BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri announces incurable blood cancer diagnosis

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri, 49, disclosed to The Times that she is receiving treatment for Polycythaemia vera, a condition where bone marrow continuously generates red blood cells. Without treatment, the disease can lead to blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Maryam has been receiving immunotherapy since her diagnosis two years ago, which followed a menopause-related blood test.

Medical professionals describe Maryam's condition as a chronic disorder that can be controlled, rather than a rapidly progressing disease. However, the treatment continues to place an enormous burden on Maryam and her loved ones. Maryam explained that during her worst times when going through gruelling treatment, she was not there for her kids.

Maryam has pledged to continue broadcasting, having worked 14-hour days and constantly being on air despite experiencing chronic fatigue. She is younger than the typical person diagnosed with the condition, where the average age stands at 60 years old with 15,000 Brits affected.

Maryam is now supporting a new initiative called Here for This, launched by Blood Cancer UK, which seeks to showcase how the illness affects daily life and family occasions.