Select language:  
1800 620 420
Close menu

Real stories

Stories from people living with blood cancer, their family, carers, and friends; plus research and advocacy news.

Subscribe here to receive updates, including stories like these, via email. Or if you have your own blood cancer story to share, we’d love to hear from you.

Talking Blood Cancer: Overcoming needle phobia and acute myeloid leukaemia

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Cathy Koning about her experience living with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

  • Grief and loss
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Support services
  • Treatments and side-effects
Read more

Talking Blood Cancer: Facing young loss

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lauren Smith about her experiences surrounding blood cancer. Unlike the usual patient stories shared on the podcast, Lauren recounts her journey accompanying her late husband, Jake, through his battle with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when both were just 21 years old.

  • Grief and loss
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Support services
  • Treatments and side-effects
Read more

Dealing with the emotions of clearing out a home after a loved one dies

Feelings of helplessness and confusion are common after losing a loved one and everything you need to do can be overwhelming. 

  • Grief and loss
Read more
Clearing out the house

Learning to live around our grief

Grief is very much part of our lives - it’s not something separate and it's not just about dying or death, it's around endings, according to psychotherapist, Dr Stephanie Thompson.  

  • Grief and loss
  • Treatments and side-effects
Read more
Dr Stephanie Thompson

Expert Series: the healing power of music therapy

“Music is very much part of our lives” and that's why it's such a useful and effective tool in therapy, according to Tasmanian registered music therapist, Dr Stephanie Thompson. 

  • Grief and loss
  • Interviews with experts
  • Treatments and side-effects
Read more
Dr Stephanie Thompson

In her grief, Nerys is finding “little bits of joy” again

For Nerys Welch, “grief sucks” in so many ways. And she says, “it never goes away”. 

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Grief and loss
Read more
Nerys, Richard and the kids at their house

Last updated on October 24th, 2023

Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment and answers to your medical questions, including the suitability of a particular therapy, service, product or treatment in your circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation shall not bear any liability for any person relying on the materials contained on this website.