A family tradition of giving: Adam’s special reason for fuelling better blood cancer care last Christmas

Diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, Adam knows first-hand the devastating impact of blood cancer. But after receiving life-changing support from the Leukaemia Foundation, he was inspired to give back to the organisation that was there for him when he needed it most. 

Just months after turning 21, Adam landed his first full-time job in cyber security, and he couldn’t have been more excited for the journey ahead.

But that excitement turned to devastation after a shock blood cancer diagnosis.

“Both my parents and my four younger siblings were deeply affected by my diagnosis. My dad, who is a GP, was quite involved in contacting haematologists he knew, and made sure I was seen as quickly as possible,” Adam recalls.

“My treatment lasted 2 years. I still see the hospital specialists frequently for reviews of my condition, but my health is as good as it can be.”

That first year was easily the hardest thing I have ever been through. I had a period where I could not eat or drink anything (including water) for two weeks because of a complication from chemotherapy.

“I could barely walk due to the effects of treatment. I slept sometimes 18 hours a day and could not leave my home because of COVID.

“Luckily, I had the support of my long-time friends and family. I lived with my mum, and my dad visited me every day, meaning he had to reduce his hours at his practice.”

Thanks to generous supporters like you, Adam also received personalised emotional support from the Leukaemia Foundation, and during the isolation of the COVID lockdowns, this meant everything to him.

“I received counselling and amenities support from the Leukaemia Foundation, and it mattered more than I expected,” Adam says.

Because of COVID I couldn’t leave home, and I didn’t have many people to talk to, so the counselling gave me somewhere to put what I was going through.

Although he wasn’t staying there, Adam could still access the gym at his nearest Leukaemia Foundation accommodation centre in Brisbane – the Leukaemia Foundation ESA Village in Dutton Park – something that made a real difference to his physical and mental wellbeing.

“Access to the gym gave me something to work towards when I could barely walk. I also got to meet other patients who were staying [at the accommodation] because they’d come from interstate or from regional or rural Australia.

Many of them couldn’t afford to rent somewhere in the city for months of treatment, so without the [Leukaemia Foundation] accommodation they simply wouldn’t have been able to stay close to the hospital.

“What I took from them is that the support isn’t a bonus. For a lot of people, it’s what makes treatment – and therefore the hope of recovery – possible.”

Giving back has always been important in Adam’s family. Every year, they have a Christmas tradition where they take turns picking a charity to donate to.

“This tradition started over a decade ago. We [take turns] each year to pick a charity close to our hearts. As part of my family’s Secret Santa, we each put $20 into a hat (which comes out of the gift budget) to donate to charity.

“This tradition means a lot to my family because many of us have dealt with struggles that relate to the various charities, and it feels good to give back.”

Last year, it was Adam’s turn. And he knew straight away which charity he was going to choose.

The Leukaemia Foundation came front of mind for me when it was my turn to pick. [They] do a lot of really good work to support blood cancer patients, and I felt very happy donating to them.

Having experienced first-hand the difference fundraising can make for people with blood cancer, Adam now sees giving back in a whole new light.

“My own experience has definitely changed the way my family and I think about supporting the people in our own lives through their various hardships,” Adam says.

“I strive to extend that [support] to all the people in my life by donating to fundraisers and charities my friends are supporting, participating in my own fundraisers, or even buying a meal for someone less fortunate.”

Today, Adam is in remission and is now a 25-year-old software engineer.

“I recently reached two huge life milestones. I got engaged, and I purchased a small unit in inner-Brisbane, which I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do after treatment, and after a year off from my career.

“I’m really ambitious, and I’m excited about the next few years. I’m a founding software engineer at a startup, and I’m throwing myself into growing it alongside the team.

“As for the wedding, we’re in no rush. My fiancé and I are happily settled in the unit I bought, along with our three cats, and we’re enjoying every part of the journey.”

For anyone considering donating to the Leukaemia Foundation’s Christmas Appeal, Adam has a simple yet powerful message to share.

“Many of the people and families I was in treatment with were far from home and couldn’t afford to rent in the city for the length of their treatment. The Leukaemia Foundation’s accommodation meant they could stay close to the hospital and get the care they needed.

“Whether your donation goes to research or to support services like that, it makes a real difference to people in the hardest years of their lives.”

This holiday season, many more people like Adam – who spent most of the holiday season in 2022 in a hospital bed – will also be forced to spend their Christmas away from home as they access critical blood cancer treatment. 

“At Christmas time in 2022, treatment hit me hard, and I missed out on so much time with friends and family,” Adam says.

“With COVID going around, I had to be extra careful as someone who was immunosuppressed, so it was a much quieter Christmas than I would have wanted. The following year made up for it, though. I spent Christmas in the Netherlands with my mum, my stepdad, and my four siblings, and it meant the world to me.”