Rare form of cancer spurs Fife mum on to organise fundraisers

Anne MacPherson (47) thought she had symptoms of rheumatism when she started experiencing pain in her bones and excessive sweating. But after a week of blood tests she was given the devastating news that she had myeloma, a cancer that attacks the white blood cells and which normally affects people in their 60s.

She’s been through lengthy and gruelling treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone strengthening infusions, stem cell harvesting and a transplant.

But although she doesn’t know what the future holds, she says she’s determined not to succumb to the illness for the sake of her 15-year-old son Callum, who’s a pupil at Bell Baxter High School.

The brave single mum is channelling her energy into fund-raising, setting up a Just Giving page and organising events such as next Saturday’s 70s and 80s-themed night in Dairsie Village Hall.

“Myeloma is a relatively rare cancer so I decided to turn my experience into something positive and help raise awareness as well as money to help fund vital research,” said Anne. “I’ve become registered with Myeloma UK, which is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma, and plan to organise a number of other events to help raise the charity’s profile.”