September is Blood Cancer Month
Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma – they all matter to us. We’re here for people with any blood cancer, every step of the way.
This September, the Leukaemia Foundation is firmly focused on connecting Australia’s blood cancer community with a strong, singular message:
You are not alone.
During Blood Cancer Awareness Month and beyond, the Leukaemia Foundation encourages all Australians living with blood cancer and their loved ones to connect with Australia’s only dedicated blood cancer support line.
The latest research confirms access to the right information and supportive care can lead to a better quality of life and a higher chance of survival. To learn more about how blood cancer impacts all Australians, complete our blood cancer quiz here.
Our experienced blood cancer support professionals are here to guide and support anyone impacted by blood cancer through diagnosis, treatment and far beyond. Call our dedicated blood cancer support line on 1800 620 420 (available 10am – 4pm AEST) or submit an online request form:
For Patients, Carers & Families
For Health Care Professionals
This is Blood Cancer
We’re honoured to be working with Leukaemia Foundation ambassadors throughout September and beyond to amplify our campaign and raise awareness of one of the world’s most prevalent and dangerous cancers: blood cancer.
Our ambassadors are generously sharing their lived experiences, highlighting the 2023 Blood Cancer Month theme of This Is Blood Cancer.
Barry Du Bois
TV personality Barry Du Bois (renowned for co-hosting Channel 10's The Living Room) has been diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable type of blood cancer. He underwent a series of challenging treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and a blood stem cell transplant, and is partnering with the Leukaemia Foundation to ensure every Australian who hears the words "you have blood cancer” receives the best treatment, care, and support regardless of where they live.
Barry is also a strong advocate of mental health support as an ambassador for RU OK? Day.
Luke Brattan
Luke Brattan is a professional footballer who plays for Sydney FC. He's no stranger to both blood cancer and the Leukaemia Foundation, having shaved his head for World’s Greatest Shave three times! After multiple team-ups with the organisation, he is now a national ambassador.
Luke’s sister, Holli-Mia, was diagnosed with mixed phenotype acute leukaemia in 2019. She spent many months undergoing treatment and, thankfully, is now in remission.
Luke has also lost a close friend to blood cancer and is passionate about raising blood cancer awareness. He encourages all families facing blood cancer to call Australia's blood cancer support line.
Lyndey Milan OAM
In 2011, Lyndey experienced one of the darkest moments of blood cancer when she lost her son Blair, a talented young actor, to acute myeloid leukaemia.
A familiar face on television and in print, Lyndey has been instrumental in changing the way Australians think about food for four decades via her best-selling cookbooks, Channel 9 TV series and influence as former food director of the iconic Australian Women’s Weekly.
As a Leukaemia Foundation national ambassador, Lyndey is sharing her story to increase awareness of blood cancer signs and symptoms, so no other family loses a loved one to blood cancer.
Matthew Doyle
Matthew Doyle is a descendant of the Muruwari people from the Lightning Ridge area of NSW; he grew up on the lands of the Dharawal and Gadigal people of Sydney. Matthew is a professional musician, composer, dancer, choreographer, cultural consultant, and educator, with a passion for passing on and sharing cultural knowledge of the Sydney clans. Matthew tragically lost his twin sons Shawn and Jeremy to blood cancer.
Matthew hopes to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood cancer in First Nations communities through First Nations booklets available here and urges Indigenous Australians living with blood cancer to call Australia's blood cancer support line.
Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey is a honey-loving bear who lives in his Tree House in the Magic Forest. He first appeared on television in 1965, and after almost 50 years on TV, Humphrey continues to inspire and entertain families at events nationwide. Craig Kocinski is one of the guardians of the Humphrey brand, and both of his parents are blood cancer survivors.
The Leukaemia Foundation was there for Craig's family with emotional support and accommodation; support Craig describes as life-changing.
Humphrey and Craig are joining forces with the Leukaemia Foundation to let children, parents and grandparents know that they are not alone during a blood cancer diagnosis.
Briony Benjamin
At 31 years old, Briony Benjamin was fit and healthy. She played touch footy and squash twice a week before sadly being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in 2017. Briony is a passionate storyteller, content creator, motivational speaker and author of the book and journal ‘Life is Tough But So Are You’. Briony believes that because HL can be so hard to spot, it’s especially important to listen to your body and to act when something doesn’t feel right.
Briony's sharing her story to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of lymphoma and encourages all Australians living with the disease to reach out to Australia’s blood cancer support line.
Elle Halliwell
Elle Halliwell is an Australian writer, entrepreneur and wellness advocate. After forging a successful career as one of Australia’s most prominent voices in fashion, lifestyle and entertainment, Elle’s life changed forever in 2016. Within the space of just 48 hours, she was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer, chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and discovered she was pregnant with her first child.
Now blessed with her beautiful son, Tor, Elle hopes to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of blood cancer and encourages Australians living with this disease to call the blood cancer support line.
Urvi Majumdar
Urvi Majumdar is a comedian, writer, actor and producer. She is a regular guest on Triple R and has been a writer for Ch 10's The Project and ABC's The Weekly. Urvi took part in World’s Greatest Shave this year and is a strong supporter of the Leukaemia Foundation's goal to reach zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035. This follows her father's acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosis last year.
Urvi was her father's stem cell donor. She aims to highlight the importance of being a donor while also raising awareness of blood cancer signs and symptoms.
Connect with your blood cancer community
We’re here for you. There are many ways to connect and find support.
The Leukaemia Foundation offers life-changing, wraparound health services for anyone impacted by blood cancer, including patients, their family and friends. Connect in one of the ways below or call Australia’s dedicated blood cancer support line on 1800 620 420