A BRAVE young woman who has endured a marathon fight for survival has signed up to raise funds and race for the charity which saved her.

Nichola Burgess, 27, from Leigh, was diagnosed with severe congenital neutropenia, a rare blood disorder when she was just three years old.

The condition made Nichola extremely susceptible to infections and she has needed daily injections to boost her immune system throughout her life.

This was before it began to threaten her life.

In 2010, an annual bone marrow biopsy showed there were cell changes which meant she was at high risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia.

Her doctors advised her to have a bone marrow transplant, and the Anthony Nolan Trust found a matching donor in 2011.

She went ahead with the gruelling procedure, which included weeks in isolation.

Just three years later, cured, and now engaged, Nichola is celebrating by running the 5k “Marrowthon” in Regents Park on Sunday, March 9.

She said: “It wasmy choice whether or not to go ahead with the transplant.

I was a young ambitious girl, who had recently graduated from university and was enjoying life.

“I knew there were risks with a bone marrow transplant – there can be very serious complications and it can be life-threatening.

“However, the more I thought about it and with the support of my amazing family and friends, I realised I couldn’t just sit there and wait to develop leukaemia. I almost felt like my body was a time bomb ready to go off, and I knew prevention would be better than cure.”

Nichola and her partner for 11 years, Ross Williams, 27, from Leigh, are now planning their wedding in December.

To sponsor Nichola go to uk.virgin moneygiving.com/Nikkinoos