Jess McLean (Page)

Written by Jessica Bomford, October 23, 2024

We are so sad to tell you that Jess McLean, our much-loved Youth Ambassador and friend to so many in our community, has died from acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of 29. 

We send our heartfelt condolences to Jess’s parents, Jamie and Paula, her brother, Matt, her husband Scott and everyone who loved her.  

Jess’s unique mix of fun, warmth and compassion made her hugely popular, not just within our charity but to all who knew her. She was determined to push the boundaries of living with a bleeding disorder and to support and speak up for people who needed help. Through her work, volunteering and simply being Jess, she improved countless lives. 

Jess was a respected and loved primary school teacher who also volunteered her time to support families in need of respite care.  Jess’s happy place was Disneyland, where she and her brother were taken for a surprise treat as children and where she returned many times to create more precious memories. 

Intelligent, courageous and kind, Jess was an inspiring advocate for everyone with a bleeding disorder, especially women and girls.   

Jess, who had haemophilia A and von Willebrand disorder, became a Youth Ambassador in 2018, mentoring our young members at Youth Camp and speaking at many events. She wanted to test the limits of what someone with a bleeding disorder could do, particularly in relation to physical fitness. In her early 20s she developed a passion for playing rugby and she also enjoyed climbing and running, completing a virtual London Marathon during lockdown.  

Jess also took on new responsibilities as our Talking Red Ambassador, a position which helps raise the profile of women and girls with a bleeding disorder. An accomplished speaker, Jess addressed global conferences, helping new audiences learn to speak up for themselves to get the best treatment and care possible. She made valued connections throughout the global bleeding disorders community. In 2022 she was presented with the World Federation of Hemophilia’s Youth Fellowship award for her voluntary work for people with bleeding disorders around the world.  

In due course, in consultation with Jess’s family, we will be establishing a special fund in Jess’s memory which will focus on issues which were important to her and allow us to continue her amazing work.   

Through her volunteering with the Haemophilia Society, Jess met her future husband, Scott McLean, a fellow Youth Ambassador who now works for our charity. The couple became engaged in 2022 and were married in a beautiful ceremony earlier this month.  

Jess’s irresistible brand of charm, humour, intelligence and determination changed our world, and that of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She was, and will always be, a cherished and irreplaceable member of our Haemophilia Society family.