team

Ensuring We Meet Our Aims

Abila has an academic background in Psychology, Sociology and Management Studies. She gained her MA in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Liverpool, and her Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from Liverpool John Moores University. Earlier qualifications, including an MA in Psychology, were acquired in Pakistan.

Abila is now retired, but her working career included employment with Liverpool Careers Service and Nacro (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders). She has also worked at a national level with a number of criminal justice agencies on the race and diversity agenda.

Abila was awarded her MBE for her community relations work in Liverpool and Manchester Prisons.

She was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2010 and was High Sheriff for the County of Merseyside for 2014-15.

Abila was also a member of University of Liverpool Council from 2011 to 2019.

He has been involved in fundraising in Liverpool for leukaemia causes since 1985. He set up and was chairman of the successful Haemanthus Fund throughout its existence. The fund sponsored a number of Phd research students in haematology projects at the University of Liverpool over many years.

As a volunteer, Frank has now completed 38 years of continued fundraising for the blood cancer cause. He has raised funds for patients and staff at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, and the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool. He has also raised funds for research and treatments at the University of Liverpool.

Emily moved to Liverpool in 1998 to study and never left.

Emily joined the team in 2015 after fundraising for Merseyside Against Blood Cancer when her husband was diagnosed with leukaemia.

She is a mum of three and is an active member of Liverpool Cricket Club Women’s team where she gained her coaching qualification and coaches a girls cricket team.

She’s also a Racing Medical Officer at Aintree and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourses.

She completed her initial Psychology degree at The University of Liverpool and then went on to do a MSc in Educational Psychology at the University of Manchester. During her early career she worked for Mencap Homes Foundation and was involved in supporting people with learning difficulties move out of long stay hospitals into small group homes back in their local communities in Liverpool.

She then trained as a primary school teacher and after 6 years went back to university to obtain her professional qualification in Educational Psychology – something she always wanted to do from the age of 14.

Elaine was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a blood cancer) in January 2021. Since then she now works part-time as a Psychologist.

Elaine is also co-founder with her husband, Peter Kinsella of Lunya and Lunyalita – two Catalan restaurants in Liverpool. The restaurants continue to raise money for Merseyside Against Blood Cancers through their pound on the bill scheme. With the support of their loyal customers, they have managed to raise over £50,000 for our charity and much more if you include other local and national blood cancer charities.

Having carried out her training in the East Midlands Region, Priya returned to Merseyside and Cheshire, completing her GP training in 2016. She now works in the local area as a GP.

Priya recently joined Merseyside Against Blood Cancer board of Trustees in January 2020.

Michaela has enjoyed a successful and high level career spanning over 30 years in marketing, relationship development and fundraising. For the last 6 years she has worked for the University of Liverpool and is part of the leadership team that looks to engage with its wide range of stakeholders on a local, national and international level. Her work is focused on two key objectives – to generate income to support the University’s strategic objectives and to build a connected, global community who contribute to the life of the University and its success for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community.

She has worked for a broad range of organisations from global giants such as Sony and Electronic Arts through to a Liverpool based marketing agency working with public and private sector clients in the lead up to the Capital of Culture before moving into the education sector where she was Marketing & Development Director for Merchant Taylors’ Schools in Crosby. Whilst Michaela is originally from Portsmouth, having lived much of her life ‘up north’, she has become an adopted scouser and is passionate at raising the profile of the Liverpool City Region on a local, national and global scale.

Michaela was delighted to be invited to become a Trustee of Merseyside Against Blood Cancers and looks forward to the opportunity to give something back by supporting such an important charitable organisation within the Liverpool community.

I feel privileged to have been asked to get involved with Merseyside Against Blood Cancer.

Such a very important charity – a cause dear to my heart after a family brush with blood cancer.

An exciting time for research and for the opportunity to be able to help smooth the path for those undergoing treatment.

Lucy is a freelance bookkeeper based in Merseyside, working with a range of SMEs and charities nationwide.

Jess has worked as a Lymphoma Clinical Nurse specialist in the The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust for the past 5 years

Elkan is a solicitor based in Liverpool specialising in major inquests and inquiries.

He is a Director of Hillsborough Law now, a group campaigning for a duty of candour in public life. He is currently a non-executive Director of Clatterbridge Cancer hospital and an adviser to Liverpool University dept. of Law and Social Justice. He was awarded freedom of the city of Liverpool in 2024.

He is a former trustee of the Bloom Appeal ( now MABC) and helped found it after being treated successfully for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

More info coming soon!

Amara joined Merseyside Against Blood Cancers in 2024 to help with admin tasks. However, her specialties lie in the creative field.

Originally from Liverpool, Amara has a background in theatre and worked for a film production company for four years. She now lives in London and freelances as a Videographer, Video Editor and Content Producer.

Amara often works with not-for-profits to produce branded content to help promote and engage charity audiences and funders. Her recent work includes; producing and writing content for New Horizons Youth Homelessness Campaign and working with Young Urban Arts Foundation to create content that highlights the organisations impact on young people.

Other credits include Behind the Scenes videography and editing for BBC’s Call the Midwife social media. Also, videography and editing for Bankside Open Spaces Trust and producing and directing a short film with Pimlico residents based on the themes of loneliness and isolation for housing association Peabody.

Sophie worked with Merseyside Against Blood Cancers as a fundraiser on a part time basis in 2021 and excitingly has returned to our charity once more! She started in the trade in 2009, when she was a Street Fundraiser for UNICEF. Since then, she has gained experience in all areas of fundraising and has a particular interest in research.

In the last few years, she has specialised in trust and foundations fundraising and major donor cultivation. She aims to add value to Merseyside Against Blood Cancer and to build relationships with local funders.

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