|
We are truly thankful for all your support
|
|
|
|
A Decade of Dedication to Leukaemia Patients
|
For nearly 10 years, KKLT has been a volunteer-led charity dedicated to ensuring that people suffering from leukaemia have the chance to live longer and healthier lives. This incredible journey has been made possible thanks to your support and the tireless efforts of our volunteers.
|
Highlights from the Past Year
|
Over the past year, KKLT has been active in raising awareness about leukaemia through various events. We participated in the Mitcham Carnival in June 2024, Kenya Friends in the Park 2024, and many other events across the country. In October 2024, we attended the Black History Month event in Milton Keynes and London, where we signed up dozens of new potential donors who could one day save lives.
|
We extend a BIG thank you to the Post Code Lottery for funding our outreach events. Your support has been invaluable in helping us reach more people and spread awareness.
|
KKLT is proud to have helped many individuals find donors over the past decade. Take Ben, for example. He registered with KKLT several years ago and recently received a call that he was a match, giving him the opportunity to save a life. Watch his inspirational story here and consider registering to become a donor too!
|
|
|
|
The same happened with Purity, who in 2023, found out she was a match for a patient suffering with leukaemia- she became a stem cell donor and gave someone a second chance at life.
|
|
“It’s 100% important for people to see that I have donated, that I’m in a good place,” concludes Purity. I am very happy to tell my story and educate people: look at me, I am absolutely fine! So please get registered today – you could be giving someone a second chance at life.” – Purity
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Dealing with health issues goes beyond the physical; illness can be a lonely journey. In 2023, KKLT launched wellbeing groups to support individuals dealing with leukaemia and other cancer-related illnesses. These bi-weekly sessions provided a safe space for participants to share their experiences and receive financial assistance for food shopping expenses.
|
The wellbeing project also enabled KKLT to collaborate with St George’s Hospital. We were invited to speak and present KKLT's mission to the hospital staff and work directly with their blood cancer patients.
|
|
|
Engaging the Youth
KKLT continues to engage young people in raising awareness about leukaemia and the simplicity of registering as a donor. We attended events such as the Milton Keynes Children, Youth, and Parents event, where KKLT received an award celebrating our community work.
|
Other youth engagement initiatives included confidence-building workshops like the Discover You programme, funded by the Big Lottery. Additionally, KKLT visited Wimbledon College for Boys to educate students about blood cancer awareness. This event was particularly special as it was the college attended by Kevin Kararwa, marking a full circle moment for the trust.
|
|
|
Another highlight is the success of the KKLT Black Tie Dinner Gala event that was held in May 2023 at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston. Being a charity that is purely volunteer lead; this event came together through the efforts of KKLT volunteers, who took out their time and talents and made this amazing event a reality.
|
The 2023 Dinner Gala event attracted 150 attendees and raised over 10,000 pounds. The money raised is being used to carry out the charity’s work. If you would like to donate to KKLT, please visit https://www.kkltrust.org/financial-support/
|
|
|
Looking Forward
As we approach our 10th anniversary in 2025, KKLT reflects on the journey and the impact we've made. Over the years, we've identified a significant disparity in survival rates between Caucasians and individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds. Statistics show that white individuals have a 70% chance of survival, compared to only 20% for those from BME backgrounds. This disparity drives our mission to bridge this gap.
|
To date, KKLT has significantly increased the number of potential donors by 1553 to the donor registry through our dedicated outreach events. We are proud to report that in the past year alone, five people became successful stem cell matches. While five may seem like a small number, it represents five lives saved, five families and friends who get to see their loved ones survive blood cancer. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and remain committed to saving more lives through our efforts.
|
We also take this moment to remember Kevin Kararwa, an amazing and courageous young man who inspired the founding of KKLT. Kevin, who would have been 35 years old this year, has saved many lives through his legacy. To learn more about Kevin’s story, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Kararwa Leukaemia Trust
|
Registered charity in England and Wales No. 1175159
|
233 Canterbury Road, Modern, Surrey. London. SM4 6QB.
|
|
|
|
|
|