Stories
From real patient stories to tips on living well, hear firsthand from people who have faced blood cancer.
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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
Physiotherapist and lymphoma survivor Julie Allen on cancer related fatigue
Discover how physiotherapist Julie Allen tackles cancer fatigue and lymphoma, enhancing the quality of life and survival for blood cancer patients.
- Interviews with experts
- 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
Lorie and Troy were on their way to the GP for results – hours later Lorie was in ICU
In February 2021, Lorie Sarson was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), putting her and husband Troy in immediate financial distress due to treatment and transport costs.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Expert Series: physiotherapist Julie Allen works with cancer patients to improve quality of life and survival
When Julie Allen was diagnosed with lymphoma as a young professional mum, she thought she'd go straight back to work after treatment. But afterwards she literally felt “stripped bare”.
- Interviews with experts
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Vicky’s two miracle babies post-treatment
Vicky Pellowe was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Vicky and her husband had only been married six months, both working long hours as FIFO workers in Western Australia. Vicky speaks about the shock of mental recovery post treatment - how to try and remain positive while experiencing fear of relapse, side effects, potential infertility, body changes and loss of employment or finances. She also speaks about the journey into motherhood and how she was blessed with two miracle babies post treatment, without IVF.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Diagnosed during the pandemic: Renae’s story
Picture this - it was the year 2021 and Melbourne had just come out of its 5th lockdown. Renae and her partner, Sam escaped the 5km radius and went to the beach. Renae remembers feeling a lump in her throat which she thought could have been tonsillitis. One doctor's visit changed Renae's life - she was diagnosed with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma. Renae talks about what it was like to be diagnosed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Melbourne, and how hospital restrictions impacted her support network during some of the toughest times of her treatment.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Graham’s treatment severely impacted his quality of life
Adelaide man Graham Lewis had two stem-cell transplants and was left with severe graft-versus-host disease. He believes the existence of OCPs would have greatly improved his quality of life.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Robin travelled 1,100km to receive a diagnosis
This episode tells the story of Robin Matthews. Robin is a dump truck diver from the APY Lands in far north South Australia, building roads for Indigenous communities. Robin was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma in 2021, and talks about what it was like to face a diagnosis in a rural area of Australia, just months after losing his wife to cancer. Robin shares how his family gave him strength in his darkest days and how finding a community within the Leukaemia Foundation helped him manage his diagnosis.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Esther considers herself “very lucky” she was diagnosed early
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Christina’s journey as carer
In December 2015, Christina was living in Byron Bay and studying at medical school, when her boyfriend at the time, singer-songwriter Timothy James Bowen was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In this episode, Christina reflects on how her knowledge as a doctor influenced how she managed her role as a carer, and how her life was impacted by Timothy's diagnosis. She discusses how important family was during this time and how they all rallied together to help Timothy.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
How blood cancer helped Esther find her authentic self
In 2016, Esther Xu’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Up to that point, Esther had led quite a smooth, high-achieving life, ticking off most of her parents’ wish list. Esther was living in Australia, but is originally from Shanghai in China. Not only did Esther have to deal with the physical effects of a blood cancer diagnosis, she also had to deal with the emotional and cultural complexities.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Coping with lymphoma and motherhood
Julie Allen lived with vague symptoms for quite some time – back pain, flu-like symptoms – but she explained these away with her busy life as a physiotherapist and mother of three young kids. But, after a few rounds of antibiotics, things didn't get better. Julie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Expert Series: Dr Piers Blombery on genomic testing
Dr Piers Blombery explains the basics of molecular testing which informs the treatment of blood cancer.
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Interviews with experts
- Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Research
- Treatments and side-effects
Improving infection prevention with drug optimisation
Julian Lindsay’s goal is to set up an international study aimed at improving survival and quality of life through drug optimisation.
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Research
- Treatments and side-effects
Study examines COVID-19 vaccine response in low-grade lymphoma
An Australian study will examine the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with the low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Research
PBAC to consider three lymphoma drugs
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Treatments and side-effects
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
My COVID-19 vaccine experience
Blood cancer survivor and midwife, Catherine Wheeler shares her experience being eligible for the Phase 1a COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
