Nearly 3 years on from her diagnosis, Lorri Veca became a regular giver – and reflects on what it means to give back to the very organisation that supported her when she needed it most.
In 2022, Lorri donated blood to save someone else’s life. Little did she know her donation would end up saving her own.
Following her visit to her local Lifeblood Donation Centre for a routine blood donation, some irregularities were spotted in Lorri’s blood. As a result, she was sent for some further tests.
“I went to donate blood in 2022, and having been my first time with them, had my blood tested and they found something to follow up with my GP,” Lorri recalls.
They thought it might have been hemochromatosis. Following further tests and a referral to a nephrologist, my nephrologist was concerned my blood count was very low as was my kidney function.
In October 2023, after a kidney and bone marrow biopsy, Lorri was told the devastating news that 55 Australians receive every day. She had blood cancer. The diagnosis was multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. Before she had time to process this information, she had to begin treatment.
If I had not gone to give blood, given the issues that were occurring, I wouldn’t have known I had blood cancer. I was admitted to hospital in October 2023 for further tests, scans and to begin treatment.
Both fortunately and unfortunately, her husband had had his own cancer journey previously – so she was somewhat familiar with what to expect.
But what she wasn’t expecting was how difficult it would be to tell loved ones the news.
The hardest thing was telling my sons when I got home from hospital. The sense of fear, uncertainty, sense of grief and loss you feel can be overwhelming.
Lorri also now has stage 4 chronic kidney disease, making her currently ineligible for a stem cell transplant.
As of July 2025, Lorri is on a monthly treatment plan.
“My doctor says I am almost in maintenance treatment as this is keeping my numbers low and stable. This will only change if my numbers change,” she says.
As with a lot of medications, there are issues with side effects but talking this through with the medical team helped, and we came up with some solutions to prevent some of this.”
“I have good and bad days, but for the most part, my days are good and I am grateful for the treatments available. I also follow the advice of healthy eating, being mindful to try and offset some of the toxicity of the treatments.
Lorri’s blood cancer journey has been a tough one – but thankfully, she hasn’t had to face it alone.
“While I was in hospital, I was given a list of support organisations for blood cancer patients. The Leukaemia Foundation was on this list,” Lorri recalls.
She visited the Leukaemia Foundation website and arranged for a Leukaemia Foundation Healthcare Professional to give her a call.
A beautiful lady called me back and listened to everything I had to say. She was compassionate and empathic, gave me some immediate suggestions, and also stated she would send me an email with some links. This meant so much at the time.”
“While on the website, I joined a couple of webinars and accessed the energy coach tool to help with suggestions on how to cope with the cancer-related fatigue I had been experiencing. This was such a great help as it helped me realise a number of us had lived with this.
Lorri also joined the Leukaemia Foundation’s Blood Cancer Consumer Engagement Program for people living with blood cancer including caregivers and their loved ones. Members of the group share the everyday issues they face, so that their lived experiences can help guide future action.
The group currently has certain eligibility requirements to ensure that people (or their loved one) who are going through active treatment, or people who are grieving or bereaved, can prioritise their health and wellbeing.
I was so grateful for the help I had received that I joined the Consumer Engagement Program when I was eligible. It has given me some sense of purpose again and helping my need to be of use.
The support Lorri received during her toughest moments inspired her to give back by becoming a member of The Giving Cell – the Leukaemia Foundation’s community of regular givers.
I know how vital support services and organisations are. It made perfect sense [to become a regular donor] as most of these organisations do not receive Government funding but do such vital work to support us – the cancer survivors.”
“When I joined The Giving Cell, I became aware of exactly how much the Leukaemia Foundation does to support cancer survivors and their families.
I love that my donations go towards the work we cancer survivors need.
Lorri also has a message for anyone considering becoming a regular giver to the Leukaemia Foundation.
“If you are thinking of donating to a charity, please consider the Leukaemia Foundation. The Leukaemia Foundation make it very easy to join The Giving Cell and make a regular monthly donation [that is right for] your own personal situation,” she says.
I know personally the good work this wonderful organisation does, and your generosity can help them continue with their research and advocacy to try and find cures for some of these cancers.
Lorri currently lives with her husband Tony in Hervey Bay, QLD, and is still in monthly treatment.
I’m doing much better with the support of the Leukaemia Foundation and my amazing family. I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful place beside the ocean. I am mentally and emotionally doing much better and finding my voice to become my own advocate.”
“I have my wonderful children, stepchildren and grandchildren who I’m in regular contact with, and another grandchild due in September. I look to the positives to get me through my days and there are many blessings in my life.
As she reflects on her blood cancer experience to date, Lorri underscores the importance of patients connecting with others navigating similar struggles.
“Being diagnosed with any cancer is scary, confronting, and contains a lot of unknowns. Ask questions, reach out for help and remember, you are never alone. Many of us live with these cancers and there is a lot of support out there including the Leukaemia Foundation,” she says.
Speak to one of the lovely Leukaemia Foundation Healthcare Professionals who can talk you through the start of your journey, helping you understand the longer-term implications of both the cancer and treatment.”
“And jump on the webinars! You will learn a lot and also meet others like you. These are so good to speak with others who are going through the same thing as you, knowing you are not alone.”
“And if you need further help, reach out to the Leukaemia Foundation directly. I did, and I never regretted it.
Learn more about The Giving Cell or becoming a regular giver.
