Solihull Parents Dedicated to Raising £40,000 for Leukaemia Charity After Son's Diagnosis
A devoted couple from Solihull has embarked on an extraordinary mission to raise £40,000 for charity, following their son's devastating leukaemia diagnosis. Sean Morgan, aged 58, and Rachel Morgan, aged 59, are preparing to tackle the London Marathon on April 26 in a determined effort to generate crucial funds for Leukaemia UK.
Life-Altering Diagnosis
The Morgans' world was turned upside down when doctors confirmed that their 27-year-old son, Charlie Morgan, had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a rare form of blood cancer. The diagnosis came on February 4, 2025, just months after Charlie and his wife, Danielle, had relocated to Hong Kong in October 2024.
Sean Morgan recounted the emotional moment, stating, "We were all devastated in that moment. Hearing the word 'cancer' attributed to your child definitely stops you in your tracks." Charlie described the profound impact, saying, "If you’d have told me when Danielle and I touched down in Hong Kong in October 2024, that three months later I would be lying in the foetal position, under the weight of two nurses, having a bone marrow extraction to determine which type of leukaemia I had, I would have eaten my hat."
Understanding Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is exceptionally rare in Charlie's age group, with only about 80 individuals aged between 25 and 39 diagnosed annually in the United Kingdom. Symptoms typically develop gradually and may include:
- Frequent infections
- Persistent fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Easy bruising or bleeding
After undergoing initial treatment, Charlie and Danielle made the decision to return to the United Kingdom so that Charlie could continue his medical care under the supervision of the haematology department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, followed by treatment at Hammersmith Hospital. Fortunately, Charlie has responded positively to treatment and now attends regular appointments to monitor his blood levels. The couple currently resides in Chiswick, where Charlie has resumed working, travelling, exercising, and socialising.
Marathon Fundraising Effort
Sean and Rachel Morgan are now channelling their energy into running the London Marathon to support Leukaemia UK, with an ambitious target of raising £40,000 for vital leukaemia research. The couple admitted, "Just like leukaemia, this is a challenge we never imagined we would take on. And it’s fair to say that we are not runners! A marathon was always one of those ‘maybe one day’ ideas, the kind you never truly think will come true."
They added, "But January 2025 changed everything and sparked a real motivation for both of us to tackle a big challenge head on, and right now." Expressing gratitude for medical advancements, they noted, "Luckily, CML today is very treatable, thanks to the invention of targeted therapy tablets. We are eternally grateful that Charlie’s condition was caught early, that targeted treatments now exist, and that continuous developments in CML research, including the work funded by Leukaemia UK, continue apace."
Parental Pride and Advocacy
The Morgans spoke with immense pride about their son's resilience, stating, "We are both in complete awe of our son. From the very beginning, he has faced this journey with a strength, humour and courage that humbles us every single day. We couldn’t be prouder of him." They emphasised their commitment to the cause, saying, "We’re honoured to be running on behalf of Leukaemia UK, to help fund life-changing research, raise awareness and advocate for better outcomes for people who receive a leukaemia diagnosis, like Charlie."
They also encouraged public support, urging, "We’re so grateful for everyone’s donations and support. If you can, please also consider joining the stem cell register. Every 27 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer, and being on the register can make a life‑changing difference."
Charity Support and Broader Impact
Hanna Chorley, community and challenge events manager at Leukaemia UK, expressed deep appreciation for the Morgans' efforts, remarking, "We are so grateful to Sean and Rachel and to all of our amazing runners taking on the London Marathon for us. We cannot wait to cheer them on! With the help of incredible supporters like Sean and Rachel, together we can continue to fund groundbreaking research into kinder, more effective treatments for leukaemia."
Leukaemia UK highlights that every day, 28 people in the UK receive a leukaemia diagnosis. Symptoms can encompass fatigue, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, and repeated infections. Alarmingly, only half of leukaemia patients survive longer than five years post-diagnosis. The charity anticipates that its supporters' dedicated endeavours will raise approximately £140,000 to fund additional research aimed at preventing leukaemia from devastating lives. A cheer point for its 56 runners will be established on the iconic Tower Bridge during the marathon.
