Uddingston woman takes on Beatson challenge after stem cell transplant
A courageous Uddingston woman is getting set to take part in a fundraiser for the Beatson cancer charity – only 10 weeks after receiving a lifesaving stem cell transplant in her treatment for leukaemia.
Natalie Forrest and younger brother John will be lining up for this month's 10km Off the Beatson Track walk in Glasgow for a second successive year, having taken part in 2024 in memory of their dad John who was cared for at the centre before sadly passing away in January that year.
Just eight months later, Natalie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and has since undergone a year of gruelling treatment including chemotherapy and multiple complications, culminating in the transplant of stem cells from her sibling in June.
The pair are now focusing on taking part in this year's walk on August 24, with John lending a helping hand to ensure Natalie can take part in the fundraiser taking them around the Riverside Museum, Beatson centre and Kelvingrove museum – and the pair being accompanied by a beloved four-legged friend.
Natalie said: 'I wasn't sure I'd be well enough to take part this year, but the event means so much to us as a family. So we came up with a plan – John will push me in a wheelchair so I can still be there.'
She will be accompanied by toy poodle Nico, who joined the family just two weeks before her dad died, and Natalie added: 'Dad never got the chance to know him properly, but I'm so grateful he got to meet him. Nico has been by my side through grief, hospital stays and recovery. He's part of our story now.'
Natalie received a donation of stem cells from John in June as part of her treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia and blast myelodysplasia.
She was diagnosed last autumn after her alert local pharmacist – who had herself previously battled leukaemia – urged Natalie to report her symptoms of a sore throat, high temperature and week-long urine infection to her GP, and within days, tests at Wishaw and Monklands hospitals found abnormal cells and led to a shock diagnosis of blood cancer.
The 40-year-old has since undergone five rounds of chemotherapy, beginning within two weeks, and has endured multiple complications including seven cardiac arrests and a spell in intensive care, emergency bowel surgery, a stoma and numerous blood transfusions.
John previously told how the family are 'eternally grateful to the pharmacist who helped save Natalie's life', and had said of her time in intensive care: 'She was placed on life support and we were told to prepare for the worst. They gave her 48 hours to see if she could survive.
'Somehow Natalie pulled through. We were allowed to bring Nico into intensive care, and she briefly opened her eyes for the first time. The next day she woke up and [went] from strength to strength.'
Natalie says the support from Beatson cancer charity has been invaluable both during her treatment, and in the months after losing her dad, saying: 'The bereavement course helped me so much, and it really surprised me how personal the support was.
'When I got emails from people at the charity wishing me luck before treatment, it really stuck with me. It made me feel seen during an incredibly lonely time.'
The family is hoping for sunshine this year after washout weather at the event 12 months ago – but say nothing will stop them from showing up to make their way to the finish line in support of the charity and in honour of John senior, having first begun to support the Beatson to give back with gratitude for the care and compassion he had received.
Natalie added: 'Off the Beatson Track is such a special day. Everyone there has a story and everyone understands; that sense of community gives you a boost when you need it most.'
This year's popular 10km walking event marks 12 years of the fundraiser which brings together thousands of participants united by their shared connection to cancer, turning the west end of Glasgow yellow by turning out in the Beatson's signature colour.
More than 20,000 participants have walked over 124,000 miles to date, with finishers at the Riverside Museum able to enjoy the festival village with live entertainment and food stalls, and the event being hosted by STV's Laura Boyd and Heart Scotland's David Farrell.
Beatson community fundraising manager Maisie McCormick said: 'We're so grateful to everyone who has taken part over the years – some families have been with us since the beginning, so we hope everyone will get behind the celebrations this year and join us.
'Every single person who signs up is allowing us to support more cancer patients and their families over the years to come, and we cannot thank you enough for that.'
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