A YEAR after being diagnosed with leukaemia, Sarah Argles is taking on a triathlon to raise money for cancer research.

The 30-year-old, from East Oxford, will take part in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon with two friends, Fiona Slater and Sharlene Matharu, today. Despite still recovering from the blood cancer, Ms Argles will run in the 5k element of the event, which will also include cycling and swimming.

Organisers hope 1,000 fundraisers taking part will raise about £250,000 for the charity.

Blenheim Palace will also host elite events – featuring Olympian Vicky Holland and seven-time Multi Sport World Champion Richard Stannard – tomorrow.

Ms Argles was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive form of the blood cancer, in spring 2012 after visiting hospital with an infection.

She said: “I had the test on a Thursday, was diagnosed with leukaemia by Saturday, given a 50/50 prognosis on Sunday and started treatment on the Monday.”

She went through four rounds of chemotherapy and had a stem cell transplant with bone marrow donated by her sister, Ruth, 36, at the end of 2012.

She was told her blood was cancer- free three months ago but is still on a number of drugs to treat the condition.

Ms Argles said: “I suppose I was in shock for the first few months and that probably got me through some of the hardest treatment, but it was pretty horrible. “That is one of the reasons I want to do this because I hope researchers come up with a better treatment.”

Ms Argles has already beaten her £2,000 fundraising target for the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research by £23.

To support her, go to justgiving.com/user/3181493