AN EVESHAM charity chief is set to be recognised for her efforts in raising more than £1million for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan at a glittering awards ceremony.
Sue Sollis of the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust, is among those who will be honoured at the Tower of London tonight (Thursday) after the charity was shortlisted for the Organisational Fundraiser of the Year Award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2019.
Over the past 23 years, Sue Sollis has raised nearly £1.2million for Anthony Nolan in memory of her daughter Tracy.
Tracy Sollis attended Prince Henry’s High School when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 1993 aged just 14 years old.
Sue was told the only way she would survive was to have a bone marrow transplant. A donor was found and Tracy underwent her transplant in November 1994. The transplant was unsuccessful and Tracy sadly passed away in February 1995.
Ever since Sue has dedicated her life to raising awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan. This year the Trust will fund £34,000 of research equipment. Sue has not only raised awareness by giving public talks but also set up two charity shops.
“It was a pleasant and completely unexpected surprise,” she said.
“The Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust has been raising funds for many years to enhance the treatment and care of those with leukaemia and other blood disorders. This has been achieved largely through directly purchasing and donating equipment for use in the Anthony Nolan Research Institute.
“We also provide complementary therapy for patients in our local Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Our complementary therapist, Carrie Adams, has a very special understanding of leukaemia as she is a form former patient who underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in 2005.”
“One of the highlights of raising funds for Anthony Nolan was way back in 1996.
“This was when one of the laboratories was officially opened by HRH The Duchess of Kent and dedicated in memory of Tracy. This followed a successful appeal to raise £100,000 within the Evesham community.”
Sue has also been honoured with the award of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services.
“I feel this award is very much a great tribute to my daughter Tracy, who has greatly inspired not only myself but so many through her brave battle against leukaemia,” she said.
“I will always remember Tracy’s response when during a radio interview she was asked how she felt knowing she had the disease. Tracy’s words were ‘it’s helping me to help others’.
Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “It is remarkable to see how many people support our work to find a match for those in need of a stem cell transplant. Without them, none of our life-saving work would be possible.
“Sue Sollis and the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust have shown tremendous dedication to Anthony Nolan, funding vital equipment that enables us to carry out our pioneering research, and ultimately save more lives.
Anthony Nolan finds matching stem cell donors for people with blood cancer and blood disorders and gives them a second chance at life.
It also carries out ground-breaking research to save more lives and provide information and support to patients after a stem cell transplant, through its clinical nurse specialists and psychologists, who help guide patients through their recovery.
Visit www.anthonynolan.org/awards for more.
