Advocacy and policy
We’re championing the needs of Australians living with blood cancer
State of the Nation: Blood Cancers in Australia
Leukaemia Foundation policy submissions
Leukaemia Foundation Position Statements
Blood Cancer Taskforce
Federal Election 2025: Priorities for Blood Cancer
Optimal Care Pathways
This year, 20,044 Australians will be newly diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. This is equivalent to 55 people every day or one person every 26 minutes.
Every day, we advocate for better blood cancer policy, easier access to new and innovative medications and therapies, better diagnostics and, ultimately, better outcomes for patients. So that more people can survive blood cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.
And with three quarters of Australians unable to name even one of the blood cancer signs and symptoms, we continue to raise awareness and increase public knowledge of what to look for.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce the impact of blood cancer
In 2019, together with the Blood Cancer Taskforce, the Leukaemia Foundation was commissioned by the Australian Government to develop and deliver Australia’s first ever National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer on behalf of the blood cancer community. We also help to fast-track affordable access to innovative treatments by engaging with the Federal government and regulatory bodies.
In 2023, we made 13 submissions to relevant parliamentary inquiries and consultations to ensure that health policies, strategic plans, and reviews made by governments at all levels acknowledge and consider the unique challenges faced by people living with blood cancer in Australia.
Better treatments, better access
Over 2023-2024, we made 12 ‘consumer comment’ submissions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and Medical Services Advisory Committee supporting the listing of new blood cancer drugs and therapies on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) respectively. Listing on the PBS or MBS, or through other government funding agreements and schemes, allows patients easier and cheaper access to vital medications and therapies.
Cultivating the voice of people living with blood cancer
We have helped drive the evidence base for further reform by conducting the largest ever survey of blood cancer patients; State of the Nation: Blood Cancers in Australia. The report draws on the lived experiences of over 4,600 Australians living with blood cancer, and reveals that while gains are being made, lives are still unnecessarily lost due to inconsistencies in treatment.
Through our Lived Experience Engagement Program, we also sit down with people living with blood cancer and their families about 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.