Patient stories
Leukaemia: It left our family in pieces
On the day Nidhi Raj were set to celebrate the birth of their son, their three-year-old, Kiaan was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Lymphoma: Amy opens door to a cure
Mum-of-three Amy found out on Christmas Eve she had a tumour in her chest.
Lymphoma: Rare blood cancer keeps Kyle from his beloved soccer
Kyle went to hospital with a swollen knee, but his family never suspected the cause of the swelling could be cancer.
Leukaemia: It was like going through the four seasons
Brendan was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia just three days before his 40th birthday.
Lymphoma: I'm thankful for a 'new normal' after my needle in haystack match
Tommy was diagnosed with a rare type of lymphoma after suffering an epileptic seizure.
Lymphoma: Shock diagnosis three days before wedding
Mick Zuvelek was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma only three days before his wedding.
Aplastic anaemia: No easy ride
Instead of finishing high school and hanging out with her friends, 16-year-old Jessie was fighting a life-threatening blood disorder.
Lymphoma: new drug gave Chris another chance
“My wife was heavily pregnant when I had my second transplant.”
Waldenstrom's: Peter's promising clinical trial results
When Victorian vet Peter Younis relapsed, he opted to try a clinical trial for a targeted therapy rather than having more chemo.
Leukaemia: "I was diagnosed with CML then found out I was pregnant"
“We made the decision to go through with having the baby, and then we reached out to the Leukaemia Foundation.”
Leukaemia: Little Lucia a precious gift
After a bone marrow transplant Tegan’s dream of having a baby were realised when her sister donated her eggs.
Myeloma: My 100 day journal kept me sane
Renowned Tasmanian illustrator and animator Tony Thorne put his artistic skills to good use during treatment, creating a 100 day visual journal about his experience.
Leukaemia: With strength, support, and love we got through it
Jeremy had never had a health scare in his life before being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Amyloidosis and myeloma: Diagnosed day before 66th birthday
Janette Elson was living a happy life in a sleepy beachside haven near Bundaberg when life took an unexpected turn.
A family's worst fears confirmed on Christmas Day
No 4-year-old should spend Christmas Day in an emergency ward.
After leukaemia: I look at life through different eyes
While on a quiet camping holiday, Richard received a surprise phone call from his GP that would change his life forever.
Leukaemia: diagnosed four days before Christmas
Ashley’s three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with ALL just days before Christmas.
Caring for my 40-year-old son with blood cancer
Lynn can offer a unique perspective on blood cancer that most carers don’t experience.
Leukaemia: Mackenzie's story
Mackenzie began a brave struggle with blood cancer aged just five.
Myeloma: My life became more precious to me
“I knew nothing about myeloma – I had no idea what it was.”
Myeloma: I am ready to enjoy each day more
In a bizarre twist of fate, one of Australia’s leading stem cell researchers had to have a transplant of his own.
From stuntman to stem cells
Nigel was working as a stuntman on the set of “The Matrix” when a routine blood test turned his action-packed life upside down.
I've beaten a heart attack and CML
Since Chris’ CML diagnosis, he’s had three different treatments, endured debilitating side-effects, and has taken part in an international clinical trial.
Leukaemia: It changed everything
For Earlene and her family, it felt like, “A punch in the face. It came from nowhere”.
From blood cancer to Blood Buddy
At 28, Amy was a healthy and outdoor-loving girl; a volunteer fire fighter who also competed in her local dressage championships.
Leukaemia: Superhero Bayley is beating the blood cancer bad guy
In 2014, the McKinnon’s lives took a dramatic turn with the news their six-year-old son, Bayley, had leukaemia.
Growing stronger but taking nothing for granted
Lyn Chiozzini’s leukaemia diagnosis meant leaving behind loved ones for months of treatment.
MPN: I wouldn’t change life for quids
Lesley Royle has been dealing with an MPN diagnosis for 22 years.
Hakuna Matata: Will’s philosophy
Christmas Day: while most people were opening presents and relaxing with family, five-year-old Will was about to undergo a stem cell transplant.
Leukaemia: I was a 15-year-old fighting for my life
Jess was halfway through Year 11 and enjoying life as a teenager when she was diagnosed with leukaemia.
I wanted to let my story help others
Brisbane dad Perry Judd jumped at the chance “to play a part in making someone’s journey a little bit easier”, and became a Blood Buddy.
Leukaemia: From clinical trial to remission
Dr John Rogers is one of the first Australians with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) to successfully stop treatment on a venetoclax clinical trial.
Lymphoma: My worst and best experience
“Cancer has been a journey I’ll never forget. The shortest and yet the longest year of my life. The worst and best experience.”
Myeloma: I had a wig made for my son's wedding
Denyse’s sore back was the first real hint that something wasn’t right.
Leukaemia: Happy for second chance to be Mum
Fiona was on her way to collect her daughter Kate from primary school when she received the call from her doctor.
GVHD: Our life is just another version of normal
Blood cancer was a devastating blow for Martin Leicht, but what he’s achieved since is testament to his determination.
Leukaemia: Two transfusions to make daughter's wedding
Three days before Jessica’s wedding, her dad was hospitalised. But Des was determined to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Myeloma: I thought I'd never see Dad again
Doctors told Michael to ‘get his affairs in order’ and prepare for the possibility of not making it to Christmas.
Lymphoma: Shock at cancer covering windpipe
It has been a difficult journey for Jessica Harbridge, who was diagnosed with T lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare blood cancer.
Leukaemia: Josh 'hit cancer on the head' to get family home
Three years after starting treatment for leukaemia, Josh Sullivan is back to working the family farm.
HLH: Kai's courageous battle with rare disorder
At only two years old, Kai was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Childhood leukaemia: Lizzie’s still laughing despite battle
Lizzie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia a month before her second birthday.
Leukaemia: The doctor rang me and said, "I'm sorry"
Brendan didn’t know anything about blood cancer when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Leukaemia: My world was turned upside down
“I was a fit 23-year-old working in the mines when I was told I had acute promyelocytic leukaemia.”
Waldenstrom’s: I've learned as much as possible about my illness
Peter is very involved with WMozzies, an online support group for patients with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinaemia.
Leukaemia: I felt like I was having a bad dream
Jack’s parents found out four days before Christmas that he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Leukaemia: She was only six hours old
“We found out Maggie had acute myeloid leukaemia six hours after she was born.”
Lymphoma: I am now a happier, more fulfilled person
After completing her Hodgkin lymphoma treatment, Marnie dealt with many issues that are common among survivors.
Leukaemia: Our world came to a grinding halt
Father of three Clynton was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and needed a stem cell transplant.
Leukaemia: I am a survivor
Hours after she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, Bronte was flown to Brisbane to begin treatment.
Myeloma: There is a light at the end of the tunnel
After tests shows that Mark’s kidneys were failing, he was diagnosed with myeloma.
Lymphoma: Challenges bring moments for growth and learning
After experiencing many typical symptoms, Julie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Amyloidosis: I wondered whether I would die
“Further tests and a renal biopsy finally identified AL amyloidosis affecting my heart and kidneys.”
Leukaemia: Set mini goals every day
A visit to the doctor for a routine appointment led Sharon to be diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Leukaemia: Family and my doctor's support got me through it
Dean’s acute myeloid leukaemia was found after he had a bone marrow aspirate test.