On 20th September 2024, Area and our wider Fourfront Group came together for a special event in memory of our dear friend and colleague, Katie Yeomans. We took on a challenging walk around Katie’s hometown of Brighton to raise awareness and funds for the MDS UK Patient Support Group, which helps those affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of rare blood cancers.
Katie’s journey with MDS was incredibly brave, and we honoured her by making a real difference. Every donation received will help MDS UK continue their vital work in supporting individuals dealing with this condition.
To contribute, please visit our JustGiving page.
For those who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Katie, here’s a bit about why this event means so much to us. Katie joined Fourfront Group in November 2015 and quickly became a cherished member of our team. Her natural warmth and love for people were evident from day one, and in 2017, she moved to our People Team, where her positive impact continued to grow.
Katie was known for her kindness, her genuine smile, and her ability to light up any room. Despite her health struggles towards the end, she faced everything with immense courage and a selfless attitude.
We honoured Katie’s memory with a walk in Brighton, a place she held dear, and successfully raised awareness and support for the MDS UK Patient Support Group in the process. MDS, the condition Katie faced, is a rare blood cancer where the body doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells. While it can’t often be cured, treatment can help manage and improve the condition. Our aim was to raise both awareness and funds to support the MDS UK Patient Support Group and the families they help.
In tribute to Katie, we chose sunflowers as the theme for this charity event. Katie’s husband, Chad, explains why sunflowers are so special to us:
“Katie’s favourite flower was the sunflower; she loved them. They were just like her: bright, colourful, and always happy. They signalled happiness and hope, and that a new spring was dawning. And when you have hope, you have everything.”
The event, appropriately held during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, raised over £25,000. These funds will provide essential support to patients and their families by funding helpline services and distributing free information packs. Additionally, a portion will be allocated to support new research into a promising treatment for MDS-related anaemia, scheduled to begin in 2025.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this meaningful event, celebrating Katie’s life and supporting a cause that was so close to her heart. Together, we have made a difference and honoured a truly wonderful person.
As a small charity, such fundraisers are a lifeline for MDS UK. MDS UK keeps its running costs as low as possible to ensure that every penny goes towards providing support and information to those affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML).
"Fundraisers like this are a lifeline for MDS UK," said Debbie Hickman, Acting CEO of MDS UK. "We rely on the generosity of donors and supporters, without whom we couldn’t continue to do what we do."
Kes Grant, one of the founding members of the first MDS UK patient group, recently contributed to Mark Carter’s Sunday breakfast show on BBC Radio Sussex, saying, 'Thank you all for what you’ve done for the MDS UK Patient Support Group and the wider MDS UK community. It will truly make a difference.'
Please continue to spread the word and help us support a cause that’s so important to us.
Thank you for your support.
