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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.

My voice matters

In 2017, Yani Zhao was on an incredible high after competing in the national powerlifting championships. The next day, she was diagnosed with blood cancer.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Advocacy and policy
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Christie Yu had the world at her feet

After numerous setbacks, Christie had to slowly transition back to her studies not once but twice. This forced her to make a tough decision that would shape the rest of her career.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • fatigue
  • Treatments and side-effects
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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
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Blood cancer ride proves Perry’s toughest race

As Perry Judd slowly pedalled over the finishing line at the prestigious Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic in 2013, supposedly in the form of his life but somehow lagging far behind the competition, he knew something wasn’t right. Physically exhausted, Perry feared he had glandular fever, but a blood test revealed something much more dangerous. The then 37-year-old explained: “I had a call from the GP: ‘Please come and see me, we need to talk urgently. You need to come in right away’.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Treatments and side-effects
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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
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Sage and Milly holding baby Ziggy

From a cattle farmer and mother of three to an AML diagnosis: Regina’s story

Last updated on December 4th, 2024Developed 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 myeloid leukaemia
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Talking Blood Cancer

‘It’s about life around the disease’: Tim’s story

To kick off Season Two, we chat to Tim Keen who was 34 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML). Tim shares his story through diagnosis, relapse, and treatment, where he underwent two autologous transplants and arsnic treatment.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Regina’s new life is about making memories with her girls

The week before Regina Batten’s wedding, in August 2017, she was diagnosed with AML. She had just celebrated her 30th birthday and was about to marry the father of her three children.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Regina Batten and her girls

Expert Series: Dr Cameron Curley on transplantation and CAR-T therapy

Dr Cameron Curley describes CAR T-cell therapy as “arguably the biggest breakthrough in the treatment of many blood cancers in the last decade”. 

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Interviews with experts
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Dr Cameron Curley

Lauren faced two bone marrow transplants by age 23

Perth-based Lauren Menegola was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at age 21. After a number of gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, Lauren underwent an unrelated bone marrow transplant. Just as life was getting back on track for Lauren, she was told that she had relapsed - just 11 months after her bone marrow transplant. Lauren was angry and was scared for the challenge that lay ahead of her. The challenge was to search across the world for a bone marrow match, and they had to search high and low. Lauren's story is a remarkable one which really shows the power of the human spirit - and having a supportive network rallying behind you.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Talking Blood Cancer

Clinton and the power of the mind

Clinton Parmenter was living life in the fast lane — socialising with friends,  spending time with his family and working hard in his job. He "barely ever came up for a breath of air". When one day, his life was turned on its head when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. In this interview, Clinton discusses his experience in choosing to go ahead with an allogeneic stem cell transplant. He also shares how he harnessed a positive mindset throughout his journey.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Talking Blood Cancer

Diagnosed at 29 years old

29-year-old Sophie Patnicroft-Gray had recently moved from the UK to Adelaide, where she was working and planning to travel, when a routine blood test showed that there was something "a bit off". Then, out of left-field, Sophie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Sophie shares the emotional struggles she faced as a young adult diagnosed with a blood cancer. Sophie also discusses her challenges with fatigue, and how she embraced exercise to improve her health and wellbeing.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Talking Blood Cancer

Jane’s had three different cancer diagnoses in two years

Last updated on July 20th, 2022 Developed 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, […]

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Treatments and side-effects
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Jane Alder and Violet

From wife to carer

When Roxanne's husband Brendan was diagnosed with, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), Roxanne had no idea that when she packed an overnight bag for Brendan that he would be in hospital for months having treatment. Our host, and one of the Leukaemia Foundation's Blood Cancer Support Coordinators Kate Arkadieff speaks with Roxanne about what it was like to live in regional Queensland and care for someone with a blood cancer, and how she supported her family through the journey and beyond.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Carers
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Talking Blood Cancer

How a motorbike accident led to a blood cancer diagnosis

Brendan Hodda had just embarked on the trip of a lifetime for his 40th birthday. He was to ride his motorbike from Rockhampton to Cape York, when he fell off his bike on the first day of the trip. It wasn't until after three surgeries on a broken arm and further tests that Brendan received the news – he had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
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Talking Blood Cancer

Kirsty Everett defied the odds and survived blood cancer – twice

Kirsty Everett was just nine years old when she was diagnosed with childhood acute myeloid leukaemia. Then, seven years later, at just 16 years old, Kirsty relapsed again. Kirsty discusses what it was like to be diagnosed with childhood leukaemia, how she got through chemotherapy, and how she has harnessed this experience to inspire her purpose.

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
Read more
Talking Blood Cancer


Last updated on February 9th, 2023

Developed 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 and answers to your medical questions, including the suitability of a particular therapy, service, product or treatment in your circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation shall not bear any liability for any person relying on the materials contained on this website.