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Your impact 2025

Thank you for standing with us in the fight against blood cancer.

Your unwavering support continues to make an incredible impact. Because of you, we’re providing crucial services to families in need, funding groundbreaking research and taking bold steps toward a future where no-one has to fear blood cancer.

Your generosity is fuelling hope and progress

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti

A message from the CEO

I hope you enjoy reading how your support is funding bold research to tackle blood cancer and the real difference it is making to the blood cancer community.

Every breakthrough brings us closer to achieving our mission: zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your continued support means the world.

With gratitude,

Chris Tanti
CEO, Leukaemia Foundation

You’re funding the race for more effective treatments

Cracking the code of treatment resistance

Imagine facing a blood cancer so aggressive in adults that it can threaten both survival and quality of life. That’s the reality of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a difficult to treat cancer diagnosed in more than a thousand Australians each year.

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But there’s hope on the horizon in the form of a novel treatment that targets a crucial protein called menin, which is vital for some leukaemia cells to grow. There’s a catch though: some AML cells find stealthy ways to resist this life-saving therapy, causing treatments to lose their power over time.

Thanks to your support, researchers like Dr Rithin Sam Roy Nedumannil are on a quest to outsmart these cancer cells.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Each year roughly 1,200 Australians are diagnosed with AML. Its causes remain largely unknown.

Breakthrough potential

Using state-of-the-art genetic technology, Dr Nedumannil and his team of researchers are diving deep into the DNA of resistant cells to uncover their secrets.

What genetic changes allow these cells to survive despite the powerful menin-targeting therapy? Cracking this mystery could very well change the game for AML treatment.

Not just funding science—you’re transforming lives. By unlocking the secrets of resistance, Dr Nedumannil’s research aims to open the door to new therapies that work for longer and hit harder. For patients with menin-dependent AML, this could mean better treatments, brighter futures, and more time to embrace life’s important moments.

Dr Nedumannil’s was one of three prestigious PhD scholarships we awarded this year, in partnership with the Haematology Society of Australia & New Zealand.

Although these are early stages, the potential impact is huge. If successful, this research could transform the way AML responds to treatment in the future.

Your generosity makes this cutting-edge research possible.

Finding strength and hope after a life-changing diagnosis

For Kish, the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) came as a shocking blow. Living an active life, he was blindsided by the sudden onset of this aggressive blood cancer.

“It was one of the most surreal moments of my life,” Kish recalls. “It almost felt like it wasn’t happening to me.”

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“We both wanted to ensure that when we are gone, a percentage of our estate is donated to help others who are still diagnosed every day,” Belinda says.

His symptoms – bruising, fatigue and weight loss – hinted at something serious, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality.

Reflecting on his struggle, he shares: “You have all these emotions running through you. You’re anxious, sad, confused, and most of all, you’re scared.” The long hospital stays and demanding treatment took a toll, yet Kish found strength by focusing on his family and the support around him.

“I think cancer really gives you an appreciation for the little things in life and to never take those little things for granted,” he says. These moments of gratitude became his source of strength.

“I was in the fight of my life, but the support I received was incredible and something I’ll never forget.”

Kish’s journey demonstrates the resilience required to face blood cancer. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we can support patients like Kish today while funding research to develop new and effective treatments for them in the future.

Thank you for standing alongside us to provide this life-changing support for people with blood cancer.

With your help more than 5,300 patients like Kish, and their families, benefitted from the emotional and practical support offered by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Here’s how you’re making an impact

Thanks to incredible supporters like you, the Leukaemia Foundation has committed funds to research innovation. Our overarching aim is to fund high-impact research by concentrating our resources on projects with broad potential for all people living with blood cancer. We have turned our attention to investment in innovation: in diagnosis, treatments and improving quality of life across the blood cancer spectrum.

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Your support in action:

9

New research projects funded

More than
$3.3m

 Committed to new research

36

 Projects currently supported by our National Research Program

$61.2m

 Committed to blood cancer research since 2000

Survival rates improving

There is still so much work to be done but survival rates continue to increase for many types of blood cancer. Your support can have a direct impact on our work to reach zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

Natasha’s brave shave something truly special

Natasha Strapps’ journey is one of extraordinary courage.

At just 23 weeks pregnant, Natasha was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer.

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In the midst of this overwhelming news, Natasha faced the harrowing reality of chemotherapy while carrying her child. The uncertainty was immense, but her love for her unborn baby gave her strength. Against the odds, she gave birth to a healthy daughter, Mia, and continued her treatment.

As her journey unfolded, Natasha found herself leaning on the Leukaemia Foundation for support. The charity became a lifeline, and she soon realised the impact of this support not just for her, but for countless others affected by blood cancer.

Natasha was deeply moved by the kindness and solidarity she received and wanted to give back. She decided to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave.

Shaving her head was no easy decision. For Natasha, her hair was part of her identity. But through this act of bravery, she felt something else.

“When they started to shave my head, I felt so empowered,” she said, reflecting on her decision to take control of a situation that was out of her hands.

“The main reason I took part in the World’s Greatest Shave was to raise funds to support critical research that I hope will prevent mums having to spend time away from their children to receive treatment, as I know how hard that is.”

Shaving your hair symbolises not just a personal sacrifice, but a powerful statement of hope and strength for others who are facing their own battles with cancer.

Get involved at worldsgreatestshave.com.

Last year more than 16,500 Australians signed up to shave, cut or colour their hair and raise funds. We cannot thank them enough!

Need support?

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with blood cancer, we’re here to help.

Call 1800 620 420 to speak with a Blood Cancer Support Coordinator or fill out our online referral form for our team to get back to you within two business days.

Thank you for your heartfelt support

We’re so thankful for the way you step up to answer our call for help, making new hope possible every day.