Caitlin Leggett Launches £500,000 Fund‑raiser for Overseas Leukemia Treatment
Caitlin Leggett, a 24‑year‑old from Cardiff, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in April 2025. Her initial treatment included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, after which she entered remission in May 2025. However, the cancer returned to her skin in August, and despite clinical trials and an additional transplant, relapse persisted by December 2025. In January 2026 she achieved a second remission, but doctors warned her that another transplant would not be possible in the UK and that she had only about six months to live without further curative intervention.
Facing a stark prognosis, Caitlin set up a fundraising page to cover the costs of overseas treatment. She identified high‑cost options such as CAR‑T cell therapy in China or Singapore or other intensive protocols in the United States, each priced at hundreds of thousands of pounds. The crowdfunding goal is £500,000, covering treatment and travel expenses.
The case is further complicated by Caitlin’s identical twin sister, Grace. While Grace had initially been considered a potential stem cell donor, genetic testing revealed their DNA were indistinguishable, making her ineligible. The twins, who had lived together through university, discovered their identical status only after Caitlin’s diagnosis. Grace’s inability to donate has intensified Caitlin’s urgent need for alternative care.
“I was raised thinking that no matter what health problem could arise, we had each other,” said Grace, emphasizing how their partnership is threatened by Caitlin’s illness. Caitlin remarks that she cannot bear the idea of leaving Grace alone, calling the thought “unthinkable.” She expresses gratitude for the support already received online and through her local community.
Leukaemia specialists note that Canada's clinical trials for menin inhibitors and Bleximenib show promise, but if these fail, limited options remain in the UK. Consequently, Caitlin’s medical team recommends seeking care abroad, a decision fraught with financial, logistical, and emotional challenges. The urgency of her situation has prompted a national outpouring of support from friends, family, and strangers.
As her campaign progresses, Caitlin reflects on the fleeting nature of her youth and the hope that a successful overseas treatment could restore a life she had once taken for granted. Her story underscores the broader crisis of limited transplant options in the UK and highlights the importance of international treatment accessibility for severe cancers.