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Real stories

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

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What drove Nathalie Cook to help list Pegasys on the PBS

Nathalie Cook OAM, who was diagnosed with MPN in 2008, tells the story of the delay in her diagnosis and how after attending a conference in the USA, on the flight home, she made the decision to try to get Pegasys on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people with MPN in Australia. It took 7 years to achieve this goal and the hearing her share the story of how she made it happen is truly astounding.

  • Leukaemia
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
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Talking Blood Cancer Nathalie Cook

Living with PV has become “a normal way of life” for Debbie

When Debbie McFarlane was diagnosed with the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), polycythaemia vera (PV) in 2013, she didn’t realise it was a form of blood cancer.

  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
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Debbie and Ian McFarlane

An antibody for myelofibrosis – “that’s a true discovery”

A new monoclonal antibody, discovered by accident by Adelaide researchers, could become the world’s first effective treatment for primary myelofibrosis (MF).

  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
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Associate Professor Daniel Thomas

Expert Series: Prof. Wendy Erber – a tool predicting the potential progression of MPNs coming soon

Professor Wendy Erber and her research team in Western Australia are developing a monitoring tool they hope will identify MPN patients who will go on to develop leukaemia.

  • Interviews with experts
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
  • Research
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Wendy Erber

Charlie’s blood cancer went undiagnosed for a decade

Last updated on May 27th, 2022Developed 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 […]

  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
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Expert Series: Professor Andrew Perkins on MPN

It’s emerging in all cancers, but particularly in the MPNs, that “genomics is everything” according to Professor Andrew Perkins, an expert in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

  • Interviews with experts
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms
  • Research
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Andrew Perkins and grandson Harry

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.