Stories - Leukaemia Foundation

Running for a Cause: Cal Gates’ Journey from Newcastle to Sydney on foot in one weekend

In the face of adversity some people rise to the occasion with remarkable strength and determination. Cal Gates is one such individual. His story is one of inspiration, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the fight against blood cancer.

Our supporters

World Blood Cancer Day 2024

Discover more about the latest developments in stem cell transplants.

bone marrow transplant
Research
Treatments and side-effects

Kish Modi’s AML journey and GoFundMe fundraiser

My name is Kish, I’m a 35-year-old who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in October last year. There were no warning signs – things just hit, very suddenly.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
bone marrow transplant
chemotherapy
Our supporters
Treatments and side-effects

Feeling tired all the time because of cancer

Discover how cancer fatigue impacts daily life and learn ways to manage feeling tired all the time due to cancer. Explore Neda's inspiring story.

chemotherapy
Myeloma
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Joshua’s journey

Discover Joshua's inspiring journey with blood cancer and how Leukaemia Foundation support helped him find happiness and new beginnings. Listen now!

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Support services

Christie Yu had the world at her feet

After numerous setbacks, Christie had to slowly transition back to her studies not once but twice. This forced her to make a tough decision that would shape the rest of her career.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
fatigue
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: The strength within

Explore Vince O'Donnell's journey with hereditary amyloidosis. Hear about his resilience, treatments, and the role of genetic testing.

Amyloidosis

From kidney stones to chemo

Wayne Douglas spent more than half a lifetime working with heavy rock and concrete in the civil construction industry. In 2018, Wayne joined the roughly 2,600 people diagnosed with myeloma in Australia each year.

accommodation
bone lesion
chemotherapy
exercise
fatigue
male
Myeloma
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
regional
rural
Victoria

Talking Blood Cancer: Finding Strength

Join Nerys Welch's journey through acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) / acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) loss and parenting 3 kids. Discover her solace in the Leukaemia Foundation's supportive online community.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia

Treatment and transplant news

Once a blood cancer treatment is developed, it needs to be approved for sale in Australia and subsidised, or ‘listed’, otherwise the cost for the treatment can be unaffordable for many patients. The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) or Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) appraises a new treatment and provides advice to the Government on whether it should be publicly funded. This includes seeking consumer comments. Here’s a summary of recent new and recommended listings for blood cancer treatments. The Leukaemia Foundation provided advice and consumer comments to PBAC/MSAC in support of these therapies being available to patients.

Advocacy and policy
Treatments and side-effects

Blood cancer ride proves Perry’s toughest race

As Perry Judd slowly pedalled over the finishing line at the prestigious Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic in 2013, supposedly in the form of his life but somehow lagging far behind the competition, he knew something wasn’t right. Physically exhausted, Perry feared he had glandular fever, but a blood test revealed something much more dangerous. The then 37-year-old explained: “I had a call from the GP: ‘Please come and see me, we need to talk urgently. You need to come in right away’.

Acute myeloid leukaemia
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Mother-Daughter Cancer Warriors

Join Kate Arkadieff and Theresa Webb as they delve into non-Hodgkin's lymphoma & acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (leukemia) journeys for patients and families on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by Leukaemia Foundation.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Physiotherapist and lymphoma survivor Julie Allen on cancer related fatigue

Discover how physiotherapist Julie Allen tackles cancer fatigue and lymphoma, enhancing the quality of life and survival for blood cancer patients.

Interviews with experts
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Unlocking the Mysteries of Blood Cancer

In the ever-evolving landscape of blood cancer research, the quest to combat blood cancer continues to push boundaries. The New Directions in Leukaemia Research (NDLR) event in Adelaide last month brought together leading minds in the field to discuss breakthroughs, challenges, and the future of leukaemia treatment. From cutting-edge advancements in therapies to the promise of personalised medicine, the conference, sponsored by the Leukaemia Foundation, shed light on the latest discoveries and strategies shaping the fight against leukaemia.

Research

Theresa Webb: ‘I’ve always been a survivor’

Blood cancer casts a long shadow over many Australian families, but for Theresa Webb and her family, its shadow has been longer than most. Theresa was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2002 after discovering a small hard lump near her collarbone. A biopsy revealed the then 30-year-old had a type of blood cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Carers
Lifestyle and living well
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Theresa with her daughters, Summer and Jessi, on the day of her stem cell transplant

Talking Blood Cancer: Resilience and Triumph with Perry Judd

Perry Judd shares his journey with Acute Myeloid leukaemia (leukemia), from treatments to winning sports medals. Discover resistance and hope on the Talking Blood Cancer Podcast.

Talking Blood Cancer: Motherhood and Resilience

In this episode of Talking Blood Cancer, host Kate Arkadieff welcomes Tahli Batkilin, who bravely shares her personal battle and subsequent victory over blood cancer. Tahli takes us through the moment she first received her lymphoma diagnosis amidst the chaos of lockdown and running her home baking business. The confusion of initial misdiagnoses escalating to the eventual life-changing news is recounted with raw honesty. Tahli's determination and resilience shine through as she explains how she continued to push for answers when treatments didn't seem to be working, embodying the critical message of being your own health advocate.

Beauty and the Geek, and his Will

In 2022 Lachy joined the World’s Greatest Shave community, buzzing off his locks to raise funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation’s work. But what started out as an act of support for people living with blood cancer turned into something far more personal.

Our supporters

Talking Blood Cancer: Life Beyond the Diagnosis

In this inaugural episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, our distinguished host Kate Arkadieff welcomes Peter Geary, a resolute myeloma patient and advocate, to share his profound journey since being diagnosed with asymptomatic myeloma in 2018. The episode begins with Peter recounting the moment of diagnosis and the subsequent "watch and wait" approach that marked the early days of his experience with blood cancer.

Noel’s gift in will is a tribute to his family

When it came to writing his Will, Noel chose to leave a lasting legacy to the Leukaemia Foundation. With the naming of The Hurd Family Unit, the Leukaemia Foundation is delighted to recognise Noel’s kind-hearted bequest.

Our supporters