Who we are
Established in Queensland in 1975, the Leukaemia Foundation is the only national organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. The disorders include myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferate disorders (PRV, ET, MF), waldenstroms, amyloidosis and aplastic anaemia.
Our Mission is to Care. Our Vision is to Cure.
Mission to Care
Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time. Often with little warning and in acute cases, may require treatment within 24 hours of diagnosis. It turns lives upside down overnight.
Families from rural or regional Australia often need to quickly relocate to major cities to be closer to treatment centres. This is usually for extended periods of time.
Relocation is particularly traumatic as it often occurs after diagnosis, resulting in patients and families adjusting to their new circumstances without the benefit of established local support networks.
Combined with costly medical bills and loss of income, many families find themselves in financially crippling circumstances whilst coping with the shock and emotional turmoil associated with the diagnosis.
On average, treatment of haematological cancers lasts for eight months but can continue for years.
This is where we step in, providing personalised support and care for patients and families right throughout their journey – from diagnosis, treatment to recovery. This support is provided by an extensive team of trained cancer nurses and allied health professionals and reaches every town and community across Australia .
Support services include:
- counselling and support
- disease-specific information materials
- education programs and support groups
- access to 'home away from home' accommodation close to major treatment centres
- transport to and from treatment
- practical assistance
All services are provided free of charge to patients and families.
Vision to Cure
We are committed to ongoing funding for vital research into the causes, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, psychosocial impact and ultimately cures for leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.
Through our National Research Program, we have established the PwC Foundation Leukaemia and Lymphoma Tissue Bank and the Leukaemia Foundation Research Laboratory at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research.
We also fund research grants, scholarships and fellowships for talented researchers.
In 2006, the Leukaemia Foundation has committed more than $2 million in research funding.
Funding
We receive no ongoing government funding and rely on the generous support of our corporate supporters and the community.
Governance
The Leukaemia Foundation is committed to ensuring the funds donated by the public are used in the most effective possible way.
Our Board is responsible for corporate governance. The Board guides and monitors business affairs, including approval for the distribution of funds.
Read our complete Governance statement
Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Board Members
Robert Yeo
Chairman/Victoria Delegate
Senior Partner, Hall Chadwick
Lucio Di Giallonardo
Treasurer/Western Australia Delegate
Partner, HLB Mann Judd Chartered Accountants
Phillip Bradley
Secretary/New South Wales delegate
Don Perrett
Queensland Delegate
David Jacobs
South Australia Delegate
Associate Professor Ken Bradstock
Medical Advisor
Head of Blood & Marrow Transplant Services, Westmead Hospital
Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland Board Members
Beverly Mirolo
President
Don Perrett
Vice President
Teresa Lloyd
Secretary
Darren Laarhoven
Treasurer
Haines Norton
Paula Marlton
Medical Consultant
Assistant Director of Haematology, Princes Alexandra Hospital
Fred Bylett
Member
Elaine Gamer
Member
Maryanne Hargraves
Member
Dr James Morton
Member
Clinician, Mater Private Centre for Haematology & Oncology
Dr Trevor Olsen
Member
Bernie Stevenson
Member
Graeme Walker
Member
National Medical Advisory Committee
National Medical Advisory Committee (NMAC) was established in 2000 to provide strategic advice to the Leukaemia Foundation on medical, scientific, research and clinical matters. Members of the NMAC are qualified and practising haematologists. Each member of the NMAC represents and chairs their state Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee and also performs the role of Medical Advisor in their state. The Chairman of the NMAC is also the National Medical Advisor for the Foundation and is a member of the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Board.
The NMAC oversees and guides the National Research Program and the scientific and medical research granting process which is undertaken by an independent panel of experts - the Grants Review Committee (GRC) chaired by Prof Andrew Boyd. The NMAC makes medical and research funding recommendations to the LFA Board based on advice received from the GRC ensuring that the recommendations are consistent with LFA goals and priorities.
The current Chairman of the NMAC is Assoc Prof Ken Bradstock (NSW) and the other members of the committee are Dr Paula Marlton (Qld), Dr Andrew Spencer (Vic), Dr Malcolm Green (SA) and Dr Richard Herrmann (WA).
- Read about the National Research Program for further details on our research funding and NMAC members.
