Bikers battle blood cancer at second Bone-Shaker Marrow-thon
Over 200 bikers roared from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to the National Brewery Centre in Burton via the Queen’s Hospital in Burton on Sunday, in a battle against blood cancers.
The BONE-shaker MARROW-thon was organised for a second year by Steve Sinfield, whose wife Katherine is being treated at QEHB for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. This year Katherine was able to take part in the ride thanks to the loan of a special Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide bike, and was even joined by a special guest of the four-legged kind , as biker dog Marlow took to the streets to help battle blood cancers.
The couple, who live in Burton-upon-Trent, planned the ride to raise awareness of the disease as well as funds for research. They are also keen to encourage more people to become bone marrow donors.
Katherine said: “We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in our charity ride on Sunday. We had a brilliant day and it was fantastic to join the ride this year.”
Steve added: “It was a great day and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone for their support. Over 200 bikers took part in the fundraising ride and we are so pleased with that number.
“We do not know how much we raised yet but we hope to have a figure by the end of the week. I would like to thank everyone who helped us organise the ride, we could not have done it without them.”
Whilst planning the event last year, Katherine’s leukaemia thankfully went into remission. She said: “I’m still a regular visitor to the hospital and this will continue for years as Boneshaker with QE banner - to useleukaemia can be a tricky customer.
“The first two years following a transplant are important, as statistics show that if the leukaemia is going to return at any time, it is most likely to happen within the first two years.
“Once I reach the five-year remission milestone, it’s fairly safe to say that I am fully cured.”
The news came 100 days after Katherine had a bone marrow transplant from a German donor in a bid to beat her disease.
Laura Power, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “It was great to see Steve, Katherine and all the bikers who took part in the ride on Sunday.
“The event was another huge success with a fantastic atmosphere.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time out to help patients battling blood cancers for their continued support.
“Roll on next year!”
To make a donation to support patients with leukaemia please click on the ‘donate’ button or contact 0121 371 4852.
