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.
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
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
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
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
- 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
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
Expert Series: AProf. Michael Dickinson discusses CAR T-cell therapy
Associate Professor Michael Dickinson says CAR T-cell therapy is a 'revolutionary step forward'.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Interviews with experts
- Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Research
- Treatments and side-effects
Reconciliation Week
We stand with Indigenous Australians to close the gap in health. We know we need to do better for our First Nations people living with blood cancer.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Other blood cancers
- Support services
Childhood blood cancer through a mother’s eyes
This Mother’s Day, and every day, we recognise the incredible mothers and mother-figures within our community. One of these mums is Andrea Houston whose four-year-old daughter, Emily, is currently battling an aggressive blood cancer.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
