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Leukaemia patient turned nurse ready for cycling challenge

Brooke in the jersey for Day 2 of the London to Paris ride

23-year-old haematology nurse, beginner cyclist and former leukaemia patient Brooke Evans from Droitwich is ready to cycle Cure Leukaemia’s 300-mile London to Paris (L2P) bike ride which begins at 8am today.

Six years ago, Brooke was battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Thanks to treatment made available through funds raised for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia, Brooke went into remission and resumed her education with a view to becoming a registered nurse. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Worcester and later in the year started treating blood cancer patients on the same floor of the hospital she herself was treated six years ago.

Since 2014, Brooke has been a great supporter of the charity that helped save her life, regularly helping promote the work of Cure Leukaemia and raising vital funds. This year, Brooke wanted a new challenge and cycled the 42-mile route of the Velo Birmingham & Midlands, which fittingly took place on International Nurses Day (May 12th). Now, also fittingly, in Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Brooke will set off for Paris from Greenwich Park alongside 100 cyclists raising funds for Cure Leukaemia this week.

The only issue earlier this year was that she did not have a bike to take on these challenges! Thankfully Ribble Cycles, Cure Leukaemia’s bike partner for the L2P event, generously donated her a bike to take part in both cycling events this year.

Brooke said: “I really enjoyed the Velo Birmingham & Midlands and I am so excited to be cycling to Paris tomorrow, especially in Blood Cancer Awareness Month. I am so lucky Ribble gave me this fantastic bike, it has really boosted my confidence on the road.

“Being days away from taking part in an event like this makes me realise how far I have come since 2013 when I didn’t know what the future held for me. Now I am not only able to give back through my job by treating patients every day but also raise vital funds from events like this to help others and I hope that my story can inspire others to give cycling a try.

“Whilst I’m excited about the cycling it is my fundraising which is most important to me and I would love to surpass my £10,000 target. I know, personally, how important every penny raised for this charity can be and I would urge people to give what they can to help patients in the same position I was six years ago.”

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Brooke’s story has been beautifully captured in a film made by the University of Worcester which was screened in cinemas across the Midlands and West Country during the Easter holidays.

She said: “It was very strange to see myself on the big screen when I went to see Dumbo earlier in the year! I just hope it raises awareness of this horrible disease and at the same time gives people reassurance that you can beat it and achieve great things.”

To sponsor Brooke go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brooke-evans6.

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