Stories - Leukaemia Foundation

“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: Joshua’s journey

Discover Joshua's inspiring journey with blood cancer and how Leukaemia Foundation support helped him find happiness and new beginnings. Listen now!

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Support services

Talking Blood Cancer: Finding Strength

Join Nerys Welch's journey through acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) / acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) loss and parenting 3 kids. Discover her solace in the Leukaemia Foundation's supportive online community.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia

Talking Blood Cancer: Mother-Daughter Cancer Warriors

Join Kate Arkadieff and Theresa Webb as they delve into non-Hodgkin's lymphoma & acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (leukemia) journeys for patients and families on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by Leukaemia Foundation.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Theresa Webb: ‘I’ve always been a survivor’

Blood cancer casts a long shadow over many Australian families, but for Theresa Webb and her family, its shadow has been longer than most. Theresa was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2002 after discovering a small hard lump near her collarbone. A biopsy revealed the then 30-year-old had a type of blood cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Carers
Lifestyle and living well
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Theresa with her daughters, Summer and Jessi, on the day of her stem cell transplant

In her grief, Nerys is finding “little bits of joy” again

For Nerys Welch, “grief sucks” in so many ways. And she says, “it never goes away”.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Grief and loss

Nerys, Richard and the kids at their house

Fertility, family and blood cancer

Sage and Sophie had to quickly make decisions about fertility and whether to start their respective families in the future – all within days of receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia
Lifestyle and living well

Diagnosed at 5 weeks old: Zoe’s remarkable story

In this episode, Kate speaks with Ping, whose daughter Zoe was diagnosed with infant pre B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just 5 weeks old. Zoe is now nearly 5 years old and is in remission and at school. Zoe's mother, Ping, shares what it was like to walk the blood cancer journey with a child so young, and how the family travelled around the world to save Zoe's life.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Expert Series: Dr Michael Osborn discusses all aspects of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

More than 80% of children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are successfully treated today – an achievement deemed by Dr Michael Osborn as “one of the true success stories of modern medicine”.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Interviews with experts
Research

Nikita’s three now and in remission which is “truly a miracle”

When Nikita was born with leukaemia in August 2019 his parents were told he probably wouldn’t survive; his chances being only 4%.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Planned clinical trial offers access to new therapy for rare acute leukaemia

Professor David Curtis has focused his research on searching for new ways to treat early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ETP-ALL) which he describes as “a nasty type of leukaemia”.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Clinical trials
Research

Expert Series: with Professor David Curtis

The ability to use haploidentical donors, or half matched donors, is the most important recent development in stem cell transplantation, says world leader in transplant research, Professor David Curtis.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Interviews with experts
Research

Innovative new international trial for relapsed paediatric ALL opens soon

A clinical trial, due to open in mid-2022, will give young people access to two promising new ALL drugs.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Clinical trials
Research

Illustration of a microscope, test tubes, and clipboard

How Sandra kept her family together through childhood leukaemia

Mother and psychologist, Sandra Evans shares the story of when her eldest daughter, Tahlia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at age four. Sandra discusses how she and her husband, Randall, managed their broader family and finances. She recounts the time of diagnosis and treatment, and her experiences with doctors.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Support for submission to MSAC for MRD testing reimbursement in ALL

Last updated on February 22nd, 2022Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment […]

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Treatments and side-effects

Diagnosed with leukaemia as a newborn

Zoe Li was a healthy baby when she was born, but five weeks later her parents were told the shocking news… she had leukaemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Helen’s steps to a gift in Will

Helen has no idea how many kilometres she walked with her beloved pooch Prinnie for over 15 years collecting for the Leukaemia Foundation Doorknock campaign. But she does know every step was worth it to help save the lives of children with blood cancer – like her young friend, Rachel, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1991.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Our supporters

Will’s first Father’s Day after beating blood cancer

After beating blood cancer and becoming a first-time dad, Will decided to take care of his mental health.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Will with his wife Sarah, holding their son Leo

Nick’s double blood cancer diagnosis and regaining hope

Diagnosed with two blood cancers, Nick's world changed instantly. Then transplant complications challenged him in ways he didn't expect.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Chronic myeloid leukaemia

Edward’s legacy secured with a gift in will

Edward Rhoades and his mum, Jan, knew they wanted to give others impacted by blood cancer a brighter future after he suffered from the debilitating side-effects of a stem cell transplant, to which he eventually lost his life.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Our supporters