In April 2023, my husband, Sergeant Mike Newbrook, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. It came out of nowhere and turned our lives upside down.
Mike had served in the Navy and then dedicated 18 years to the police. He was the kindest, most humble man - known for his patience, sense of humour, and calmness under pressure. Whether he was working as a response officer, in TSG, or as a sergeant, he brought strength and reassurance to every role. His colleagues described him as someone who made even the toughest days feel manageable.
When Mike fell ill, we had two young sons, aged 3 and 5. At first, he thought he was just tired - working hard and juggling family life - but when he became breathless and noticed changes in his skin, he went for tests. The diagnosis came fast, and devastatingly: leukemia. Within 24 hours, he was admitted to hospital.
What followed was a battle of astonishing bravery. Mike endured relentless chemotherapy, infection after infection with no immune system, and more than 200 nights in hospital. He received over 100 units of blood products - red blood cells and platelets - that gave him the strength to fight. He also received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Europe, giving us hope that we might leave this nightmare behind.
But the leukemia returned just three months later. Remarkably, Mike fought his way back into remission once again. In March 2024, we were told he needed a donor cell infusion to help stop it returning. Tragically, this triggered Graft versus Host Disease, and after everything his body had already endured, he passed away peacefully in ICU, holding my hand, listening to Ibiza chilled tunes. He was just 46 years old.
Because of those blood donations, we had 16 more precious months together as a family. That time allowed us to talk about what mattered, to prepare, to record his voice, and for Mike to write letters for our boys. I will be forever grateful for that.
Mike lived to help others - first in the Navy, then in the Police - and I want his legacy to continue doing just that. That’s why I started @PintforMike, an Instagram campaign encouraging people to donate blood in his memory. Every pint helps save or improve a life, just like it did for Mike. If you’re reading this, please visit blood.co.uk and book an appointment to give blood. Then drop us a message to let us know you’ve done it - we’re counting every single donation made in his honour.
The Police have always been such a family to us, and I am so grateful for their continued support in such difficult times.
Mike was one of the best. A wonderful husband, an incredible dad, and a brilliant police officer. I couldn’t be prouder to have been his wife. Our sons will always know just how brave and selfless their daddy was.
Please help me share his story. Tell your friends, your family, your colleagues. Encourage them to give a pint for Mike - and for the countless others who need the chance to fight.
Jack Rowland, Superintendent and Mike’s friend, shared this:
“Losing a friend and colleague is always hard to deal with and has an immeasurable impact on their family. Mike was such a team player who would help and support anyone in need. Now it is our turn to help people in Mike’s name.
By nature, police officers want to make a difference—and giving a ‘Pint for Mike’ will help treat and save hundreds of lives across the UK. If you are able to give just an hour of your time to donate, it would be greatly appreciated by everyone who knew and loved Mike.”
Follow the campaign: @PintforMike on Instagram
Book your blood donation: blood.co.uk