Thank you for completing the Cancer Calculator
Based on your answers, you’re unlikely to have an increased risk of financial stress if you were diagnosed with blood cancer.
However, one in three blood cancer patients do face financial hardship after a diagnosis. In fact, the average out-of-pocket costs for blood cancer range from $5,000 to $11,000, compared to about $2,500 for other cancers.
Understanding Financial Stress
When you’re diagnosed with blood cancer it will often mean an immediate increase in indirect expenses like travel, accommodation and childcare. The impact of these out-of-pocket costs can be exacerbated by a loss of income as patients and carers are forced to take time off work.
People can then be forced to draw on their savings, borrow more or access their superannuation leading to long-term financial stress, even after treatment is completed.
Families living in regional or rural Australia with limited savings often do it tougher than most.
We need your support
Demand for the Leukemia Foundation’s financial support has increased by a third during Australia’s cost of living crisis. We urgently need more funds to support those who have been pushed into financial hardship by a blood cancer diagnosis.
A donation to the Leukaemia Foundation will help families facing the high costs of blood cancer. Your support can make a difference.
We’re helping families like Alex, and his mum Breeanna
At just 21-months-old, Alex was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.
His regional family needed to relocate close to the hospital for life-saving treatment, but this came with immense financial pressures.
Last updated on July 9th, 2024
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.