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Carol Miller, who has run the YHSG for 15 years, is stepping down as leader of the group. Carol was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2004, and had wanted to talk to someone with the same cancer, but there was no-one available at the time. She started the group so other patients could meet and talk about their diagnosis and experiences. At the meeting held in July to celebrate her amazing achievement, Carol said:

I had the pleasure and the privilege of setting up and running the York Haematology Support Group (my baby) for the last 15 years, following my diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia in 2004. I relapsed in 2006 and was offered a mini bone-marrow transplant. While I was thinking about this, I recognised I wanted to be able to speak to other patients who had been through the procedure. As no-one was available at the time this did not come to fruition, and it became my mission in life to provide this for others in the same boat.

Carol Miller and Professor Debra Howell at the Centre for Blood Research launch event

Since then, Carol has supported many people affected by blood cancer (patients, relatives, carers, friends; and people with other cancers), both at group meetings and in her own time, which has resulted in strong friendships being made.

The group has been a great success and I am proud of its achievement and the difference it has made to so many peoples’ lives. The friendship, happiness and joy it has brought to me has meant so much, but the time is right for me to pass the baton on to the very capable hands of Debs, Libby, Helen and Ross and I am looking forward to attending their relaunch in September. I wish you all the very best of wishes and success for the group in the future

Over the years, Carol has signposted people to various organisations for support. She has organized trips (e.g., to diagnostic laboratories and the Francis Crick Institute), and found speakers for meetings, including staff from York Hospital Haematology Department, who have always supported the group. Carol has been a tireless advocate for people affected by blood cancer and can be seen on Websites, in News and Events pages, Newsletters (V2), Newspapers, and on the TV.

Carol and the group have worked alongside the Epidemiology & Cancer Statistics Group and the Centre for Blood Research at the University of York for many years and have undoubtedly improved our research. Carol has always enabled Patient and Public Involvement, arranging for staff and students to talk to patients and families at the YHSG, to make sure our research is relevant. She has written Letters of Support on behalf of the group and advised on numerous Steering Committees. We are hugely grateful for her input and leadership.

After 15 years, the YHSG is still going strong, with around 30 people meeting monthly at Huntington Working Men’s Club, 1 North Moor Road, Huntington, York, YO32 9QS. For more information email Debra Howell: debra.howell@york.ac.uk or enquiries@yhhn.org or call Freephone: 0800 3280655. You will always receive a warm welcome!