Consumer Engagement Program News

July 2024 – snapshot of consumer involvement

Below are some highlights from members of the Consumer Engagement Program where we hear first-hand what their experience and involvement has meant for them.
 

Belinda

Belinda was involved in a consumer activity in May 2024 as she spoke in front of a room full of supporters to our cause, organised by our Member Branch in Warwick, QLD.

‘In May 2024 I was invited to speak at the Lavender Morning Tea run by the Warwick branch of the Leukaemia Foundation. It was a very special event, and I was treated like a VIP. I spoke of my experience with my husband through 11 years of a blood cancer before he died in 2021. I was able to share how much we both valued the LF’s support through those years and what that meant to us and our extended family. LF helped us both financially, with housing close to the hospital when we needed it as well as funding research for most of the treatments my husband had in those 11 years.

I have supplied a photo of John-Michael and I on our wedding day in 2008, a mere 12 months before he was diagnosed.’

Wayne Douglas

Wayne joined the Consumer Engagement Group last year and was more than happy to team up with our Business Partnerships Team, which has forged a new partnership with Norstar Steel Recyclers. Wayne shared his patient journey with our new partner, and they have embedded his story into their website so as to highlight the impact of Leukaemia Foundation.

‘Earlier this year I was re-connected with the Leukaemia Foundation and Norstar to correspond my journey with myeloma. I have been fortunate to have received wonderful support and encouragement from the Leukaemia Foundation. Hopefully my story inspires and encourages support for the Leukaemia Foundation, to find a cure for all blood cancers.’

Jenny Nixon

Jenny responded to a call-out for someone to speak at our internal organisation-wide meeting to launch our Online Support Service (OSS). It was themed around ‘cancer-related fatigue’ and she shared her story and how fatigue impacts her life.

‘I was still suffering from cancer- related fatigue after my first transplant in 2018, due to myelodysplasia, when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2022. After transplant number two my fatigue became worse. When the Leukaemia Foundation approached me to speak about cancer- related fatigue versus “normal” fatigue at an online meeting, I didn’t hesitate. It’s something we need to educate family, friends and the public about as it’s rarely understood.’

Eve Cossette

Eve had a recent engagement helping to facilitate our webinar delivery.

‘Last May, I participated in the Grief and Loss Webinar which allowed me to talk about my experience as a young adult diagnosed with cancer. As my first time speaking about my story publicly, I was able to mention how grief and loss have impacted different aspects of my journey. Grief and loss appear in so many ways for people living with cancer, and it is important to make light of it.’