For Joe and Sarah Somerwill, celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary was more poignant than for most.
Because for the couple from Exeter, it was a reminder that while their wedding day was full of joy, at that time Joe was going through treatment for blood cancer.
Joe, 32, is a computer-aided design technician and Sarah, 31, is based in the cytology lab at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
In 2018, Joe was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), affecting his blood and his bone marrow.
He’d been suffering from what seemed to be a bad cold, accompanied by extreme lethargy. The GP prescribed antibiotics, but when Joe collapsed three days later, he ended up in A&E, ultimately being diagnosed with ALL.
Thanks to the dedicated work of his medical team on Yarty ward at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Joe is now in good health. He is also immensely grateful for support he received from Exeter Leukaemia Fund – ELF.
“In a weird way, I was relieved to have a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan,” said Joe. “But I wasn’t in a great place, so I benefited massively from ELF’s counselling services. I spoke to one of the counsellors regularly for a month or two as well as on and off throughout my treatment. Even if we weren’t really talking about anything, just having someone else to listen really helped me through.” 
Following his diagnosis, Joe embarked on a three-year treatment plan. The first year involved intensive chemotherapy, sometimes going into hospital several times a week.
On occasion, he made use of the Chevithorne suite, funded by ELF, with kitchenette, garden, and rooms for family members. It gave him space and privacy when he was feeling at his most poorly.
Now Joe is champion of ELF and hopes to do more. “I am really appreciative of all they do, including the funding they have provided to Yarty ward. I really enjoy being involved in helping ELF. They have done so much for me.”
