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2 minutes with Carmel O’Kane from the Blood Cancer Taskforce
The Blood Cancer Taskforce is well on its way to developing Australia’s first National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer. We ask some of the Taskforce members what drives their passion for blood cancer. Why did you want to be part of the Taskforce? I was identified because of my work with the Cancer Nurses […]
Developing new treatments for Burkitt’s lymphoma
The Leukaemia Foundation is funding research aimed at advancing treatment for a blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), thanks to the generous support of a major donor who has survived this aggressive blood cancer. There is a need for alternative therapies for people with BL, according to Dr Gemma Kelly, a senior postdoctoral research scientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (Melbourne). Dr Kelly and Professor […]
Reshaping our thinking on blood cancer treatment
Researchers at Monash University have discovered a key reason why a type of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is such a difficult disease to treat and cure. More than 1,000 Australians are told they have AML each year but less than a third of them will be alive five years after their diagnosis. […]
Australian study first ever to use CAR T-cells to prevent relapse after treatment
In a world first, the Australian COMMITTAL trial uses CAR T-cell therapy to improve survival for people with B-cell ALL who have an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Dr Ken Micklethwaite, a clinical haematologist and bone marrow physician, who runs the CAR T-cell program at The Westmead Institute of Medical Research (Sydney), describes the study […]
Jeanette takes nothing for granted
Darwin mother-of-two Jeanette Kingston, 41, never takes a single day for granted. When she was diagnosed with a blood cancer called multiple myeloma on August 14, 2018 she thought death was knocking at her door. With two young children, Brayden, nine, and seven-year-old Tahlia, Jeanette made up her mind to fight for her life. […]
“A marathon doesn’t compare to the challenges of blood cancer”
When Kristy Williams found out her close friend Erin was diagnosed with a rare and acute form of blood cancer, she literally hit the ground running. Since 2014, Kristy has dedicated her long distance running efforts to her best friend Erin, raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation to support all Australians living with blood cancer, […]
I needed two transfusions to make my daughter’s wedding
Des Paddon says he owes his life to a clinical trial for the drug venetoclax – an experimental therapy that Leukaemia Foundation supporters helped to kick start. Des will spend this Father’s Day reflecting on family, including how much his two daughters supported him during his blood cancer treatment. “Jessica and Naomy don’t live nearby, […]
Anthony’s grateful family honours his memory with gift
The family of a courageous father who lost his battle with blood cancer have made a generous gift to the Leukaemia Foundation to honour his memory and help other families facing blood cancer. Cris Leon, the Leukaemia Foundation’s General Manager in Queensland, has thanked the Mammino and Puglisi families for their incredibly generous $10,000 gift. […]
Improving the “wait and see” approach to treatment for high-risk blood cancer
Australian researchers utilising valuable samples from an initial clinical trial funded with the help of Leukaemia Foundation supporters have discovered why half of patients with a type of high-risk blood cancer will not respond to a common treatment. The discovery could form the basis for a world-first clinical test to identify early whether or not […]
New PBS drug will mean better outcomes for families
A drug used to treat a rare form of Hodgkin lymphoma is now widely available through the national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), saving families thousands of dollars. The PBS listing of brentuximab vedotin gives Australians access to a potentially life-saving treatment that previously cost up to $16,100 for a single course. The Leukaemia Foundation presented comprehensive […]