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Stories

From real patient stories to tips on living well, hear firsthand from people who have faced blood cancer.

We’ve also got the latest research and advocacy news, as well as stories from our wonderful fundraisers and donors. You can subscribe to our e-newsletters and event news here.

Beauty and the Geek, and his Will

In 2022 Lachy joined the World’s Greatest Shave community, buzzing off his locks to raise funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation’s work. But what started out as an act of support for people living with blood cancer turned into something far more personal.

  • Our supporters
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Talking Blood Cancer: Life Beyond the Diagnosis

In this inaugural episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, our distinguished host Kate Arkadieff welcomes Peter Geary, a resolute myeloma patient and advocate, to share his profound journey since being diagnosed with asymptomatic myeloma in 2018. The episode begins with Peter recounting the moment of diagnosis and the subsequent "watch and wait" approach that marked the early days of his experience with blood cancer.

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Noel’s gift in will is a tribute to his family

When it came to writing his Will, Noel chose to leave a lasting legacy to the Leukaemia Foundation. With the naming of The Hurd Family Unit, the Leukaemia Foundation is delighted to recognise Noel’s kind-hearted bequest.

  • Our supporters
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How Sophie Gray found new meaning through blood cancer

After having a routine blood test, Sophie's GP told her that there was something “a bit off” in her results. With a plan to have another blood test in a month, Sophie flew back to the UK to spend time with family and friends, not giving it much more thought.

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Sophie Gray AML in treatment

Best and brightest researchers taking on leukaemia

Two leading blood cancer researchers hope to change the future of blood cancer treatment.

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Talking Blood Cancer: 2023 festive wrap-up

In this special Christmas wrap-up episode of Talking Blood Cancer, hosts Kate and Maryanne reflect on the stories and conversations shared in Season 3 of the podcast. We touch on various topics including feelings of happiness, managing fatigue, coping with infections, and pondering the essence of time. The festive season is a significant time, one that it can be both a time of celebration and reflection. We offer you wishes of love, health, and happiness for the upcoming year.

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Talking Blood Cancer

Talking Blood Cancer: Glenys Davidson’s Journey

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Vanessa is joined by guest Glenys Davidson to share her journey with acute myeloid leukaemia candidly. Vanessa reflects on the observation of people navigating through treatment at the facility where she is based, setting the stage for a real, raw conversation about the impact of blood cancer on patients and their support networks.

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Philanthropist Tom Shearer extends a helping hand

Tom Shearer grew up in Mannum, South Australia, a country town not far from Adelaide.  Tom enjoyed a happy childhood, raised by parents who held strong values, including a responsibility for helping people in need. The values instilled by Tom’s parents translated to his generous spirit, with Tom becoming a loyal supporter of the Leukaemia Foundation.

  • Our supporters
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Tom Shearer and his dog, Sam

There was never a moment anyone told me, “You are now disabled”

Christie Yu was 18 years old and studying pharmacy when she became run down, attributing it to balancing university and her other commitments.

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Simone Thomason on the need for further support for regional blood cancer patients

With 1/3 of blood cancer patients in our support program living in regional areas, the Leukaemia Foundation is working to provide additional support services to patients outside of metropolitan areas.

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Simone Thomason

Replacing ‘blunt-edged’ chemotherapy with targeted treatment

To save more lives from AML, we urgently need to look past standard chemotherapy toward new, more effective approaches to treatment. Supported by Tour de Cure, one of our inaugural Breakthrough Fellowship recipients, Dr Ashwin Unnikrishnan, is doing just that.

  • Research
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Dr Ashwin Unnikrishnan - Leukaemia Foundation Breakthrough Fellowship Recipient

Uncovering the secrets behind leukaemia treatment resistance

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer, which sees the body produce dangerous numbers of immature white blood cells. Supported by Tour de Cure, one of our inaugural Breakthrough Fellowship recipients, Dr Ashley Ng, is leading advanced research to improve our understanding of treatment-resistant ALL and develop new ways of beating it.

  • Research
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Dr Ashley Ng - Leukaemia Foundation Breakthrough Fellowship Recipient

A positive mindset and returning to work helped Harry!

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Talking Blood Cancer with Harrison Thompson

Giles Purbrick was diagnosed with blood cancer, days after becoming a father

>In January 2020, Giles and wife Jacqui welcomed their baby daughter into the world. But just days later, Giles was hit with a shock blood cancer diagnosis that turned everything on its head.

  • Lifestyle and living well
  • Research
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Giles Purbrick and his wife

AML survivor Sophie Gray shares how complementary therapies gave her the edge

Sophie was diagnosed with AML in 2019, aged 29. She had a stem cell transplant later the same year from an unrelated donor and has been in remission ever since. After leaning on her yoga and mindfulness practice heavily through her recovery, Sophie underwent her yoga teacher training and teaches in Adelaide. In this article the Leukaemia Foundation asked Sophie some questions about her experience with complementary therapies.

  • Lifestyle and living well
  • Research
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Sophie Gray using Complimentary Therapies

Professor David Joske talks to the Leukaemia Foundation about Complementary therapies

David Joske is a Clinical Haematologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth Western Australia. He was Head of Department 1994 - 2012 and a Medical Co-Director 2017-2021. In this story David Joske talks to the Leukaemia Foundation about Complementary therapies.

  • Lifestyle and living well
  • Research
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Professor David Joske

Lisa Smith CEO of Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry

  • Interviews with experts
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Lisa Smith, CEO - Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR)

Rare brain lymphoma needs more research and clinical trials

Access to clinical trials of novel treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy, could be a game changer for these patients, according to Dr Colm Keane. He is a clinical haematologist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and a brain lymphoma researcher at the University of Queensland's Frazer Institute.  

  • Clinical trials
  • Research
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Dr Colm Keane

Expert Series: Dr Sun Loo on measurable residual disease in remission and relapse

For Dr Sun Loo, being part of an innovative clinical trial is a perfect fit. It furthers research into her field of interest – measurable residual disease (MRD), and the blood cancer she is passionate about – acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Clinical haematologist and researcher, Dr Sun Loo

Spotlight on Professor Andrew Wei and the importance of clinical trials

Leukaemia researcher, Professor Andrew Wei hopes that clinical trials in the future will be routinely based on a new strategy of targeting measurable residual disease (MRD), commencing patients on treatment before clinical relapse.

  • Interviews with experts
  • Research
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Professor Andrew Wei, INTERCEPT clinical trial Chief Investigator