In 2014, Andrea Firebrace (nee Rogers) (Th & Alb ’88) was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), one of the most aggressive, fast moving and least understood of all cancers.  Having undergone a courageous battle, she passed on the 15th of June 2015 aged 43, just over a year after her initial diagnosis. 

Andrea was vibrant, witty, fun and loyal. She was the centre of her husband and young family’s life, a much loved daughter and sister, and a treasured friend to countless. She loved her time at Haileybury and even got married in Chapel in 2012.

Andrea Firebrace Foundation

During her treatment, Andrea and her husband, Henry learned that AML does not respond to drugs that are successful in treating other forms of cancer. It behaves differently and the chances of survival are sadly, very low.

As such, after she passed away, Henry created the Andrea Firebrace Foundation to fund a PhD position that will research AML and shed light on why this most frightening of diseases afflicts those that it does, why it does not respond to drugs in the same way to other forms of cancer, and, eventually, uncover treatments to beat it.

Fundraising to support PhD research

The fundraising for the Andrea Firebrace Foundation is managed by the University College Hospital Cancer Fund – a charity managed by Haileybury Society President, Nick Gilbert (Tr ’96).

Nick writes “it’s an honour and privilege to fundraise for this project, in honour of a fellow OH. We have an amazing opportunity to fund innovative research that can spur breakthrough treatments and truly innovative care for AML patients, all in memory of Andrea”.

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