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National blood cancer taskforce meets

Monday September 30, 2019

The Leukaemia Foundation established the Blood Cancer Taskforce with the support of the Federal Government to develop Australia’s first National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer.

The Taskforce unites Australia’s leading haematologists, researchers, patients and members of the blood cancer ecosystem for the first time. Their role is to provide a blueprint to help tackle the key issues facing the blood cancer community today and into the future.

The formation of the Taskforce and development of the Plan mark a major milestone for the blood cancer community and will set the national agenda around blood cancer for many years to come.

They met for the first time on 30 September 2019, giving them the opportunity to discuss and agree on how they will achieve the publication and distribution of the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer Plan by June 2020.

The first step will see the formation of Working Groups led by members of the Taskforce to focus on key priorities identified in the State of the Nation: Blood Cancer in Australia report. These Working Groups will engage in consultation with key blood cancer stakeholders, review existing services, programs and literature, and commence the early stages of drafting the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer.

The members of the first National Blood Cancer Taskforce are:

  • Professor Sanchia Aranda AM
    CEO
    Cancer Council Australia
  • Dr Sharon Avery
    Haematologist
    Cairns Base Hospital
  • Dr John Bashford
    Director of Research
    Icon Group & PCPA
  • A/Professor Kate Burbury
    Consultant Haematologist;
    Deputy Chief Medical Officer
    Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
  • Dr Joe Collins
    Representative
    Lions Club International
  • Dr Michael Dickinson
    Haematologist and Disease Group Lead Aggressive Lymphoma (Peter MacCallum)
    Lymphoma Australia, Chair Medical Subcommittee
  • Dr Chris Fraser
    Chair Executive Council
    ANZCHOG
  • Professor Maher Gandhi
    CEO and Director of Clinical Research
    Mater Research
  • Professor David Gottlieb
    Program Director BMT, Head Cell Therapies
    Westmead Hospital
  • Barbie Hartigan
    Advocate
    Leukaemia Foundation Patient Support
  • Professor Tim Hughes
    Cancer Theme Leader
    SAHMRI
  • Dr Paul Jackson
    General Manager Knowledge Management
    Cancer Australia
  • Professor David Joske
    Chairperson
    Solaris Cancer Care
  • Melanie Kelly
    Director
    Insight Economics
  • Dr Rishi Kotecha
    Consultant Paediatric Oncologist & Clinical Haematologist
    Perth Children’s Hospital; ANZCHOG
  • A/Professor Steven Lane
    Head of Cancer Program
    QIMR Berghofer
  • Professor Paula Marlton
    Head of Leukaemia; Deputy Director Haematology
    Princess Alexandra Hospital
  • Dr Robert Menz
    SA&NT Council member
    RACGP
  • A/Professor Peter Mollee
    Director
    Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
  • Carmel O’Kane
    Cancer Nurse Practitioner; Vice President & Director Professional Practice
    Cancer Nurses Society of Australia
  • Leukaemia Foundation representative
  • Professor Miles Prince AM
    Director of Molecular Oncology and Cancer Immunology Epworth
    Snowdome Foundation; Myeloma Australia, Epworth Hospital
  • Professor Andrew Roberts
    Laboratory Head; Joint Leader, Cancer Research and Treatments Theme
    Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
  • Professor John Seymour AM
    Director: Department of Haematology
    Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & Royal Melbourne Hospital
  • Deborah Henderson
    Patient and advocate
    Blood Cancer Survivor
  • Dr Delaine Smith
    CEO
    Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
  • Elizabeth de Somer
    CEO
    Medicines Australia
  • Dr Meg Wall
    Unit Head, Genetics and Molecular Pathology
    Monash Pathology; Haematology Society of Australia & New Zealand
  • Dr Will Stevenson
    Haematologist
    Royal North Shore Hospital; Haematology Society of Australia & New Zealand
  • Richard Vines
    Chairman
    Rare Cancers Australia