Just to save any confusion I wanted to let all my forum family know that after a great deal of thought and consideration I have decided to step down as a Blood Cancer UK Forum Support Volunteer after Friday the 6th June 2025.
However I will remain a Blood Cancer UK forum member, Blood Cancer UK Ambassador and Blood Cancer UK volunteer.
I have been a Blood Cancer UK Forum Support Volunteer since the start of the forum in 2018.
I have been so proud, honoured and loved every minute of being a Blood Cancer UK Forum Support Volunteer and I look forward to still participating on the forum as a member.
Oh Erica, you make this forum feel like a safe space, an online home. Thank you for all of the care, compassion, empathy and chit chat youâve given to me since we started our journey in 2023.
Words will not do justice just how much this has meant to me. It has been a lifeline. I am so happy to know you will still be frequenting the forums as a member and an online friend.
Make sure youâre taking care of yourself and putting yourself first. Sending you so much love xxx
Hi @Erica I would like to personally thank you for your kind words of the last few years. You have been there with such lovely words when i have found myself in a bad place. Hopefully you will still be popping in with your wise words and personal experiences.
x
Hello @Erica, that is sad news, but am so glad you will continue to be around and Iâm sure imparting your special brand of kindness and wisdom. Your genuine interest in people and compassion to the cause has certainly helped me a lot as Iâve tried to navigate the sometimes choppy Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) waters. I have often called on you (in my mind) when Iâve had various dips; I am inspired by your stamina, your commitment to pilates (have just started a class but have no idea what Iâm doing), your nosey walking (me too!) and coping with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) plus osteoporosis (as I too have now been diagnosed with that lovely as well, 60 is the year that just keeps giving ). Really appreciate all you do here and how you make our lives with various challenging blood disorders better in some way. You are very much appreciated! xx
A HUGE thank you @Erica for the tremendous support you have given over many years. Words cannot express how supportive, caring, wise and understanding you have been. You have given so much time to this and I am glad for your sake that you have decided to step down. I have been concerned about your well-being as you have devoted yourself to helping us all, so you deserve some âmeâ time. Take extra special care of yourself. Willow x
Dear @Erica, I have only just âstumbled acrossâ this earlier post, having been wrapped up in my own post on a different thread, and I just wanted to put âpen to paperâ, well âdigit to keypadâ to say what a Godsend you have been to myself and to so many other Forum users, and for such a long time too.
Your empathy and understanding have shone through throughout all of your replies and responses to a wide variety of posts, on a myriad of threads/topics/themes as you dispense wise words, sound advice as well as some of your own personal experiences.
I wish you the very best for your future and express the desire that your own health will allow you to continue with your walks and Pilates and to enjoy your busy social life to the full!
As always, stay safe, take care, be kind to yourself and keep on smiling.
You will also continue to be an absolute legend @Erica
Your kindness, compassion and truly unique way of saying just the right thing to many people on this forum will be hugely missed.
Your kindness and words have meant the world to me and Danae during our time on this forum. I will share this news with Danae later and we both send love and kind thoughts your way lovely @Erica . You feel like family (which I guess you are/we all are on this forum) Please keep checking in as we will have graduation pics to share in JulyâŚ
Take time for you now and be kind to yourself the way you are so kind to others.
Hi @Toadmum@Chrispy@Leigh65@Willow@Jimbo165@SarahMum
I am really touched by each of your sentiments.
I shall really miss being a Forum Support Volunteer, but I will still be a very proud member of our very special forum.
I am very emotional and I am aware of being very contemplative today.
@Erica you will be so missed here. I have been so grateful for your wiseness, honesty, compassion and kindness on this forum. On a daily basis, I hear your "pleasantly assertiveâ mantra and it has never done me wrong. You are a very special human and we have all benefitted greatly. On a personal level and as a fellow ambassador, you have given me strength in ways I could never, properly, thank you for. Sending my love and deepest affection and always wishing your days to have moments of meaning, calm and purpose mixed with love, luck and laughter. Your ambassador friend always xx
So well done Erica on all the hard work and kindness you have put into the forum as a supportive volunteer - you will probably never know just how much you have assisted so many with empathy and wise words learned from your own experiences and shared in a positive way to assist others - thanks for all you have done - I especially learned from your âbe kind, very kind, to yourselfâ motto both myself and in turn sharing it with many friends as it is actually a profound principle that so many of us have to learn the hard way is such a needed thing to practise in our lives - I like to think after all your self sacrifice this is now indeed time for you to kind, very kind, to yourself and step back to do the bits you can manage and enjoy time spent in things beneficial to you. All the best
@2DB@Juliet3@Jilly20@judesadventures
Thank so much for your lovely words.
I have now got to get used to having given up my role.
I am now completely emotionally drained and fatigued, itâs an early night for me tonight.
Dear @Erica, apologies for my tardiness in responding here to this big news of yours. Iâm not long back from celebrating many anniversaries, including 2 years since my diagnosis with Polycythaemia vera (PV)âcanât time pass so swiftly?!
If Iâm honest, it feels a bit like grief to know youâre stepping back from supporting us all around the forum as youâre clearly so pivotal here. You were the first person to welcome me and you showed me how to find and offer kindly support.
It also feels like relief that youâre putting your needs first by stepping back. I know youâd never be so gauche as to describe yourself like Iâm about to, but your support here can feel like how good therapy does. Your non-judgmental, keen, friendly approach to us all around the forum is always a pleasure.
I hope you know how important you are to so many people whoâve found the forum. Some of us have been propped up by your funny messages, moved by your care, and been able to tolerate living with these dratted illnesses because we knew you were just a lovely response away.
Thinking fondly of you Erica and how perhaps this change might be as good as a rest for you, or a whole fresh start, or maybe even simply more time to yourself!
Iâll miss your warm greetings to new forum members but feel very fortunate for your support while you looked after us all here.
Thank you so much for everything youâve done to support me personally Erica. I trust youâll take good care of yourself, and let the forum care for you like you have for us.
Thank you @Erica for your reassurances and advice since I joined about 2 years ago. Always a listening ear. Your contribution has been immense. Take care of yourself
Best wishes Nicola
Hi @Jonpd@DottieB@Nicki535@Duncan and all.
Thank you I really appreciate your words, I am still very much about, but know I have to take a step back at the moment, love to you all.
). Really appreciate all you do here and how you make our lives with various challenging blood disorders better in some way. You are very much appreciated! 
xx
