Stories - Leukaemia Foundation

The Leukaemia Foundation welcomes Australian Government decision to ban using adverse genetic testing results in life insurance

The Leukaemia Foundation welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to ban the use of adverse genetic testing results in life insurance.

Advocacy and policy

World Marrow Donor Day 2024

Leukaemia Foundation staff come together to raise awareness for the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), and the need for more Australians to register

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Advocacy and policy
Treatments and side-effects

‘Made me the person I am today’

After living with the disease for almost the entirety of her teenage and adult life, 23-year-old Siobhan Hoy is no stranger to the long-term side effects of blood cancer.

Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Regional Resilience

Michael Burridge candidly shares his experience living with blood cancer and the emotional and physical journey following his diagnosis with myeloma.

Myeloma
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

From nurse to patient

Rosie Proctor had just moved in with her partner and was living out her dream career as a nurse on the Gold Coast. Then a shock blood cancer diagnosis turned her from caregiver to patient at the very hospital where she worked.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: From Leukaemia Diagnosis to Finding Hope and Humor

Siobhan Hoy discusses her experiences living with blood cancer and the aftermath of her treatment, including the challenges she faced, such as the development of graft versus host disease.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: From Patient to Nurse

Rosie Proctor recounts her journey with acute myeloid leukaemia, including pain in her hip and a high fever, leading to her diagnosis, on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

Research news – August 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a revolutionary new type of treatment that ‘trains’ a patient’s own immune cells to seek out and kill cancer.

Research

“Keep smiling”

After nearly seven years in remission, Sage Wilder reflects on the power of positivity, finding love, and becoming a father.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Compassion, Humour, and Care

Dr Ralph McConaghy discusses the important topic of having early conversations about serious illness and end-of-life decisions on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Support services

It took six months to diagnose Kerry’s blood cancer – sadly, she’s not alone

Kerry Boyenga was diagnosed with Australia’s most common type of blood cancer. But she said it wasn’t even on her GP’s radar.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Treatments and side-effects

Shock diagnosis, newfound willpower

Kish Modi is facing the momentous task of managing a blood cancer diagnosis. But even with so much on his plate, he’s somehow finding every way in his power to raise awareness.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
Our supporters
Treatments and side-effects

Carlia Van Den Hoek is living proof of the barriers that many face when diagnosed with blood cancer

Despite advancements in care, there remains a troubling cancer health divide affecting many different communities across the country. A divide that 32-year-old Carlia Van Den Hoek knows all too well.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Overcoming ALL

Rugby player Sage shares his ALL diagnosis, treatment journey, and recovery mindset on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

“Live life to the fullest”: Josh Gourlay opens up about returning to work and new beginnings after blood cancer

While a shock blood cancer diagnosis put 34-year-old Josh Gourlay’s life temporarily on hold, it also presented him with a new mindset, and new opportunities.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Estate planning and medical directives

Discover estate planning essentials for blood cancer patients with Eleanor Davis on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Support services

Running for a Cause: Cal Gates’ Journey from Newcastle to Sydney on foot in one weekend

In the face of adversity some people rise to the occasion with remarkable strength and determination. Cal Gates is one such individual. His story is one of inspiration, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the fight against blood cancer.

Our supporters

World Blood Cancer Day 2024

Discover more about the latest developments in stem cell transplants.

bone marrow transplant
Research
Treatments and side-effects

Kish Modi’s AML journey and GoFundMe fundraiser

My name is Kish, I’m a 35-year-old who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in October last year. There were no warning signs – things just hit, very suddenly.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
bone marrow transplant
chemotherapy
Our supporters
Treatments and side-effects

Feeling tired all the time because of cancer

Discover how cancer fatigue impacts daily life and learn ways to manage feeling tired all the time due to cancer. Explore Neda's inspiring story.

chemotherapy
Myeloma
Treatments and side-effects