Delighted to say that I’ve officially raised over £10,000 for Leukaemia Care in celebration of reaching 10 years since my diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2008.
I decided on a £10,000 goal because I was marking 10 years since diagnosis. I came up with a variety of ideas to raise the total including a gig at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, a sponsored 10-mile walk, an eBay auction for signed Big Finish scripts, a number of non-uniform events at schools and much more. You can see everything I got up to by searching #Kris10 on most social media platforms.
I’ve smashed the target, raising an amazing £11,284.73 – and that’s without adding the Gift Aid, a conservative estimate would be nearer £13,500.
The funds will go a long way to helping us ensure we can be there for anyone affected by a blood cancer diagnosis.
A HUGE thanks to everyone who played a part in my #Kris10 year, it was hard work but really worth it. Thank you. Kris
I suppose that I should have written this before I hit the target but it felt a little presumptuous.
I now struggle to find the words to convey the joy and relief I feel in hitting the £10,000 #Kris10 target for Leukaemia Care this morning. Thank you is a good start.
It’s taken nearly 11 months and it’s been really, really difficult. The walk and the recent Big Finish auction pushed us hard towards the line but there have been plenty of moment where I felt that I’d bitten off more than I can chew. It’s hard not to take things personally especially when the cause is something so personal. I’ve developed some thicker skin and a newfound appreciation for professional fundraisers. In fact, I just don’t know how they do it, it’s an incredible skill.
Nearly 11 years ago I was diagnosed with leukaemia but you know that story. The story now is about supporting people who are diagnosed with a blood cancer today, tomorrow, next week… Treatment options are improving and we’re making inroads into earlier diagnosis. There is a huge psychological impact on the patient after diagnosis and the emotional impact leaves lots of damage. Leukaemia Care do an incredible job supporting patients and families with the seismic shift a diagnosis brings and this money will make a difference.
Is there a better Christmas gift? We’ll save lives with this and given that you are reading this you are likely to have been part of this story and I genuinely can’t thank you enough for your support.
There’s always a long way to go; work like this will never end and our relentless commitment to making people’s lives better is worth it.
So, take the baton, run a marathon, jump out of a plane, fly down a zip wire or sit in a bath of beans. Go and write your own story. I’m done for now. It’s nap time. Happy Christmas.
The fundraising walk now has a new date, time and place. After the weather postponement of the canal walk, we’ve decided to change the route so we’ve got better facilities at the beginning, during and end of the walk.
It’s £10 to register, happy to collect this on the day but it would be useful to give me an indication if you are coming so we can keep an eye on numbers. If you fancy collecting some sponsorship too, I have some forms.
We’re now starting in Droitwich and it’s on the 25th November at 1000. We’re within £37 of £5,000 so we’re a slither away from touching halfway towards the £10,000 target.
Hope that you can come along and walk with me. Thanks, Kris
We’ve dropped the price of the tickets to £5 and I can promise an incredible evening of music at the most famous music venue in the world. It’s headlined by local band The Ambition who are currently being championed by the BBC. The lineup now includes the amazing Rachael Hawnt who was a semi-finalist on the BBC TV show All Together Now.
Championed by BBC Introducing in Merseyside, The Ambition have been announced as the headline act for a Cavern Club fundraiser that is set to raise thousands for a national blood cancer charity.
The band won ITV’s This Morning’s best unsigned artist competition in 2016 and have been lauded by celebrities such as Philip Schofield and more recently, their latest single ‘Thirty Thousand Feet’ grabbed the attention of Warner Music who have added them to their Topsify playlists.
Kris was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a form of blood cancer, at the age of 32.
Kris said, “After visiting my GP with symptoms such as night sweats and pain in my hip, a blood test went on to reveal a leukaemia diagnosis which had me asking the question, ‘Am I going to die?’
“When you’re told you have a leukaemia, or a blood cancer, or some other terrible disease, you never forget what being told feels like. There’s a ringing in the ears, everything just drains out of you. You just feel like you’ve been punched, really hard, but you feel no pain.
“Now ten years on, I’m a marketing expert, blood cancer charity trustee and a passionate campaigner working with fellow leukaemia patients across the world seeking access to treatment. I’m also a seasoned public speaker, I recently spoke at a training day for 40 West Midlands GPs to help them understand what a blood cancer diagnosis feels like from a patient perspective.”
The Cavern Club have kindly gifted the venue to Kris to help him reach his £10,000 fundraising goal. The gig is part of a year-long #Kris10 campaign.
Kris said, “As a huge fan of The Beatles, I was delighted when the Cavern agreed to let me use their venue for the night. I’m absolutely chuffed that another Liverpool band have agreed to headline the event – The Ambition are a band to watch out for.”
Kris’ gig is also being supported by vocal coach CeCe Sammy through her programme, The Power of Muzik. Artists from The Power of Muzik will form the rest of the bill which will be announced at a later date.
The Ambition are a Liverpool based pop group, they are inspired by acts such as The Vamps, The 1975, The Weeknd and Coldplay to name a few. Their debut single “THIRTY THOUSAND FEET” dropped on 31st August 2018 and has been well received. They have been invited into BBC Introducing 20th October 2018 to perform their new single live and to chat about their record.
Leukaemia Care is a national blood cancer support charity. They are dedicated to ensuring that anyone affected by blood cancer receives the right information, advice and support.
It’s two weeks until the walk. We’re approaching 30 sign-ups for the day with more promises to come through. If each individual/family is able to raise £100 in sponsorship then we could raise nearly £2,000 toward the £10,000 total.
Easier said than done, right? Look, this fundraising lark is much more difficult than I could ever have imagined. Seriously, it’s caused sleepless nights. But it was never meant to be easy. £100 raised in sponsorship, £50, £25, whatever, is money that we have to work hard at. We have to ask friends, colleagues, family and tap into your networks. Without your support, we won’t ever hit that big target.
I’ve been living with leukaemia for 10 years and I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve been through things that have been tough both mentally and physically. What I’ve learnt is that there are brilliant people out there diagnosing, treating and supporting people with the devastating diagnosis of a blood cancer. The money raised will be going right back into the system and ensure that we are even better at diagnosing and supporting.
I know it’s a pain and I recognise that asking for a charitable donation or sponsorship is completely awkward. There are 650 people diagnosed every year with my leukaemia (CML). Blood cancer is the third biggest cancer killer behind lung and bowel cancer. That moment of awkwardness could potentially save a life. That’s why I’m writing this and gritting my teeth through the awkwardness.
A picturesque canal walk set to raise funds for a Kidderminster man’s year of fundraising is looking for people of all ages to take part.
Kris Griffin is taking on a year of fundraising in celebration of reaching his 10-year anniversary since being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). All proceeds raised will be donated to Leukaemia Care, a national charity based in Worcester who support anyone affected by a blood cancer diagnosis.
The canal walk has been organised by Kris’ wife, Kelly Griffin, and will start and end at the Anchor Inn Pub on the Diglis Docks, with walkers following the 10-mile scenic route towards Droitwich and back again.
Kris said, “What can be better than a brisk 10-mile walk around the waterways of Worcestershire on a Sunday afternoon? The money we are raising is going to save lives and I’m sure we’ll have a blast doing it.
“The support that we’ve received so far has been really encouraging but we need more walkers, so dust off those walking shoes and join us.”
So far, Kris has raised over £4,000 of his £10,000 target, and with the walk coinciding with September’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month, he hopes to get ever closer to his goal whilst raising awareness of leukaemia. For the past two years, the charity has marked Blood Cancer Awareness Month with a month long #SpotLeukaemia campaign to highlight the signs and symptoms of leukaemia.
The walk will take place on Sunday 23rd September at 11am. Anyone wishing to take part in the walk can request a sponsorship form from Leukaemia Care by calling 01905 755 977 or emailing fundraising@leukaemiacare.org.uk.
Kris Griffin is taking on a year of fundraising in celebration of reaching his 10-year anniversary since being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). All proceeds raised will be donated to Leukaemia Care, a national charity based in Worcester who supports anyone affected by a blood cancer diagnosis.
Kris said, “As well as being a huge cricket supporter, my son Luca plays at the club, so I’m delighted that Kidderminster Cricket Club is supporting my campaign to raise £10,000 for Leukaemia Care.
“The support I’ve received from people across Wyre Forest has been incredible and I know that this will be a great night of music that everyone will enjoy.
“There’s a long way to go to reach that magic £10k mark but we’ve started strong; every penny will make a difference and save lives. It really is that important.”
So far, Kris has raised over £1,600 of his £10,000 target and hopes a night of music from The Lady and the Sax will help him on his way to his ambitious target. The funds raised from tickets sales will be split 50/50 between Leukaemia Care and Kidderminster Cricket Club Juniors.
The event will take place on Friday 29th June and starts at 8:30pm. Tickets are £8 and can be purchased at the club or by calling 07841 502535.
Just a huge note of thanks to everyone who donated and sent birthday wishes. I raised £343 towards my #Kris10 campaign. That’s a lot of socks and pants.
We’re fast approaching £2,000 and we’ve taken a step closer to that HUGE £10,000 target.
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, Happy birthday dear me, happy birthday to me.
That all sounds rather self-congratulatory but I’m using my birthday as a weapon to raise money so I’m vindicated, forgiven and a year older.
Ten years ago when I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) I wasn’t sure if I was going to live to 33 and now ten years later, I’m still here age 43; pretty good at maths too!
To celebrate the ten years since diagnosis (or as the Bee Gees would say, Stayin’ Alive), I’ve set myself a challenge to raise £10,000 for Leukaemia Care, the Worcester-based national charity that I’m a trustee of. The money will be spent training more GPs about the signs and symptoms of blood cancer. It will save lives.
So instead of showering me with gifts and cards this year, I’m encouraging you to throw money at me. That’s right, I’m making the ultimate sacrifice and giving up my birthday. No new socks and pants this year but we all get a warm and fuzzy feeling for doing the right thing.
Also, I got a target to hit, that £10,000 isn’t going to raise itself. So, join me, in wishing me, a happy birthday. Donate at www.justgiving.com/kris10 or text KTEN99 £5 to 70070 to donate £5.
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