Thread by @gemmapeters

I’m ready to sign off for Christmas & Let’s not sugar coat the past 12 months, it really has been tough. Particularly if you have blood cancer.
 But we can be proud of how the blood cancer community has come together, and what we've achieved.
A thread: 1/12

Stating the obvious – 2020 has been an awful year for the country.
 It seems a lifetime ago, but since March, our charity's focus has been on doing absolutely everything in our power to support the blood cancer community during the most difficult challenge its ever faced. (2/12)

Our support services have worked tirelessly, and the team have given everything to meet the unprecedented demand. I’m so proud to work along side them.
Throughout the year, they've been a calm, reassuring voice to so many people who reached out for support. (3/12)

Later, we campaigned for people with blood cancer to be eligible for furlough if they couldn’t work from home, and for people with blood cancer to be a higher priority to get the vaccine.
We needed to win these battles, and we mostly did! (4/12)

It's meant fewer people have had to choose between their health and their finances; and that many thousands of people with blood cancer will get a vaccine earlier than they would have done otherwise. (5/12)

It has been a difficult year for our charity financially. Sports events and community fundraising just haven’t been possible this year, and we’ve had to make difficult decisions.
One of the most heart breaking has been saying goodbye to valued colleagues & friends. 6/12)

I'd like to reiterate what a privilege it was to work alongside such a dedicated group of people.
Sadly this meant becoming a smaller organisation just at the time when people affected by blood cancer need us most. (7/12)

But I think the single hardest decision we’ve made this year is to reduce the amount we’ve spent on research. I’m all too aware that if we fund less research, then it could mean that more people die before we reach the day that blood cancer is beaten. #NeverMoreNeeded (8/12)

I am absolutely determined to increase the amount we spend on research as quickly as we possibly can.
And I know everyone in the blood cancer community will be working just as hard to get us back there. (9/12)

As tough as 2020 has been, the thing that gives me hope for the future is the amazing compassion and determination I've seen all through the year.
And while it has been a long, hard road, I can’t think a group of people I’d rather have walked it with. (10/12)

I know for many of you, the next couple of weeks will be especially difficult because you’ll be thinking about the loved ones who have died. Or you’ll feel anxious about the infection rate. Or changes in treatment. Our support line is staying open for you. Please call. (11/12)

A special thank you to the amazing charity CEOs who have propped me up on the many occasions I have needed it. @KateCollinsUK @dijupp @frankfletcher @RachelKirbyR @HennyBraund @SamiaalQadhi @TimJconsultant

You can read my full message here bloodcancer.org.uk/news/a-christm…
But for now, on behalf of everyone at Blood Cancer UK, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones xxxx 12/12