THREE weeks after giving birth to her second son Alfie, Natasha Jones, who was then just 28 years of age, learned that she was she was suffering from leukaemia.

"I had been feeling beyond exhausted and I remember thinking that I didn't know having two children would be so tiring," said Natasha, who lives in Wimborne.

"I was also shaky, bruised very easily and had an abscess."

She was breast feeding Alfie when her consultant told her a blood test had revealed acute myeloid leukaemia.

"It was November and I asked him if I would see Christmas. He said ' this is what we're here for'.

"My husband Paul was sitting next to me and my mother Wendy Carter was on the other side of the room with Joshua, my six-year old," said Natasha.

It was a double blow for Wendy - who is one of the managers at Streets Meadow residential home - as 12 years ago Natasha's brother Adam died of a heart attack whilst on a rugby tour of Australia.

"However, throughout my illness Mum had so much strength and even when I said I felt so ill I couldn't carry on, she said I didn't have an option."

That was five years ago, and in March this year, Natasha was not only given the all clear, she has the satisfaction of knowing the charity she founded, Leaf, (Leukaemia Education and Fundraising) is on schedule to raise around £100,000 to help other blood cancer sufferers.

Natasha's treatment was gruelling.

"I had four courses of chemotherapy which left me with no immune system and so I had to stay in isolation in Poole Hospital for six months and could only have limited contact with Alfie," she said.

The room was quite large and Paul was able to sleep on a futon. Now and then Joshua came for a sleep over.

When Natasha realised that losing her hair was inevitable she had to make a decision.

"I wanted to make it easier for Joshua and so I asked him if he thought I'd be brave enough to have my hair shaved off. He said he didn't. It turned out to be the best thing I could have done - and afterwards we both laughed."

On the handful of days she was allowed out of hospital she wore a wig, which she said made her feel normal.

She had nothing but praise for the care she received in Poole Hospital, but she found the experience horrendous.

However, one day, when she was in a deep dark pit of depression, an idea came to her.

"I thought I can allow myself to wallow in self pity, or I can use the time to turn around the experience."

And so from her hospital bed - she had internet access - she set up the charity Leaf and started to organise a charity ball.

She had business experience, having been a beautician before working as an estate agent.

At the end of 2007, Natasha was in remission and she asked her consultant if she could withstand another pregnancy.

"He said I was strong enough but would be unlikely to conceive as the chemo can make you infertile," she said.

Miraculously three weeks later she was pregnant and in September 2008 gave birth to Herbie.

Since then Leaf has gone from strength to strength and earlier this year Natasha won the special woman award in the Langtry Women in Business Awards.

In addition Poole Hospital has asked Natasha to be a patient representative for its new teenage cancer ward.

As Natasha, who is helped by Sara Haymes, who is secretary/treasurer, works from home, the charity has no overheads, so the money raised goes just where it is needed.

Fundraising initiatives have included fashions shows, sponsored walks, cycle rides and a Christmas Ball.

Leaf helps adults in Dorset who are affected with blood cancer, both those receiving treatment and those who have needs since being discharged from hospital.

For instance the charity provides holidays to Centre Parcs and short breaks to the FJB group of hotels in Poole. Esporta Health Club memberships are also funded with each patient having their own PT instructor to assist them in the gym.

Leukaemia has left its legacy.

"I have become a hypochondriac and I get paranoid when I think the children might be suffering from something. I think I am over protective. Fortunately my doctor is patient," said Natasha.

However, there is a plus side.

"Before my illness I used to moan about life rather a lot. Now I am so much more positive. I know what my purpose is. This is what I am here for. I don't get paid for it but I love this job, and I can honestly say that I never loved any of my previous ones."

Natasha has lots of exciting things on the horizon and hopes to announce soon that she has found a high profile patron.

In addition, she has been shortlisted into the final selection round of the Olympic torchbearer.

Leaf has a number of events coming up including a charity golf day, a Halloween event, a Yummy Mummy coffee morning, and a Magical Winter Wonderland Christmas Ball.

For more details email info@leafcharity.co.uk

Also see www.leafcharity.com

mbarber@bvmedia.co.uk