australia answering the call to “be brave and shave

March 2012
About us
The Leukaemia Foundation
is the only national not-forprofit organisation dedicated
to the care and cure of
patients and families living
with leukaemias, lymphomas,
myeloma and related blood
disorders.
Australia answering the call to
“be brave and shave”
We invest millions of dollars
in the work of Australia’s
leading researchers to
develop better treatments
and cures and provide free
services to support patients
and their families.
We receive no ongoing
government funding. We
rely on the generosity of the
community and corporate
sector to further our Vision to
Cure and Mission to Care.
As she trains for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Australian swimmer Sophie Edington (pictured above) has
included extreme shaving as part of her training regime to launch World’s Greatest Shave in Victoria. Sophie
recently hung off a 19 metre high wall to shave the head of rock climber, Jason Holden, who was sporting gold
and green hair prior to the shave in support of the Australian team. Photo used courtesy of the Herald Sun.
From AFL football players and swimmers
to media stars, some of the country’s most
well-known faces will be lining up alongside
everyday Australians to shave or colour their
hair to help raise $15 million for our World’s
Greatest Shave this March.
The Leukaemia Foundation’s biggest fundraiser
is back from 15-17 March, and thousands of
people will raise funds to help people with
leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related
blood disorders.
Happening again this year in schools across
the country is our ‘Crazy Hair Day 4 Kids’, and
our Mining Challenge.
Answering the call to “be brave and shave” in
2012 will be a new AFL Shave All Stars team,
personally brought together by Port Adelaide
Football Club player, Steven Salopek.
Salopek and his Power teammates last year
raised more than $12,000 for the campaign.
This year, Salopek was motivated to help make
even more of a difference. As The Carer went
to print, Hawthorn’s Lance “Buddy” Franklin
and Fremantle’s Antoni Grover were first off
the mark to respond to Salopek’s challenge.
“I have seen firsthand how important the funds
raised from the World’s Greatest Shave are in
making a brighter future for those living with a
blood cancer,” said Salopek.
“The Leukaemia Foundation funds millions of
dollars of research and provides huge levels of
support to patients and families all free of charge.
Continued on page 5...
In this issue
U.G.L.Y. bartenders raise $880,000 Pg 2
Liz a testament to never giving up hope Pg 3
Six-time Shaver lends support Pg 6
Whacky ‘Wokka’ an iTunes winner Pg 7
Transport program expands in Melbourne Pg 8
WA’s Rapunzel to let go of her locks Pg 9
$4.4 million investment in hope Pg 10-11
Adventurers wanted for Kokoda trek
Pg 12
Snippets
U.G.L.Y. bartenders
toast of the nation!
Bridgestone helped
to ‘deck the halls’
Aussie bartenders are the toast of the nation after raising
more than $880,000 through the Leukaemia Foundation’s
U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year fundraiser.
From motorized esky races to a busking dingo, bartenders
staged quirky events in November to raise serious funds.
U.G.L.Y. stands for ‘Understanding, Generous, Likeable You’.
More than 800 bartenders took part around the country –
a record number of competitors. The final total amounted
to $357,000 more than last year’s competition – a 68%
increase and a campaign record.
Belinda Marshall proved that size doesn’t matter by raising
a phenomenal $36,000 at The Bent Bull Bar and Grill in
Emerald Springs, a remote stopover between Katherine and
Darwin. It’s the highest amount ever raised by any U.G.L.Y.
Bartender in Australia. Cheers to you, Belinda!
Overall, NT bartenders showed they have what it takes
to be U.G.L.Y. champions by smashing their fundraising
target by 210%. Bartenders from SA also showed they were
particularly thirsty for success, blowing the fundraising goal
for their state out of the water by 114%.
The U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year in each state won a trip
for two to Phuket and their venue received a Hoshizaki
Ice Maker valued at $7500 thanks to national sponsor
Hoshizaki Lancer.
Nationally, the following bartenders warrant a slap on the
back for raising in the region of $20,000 or more:
*Belinda Marshall $36,018 Kristie Farrugia $20,015
The Bent Bull Bar & Grill NT Parap Tavern NT
*Cole Hedwards $23,101
Bellum Hotel SA
*Brenda Sheather $19,930
Mangles Bay Fishing Club WA
Elle Missen $20,974
Mallala Hotel SA
Rebecca Dunstan $19,550
Walkabout Hotel WA
*Also the top fundraisers for their state or territory.
Meanwhile, taking out first prize for NSW/ACT was
Kerry Barnard (Imperial Hotel, Tamworth), while Matt Gall
(The Barkmill Tavern and Bakery, Bicheno) claimed the
top honour for Tasmania and Adrian Lowrie (Cunninghams
Hotel, Yarra Junction) placed first in Victoria.
We will be lifting the lid on U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the
Year 2012 in our next edition of The Carer. Stay tuned!
Cole Hedwards was the U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year for SA.
He is pictured here with Claire Brookes.
PAGE 2
Bridgestone Australia Ltd and the Leukaemia Foundation
joined forces late last year to deliver some Christmas cheer into
haematology wards around the country. Armed with decorations
– including nine Christmas trees, 136 metres of tinsel and 1025
bauballs – were Bridgestone volunteers including (back, from left)
Simon Williams, Kevin Allery and Chris Firgaira, and (front, from
left) Melissa Sanders, Rita Chetcuti and Julia Miller.
No cause for alarm
at touted cancer
drug shortages
The Leukaemia Foundation welcomes recent confirmation
by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration that
Australia’s supply of blood cancer treatment drugs is secure.
“For several weeks, reported shortages of blood cancer
treatment drugs due to a US manufacturer ceasing
production has fuelled speculation about the impact
in Australia,” said Peter Cox, CEO of the Leukaemia
Foundation of Australia.
“The media focus intensified, leading us to urgently call on
the TGA to clarify Australia’s position on behalf of people
concerned about the continuity of their treatment.”
As The Carer went to print, the TGA responded by
advising that no shortages were anticipated in Australia
for methotrexate, daunorubicin, dexamethasone and
cytarabine. It added that while it was aware that one
doxorubicin supplier had advised its customers that it had
run out of stock, another sponsor had been able to secure
additional stock with no shortage anticipated in the short
term.
“We are pleased to learn that there is no cause for alarm
and believe this will help to allay the concerns of people
with blood cancer who have been aware of possible
shortages through the media,” said Mr Cox. “We live in an
age where people with life-threatening diseases can watch
developments unfold in real time and many of these people
are information hungry. We encourage the TGA to consider
how it can work with health organisations to quickly
disseminate important information about issues with the
potential to cause distress to those people affected.”
Be inspired
Liz a testament to never giving up hope
When Liz Stansfield (63) was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin
lymphoma in August of 2009, thoughts of “oh no – not
again!” echoed in her mind. It was the West Australian
mother and grandmother’s third cancer diagnosis.
Since 2002, Liz had been treated for bowel cancer twice.
She was told that the lymphoma near her heart was “a
good cancer to have” and that she could be cured.
“I don’t know whether I was pleased to hear that or not,”
said Liz. “I felt I had had my fair share of illness.”
Liz and her husband of 20 years, Len, have lived in
Mandurah WA for nine years. The couple retired there from
Esperance, where Len had served his final posting as a
police officer. Liz has two sons, and Len has two daughters
and one son, from previous marriages. Together, they have
seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Following her diagnosis, Liz began treatment with a medical
team that she describes as “the best in WA”.
Over 12 weeks, she received chemotherapy intravenously
once a week. She had a reaction to one of the drugs,
which resulted in lung problems for which she is still under
the care of a thoracic specialist. She then underwent 26
radiation treatments, which involved daily train trips to Perth
from Mandurah.
Liz shared that there were moments when she longed for
her ordeal to be over.
“At times I didn’t feel I wanted to survive, but Len forced me
to keep going with my treatment,” she said.
It was the arrival of a dear little girl, Bella – Liz’s first
grandchild – who provided some extra special motivation
for Liz to bravely push on.
“I dearly wanted to be able to hold her and love her, so even
though the treatment was severe I focused on being the best
grandmother ever,” said Liz. “The family even set up a video
link for me to see Bella
as often as I could when
I was in isolation in
hospital.”
Liz enjoys a cuddle with her newest grandchild, Tiana.
just as they felt they were starting to regain a sense of
control in life, Len was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“Somehow we coped and he had his prostate removed,
but when the crisis was over I fell into a very large hole and
could not cope at all,” said Liz. “I was a mess.”
Thinking back to a Leukaemia Foundation seminar she had
been to, Liz turned to us for urgent support.
“One morning I arrived on their doorstep and said HELP!”
she said. “I stayed for a number of hours and went on to
have weekly sessions That wonderful lady saved my life.”
My husband and family are second to none
when it comes to support.
Family support was
crucial to Liz’s recovery.
“My husband and family are second to none when it comes
to support,” she said. I don’t know how I would have coped
without their love and constant attention.”
Liz recalls her sister coming to stay for two days each week
so that Len could take some time out to play golf. Her other
sister would visit too, when she wasn’t nursing her husband
who was also being treated for cancer.
As soon as she was well enough, Liz began attending the
Foundation’s patient support groups and education seminars.
“It helped me to understand more about my own journey,”
she said. “Little was I to know just how helpful this was
going to be.”
After all that Liz and Len had been through, the last thing
they expected was to be hit with another blow. However,
Liz has come a long
way since that day.
Today, she is a
treasured volunteer
with the Foundation.
She has helped with Light the Night and will soon become a
volunteer driver for our transport program.
Above all she is passionate about helping others with their
blood cancer journeys, with her personal goal being to
“make it a little easier for them if I can”.
“I know some people don’t know of the wonderful services
that are available to help them, or others feel bewildered
with too much information and need help working through
what they need,” said Liz. “What I like to do is talk to people
and point them in a direction that is most helpful to them.”
The arrival of a second beautiful granddaughter for Liz has
reinforced the value of life after all they have been through.
“With my other little princess Bella, who is now 21/2, we love
to build sand castles and play on the swings,” said Liz. “I
catch her on the slide and she laughs and that makes my day.”
PAGE 3
Be Inspired
Kilimanjaro trek raises funds and spirits
There are few people who can lay claim
to conquering one of the planet’s highest
peaks, but Perth’s Mike Thorman can
now do just that.
Mike was one of 17 super fit Australians to
conquer South Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro
late last year – all in the name of raising
money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Made possible in partnership with Inspired
Adventures, the Leukaemia Foundation
Kilimanjaro Challenge saw the group
put their physical and mental abilities
to the ultimate test and raise more than
$100,000 to support Australians with
blood cancer in the process.
Journal
Below, Mike shares with us some
excerpts from his journal recording
the incredible adventure.
It’s official! Mike conquers Kilimanjaro. See more from Mike’s adventure on page 9.
Friday, November 25th
After nearly five months of planning, loitering in outdoor
adventure stores asking some of the dumbest questions (usually
to the amusement of the shop assistants), departure day is finally
upon me. Ahead lies the adventure of a lifetime – I’m finally
going to Africa.
Saturday, November 26th
With an enormous amount of pent-up excitement and
anticipation, we have all settled into our rooms. We’re sorting our
gear and making sure everything is packed for the mountain
tomorrow. There is too much to think about to guarantee a good
night’s sleep!
Sunday, November 27th
We’re all packed onto a bus to take the three hour trip along
bumpy, dusty roads to the starting point of our adventure, the
Rongai Gate. Far from being dry and dusty, as described in every
brochure I’d read, it’s overcast and raining when we finally arrive.
After a quick lunch, we don our waterproofs and set off very “pole
pole” (pronounced pol-ay pol-ay – which is Swahili for “slowly”), a
phrase we’d hear over and over from our guides! Thinking the rain
will pass quickly (it actually is nice walking in the rain) we shuffle
off up the track, mostly in silence, constantly thinking: “Wow, we’re
finally doing it. We’re climbing the mountain”.
Tuesday, November 29th
It’s the end of day three. The rain has finally stopped – what
a relief! At 3500 metres I start to feel the effects of acute
mountain sickness (AMS). I’ve heard a lot about AMS in the
build-up to the trek – it doesn’t matter how fit you are, or how
much training you’ve done, if you’re going to get it you can’t do
much about it. We’ve all been taking a drug called diamox to
minimise the risk of AMS, but once you get to an altitude of
3000 metres, 75% of people will have mild symptoms. As it turns
out, I’m one of them. The headaches I can manage with pain
PAGE 4
relief, but the nausea is unforgiving. I’m two days away from the
summit and unable to keep ANY food down. The climb is going
to be difficult. (As it turned out, I wouldn’t eat again for another
five days.)
Thursday, December 4th / Friday, December 5th
The summit climb starts at 11:30pm at night. It is very cold
(about -2oC). I feel quite weak from lack of food and I’m not
sure that I’ll make it all the way to the top. We slowly (“pole,
pole”) climb the 985 vertical metres to Gillman’s Point (5685m)
on the crater rim, arriving at 6:30am, just in time for sunrise.
Then it is a further two hour hike to the summit at 5895m. What
a view from the top! All 17 of us have made it, some in better
condition than others. With the fantastic support from the others,
and the thought that we’ve collectively raised over $100,000 for
the Leukaemia Foundation, we are (literally) feeling on top of the
world. After the obligatory photos, the descent is surprisingly fast.
What took us all night to climb, only takes three hours to get
down. Back at base camp (Kibo) we are allowed a one hour sleep
before we pack up our belongings and head down the mountain to
the last camp.
Saturday, December 6th
The porters and guides sing us a traditional African song to wish
us a safe trip back to our homelands. It is such an overwhelming
feeling to realise that we have come all this way, climbed a
mountain nearly six kilometres high, and in two days time, we’ll
all be back in our own beds. Although the beauty of this great
mountain will continue to inspire people to attempt things that
challenge them, it is the legacy of raising so much money for such
a worthy cause that will stay with me forever.
If you share Mike’s passion for adventure and are
eager to take on a similar physical challenge for the
Leukaemia Foundation, turn to the story about the
70th Anniversary Kokoda Track Challenge on page 12.
National wrap
Answering the call to “be brave and shave”
Continued from page 1...
“My vision is to have at least one player
from each AFL Club join the team, shaving
their heads to raise funds.
“It’s inspiring to be part of Australia’s
leading fundraiser with such a huge
national reputation.”
Radio and TV host, Meshel Laurie (pictured),
is another famous face who will be parting
with her locks for this year’s campaign.
Meshel says it will be her Nova counterpart
and “long-time baldy”, Marty Sheargold,
who will take to her with the clippers.
“I’ve always loved the idea of doing it
in support of people who lose their hair
involuntarily,” said Meshel. “I know it can
be a very daunting part of treatment, and
of course I know there’s nothing I can do
to make it easier, but I can be another bald
person in the world.”
When asked how others had responded to
her pledge to “be brave and shave’, Meshel
said the reactions had been dramatic.
“It’s like they’re so spun out, they don’t
even know what spins them out most!” she
said. “Most go on to say that they would
be too vain to do it. Of course I’m not
without vanity, but I think it’s a good
exercise in vanity control.”
Peter Cox, CEO of the Leukaemia
Foundation of Australia, says that with
around 31 Australians diagnosed with
blood cancer every day, events like
World’s Greatest Shave are crucial.
“Blood cancers are devastating,” he said.
“Treatment can begin within 24 hours
and continue for years. It’s especially
tough for the regional families who need
to relocate to the city for treatment.
“World’s Greatest Shave is so important.
It helps us fund free services to support
the person and their family, including
providing information, emotional care,
transport to and from treatment, and
accommodation for regional Australians
who need to move closer to hospital.
“The money is also used to fund vital
blood cancer research. It will surprise
many to learn that blood cancer is
Australia’s biggest cancer killer after lung
cancer, claiming a life every two hours.
To sign up or show your support go
to worldsgreatestshave.com or call
1800 500 088.
The Power’s Steven Salopek (front, centre) is aiming to recruit at least one player from each AFL Club to join the AFL Shave All Stars team.
Steven is pictured with, from left: Nick Joyce and Jared Petrenko from the Adelaide Crows, and fellow Power teammates Travis Boak and
Daniel Webb. Photo courtesy of the Sunday Mail and photographer, Jo-Anna Robinson.
PAGE 5
National wrap
NSW/ACT
Six-time ‘shaver’ lends behind scenes support
Scott Thurlow first participated in World’s Greatest Shave
in Sydney in 2006 after he saw an ad on TV. His hair was
quite long at the time and his mother had been nagging
him to get it cut.
“I thought that the event looked like a lot of fun and that it
would be a great way to raise money to help patients and
their families suffering from leukaemia,” said Scott.
After shaving his head that day, Scott was hooked and has
signed up every year since. This year will be his seventh
consecutive shave for the Leukaemia Foundation and he
hopes his continued support of the campaign will make a
difference. His friends and family are very supportive, with
no shortage of sponsors each year!
“I was shocked at the number of people diagnosed with
leukaemia and related blood disorders each year so
hopefully by participating in World’s Greatest Shave I’m
helping patients in getting the support they need.”
In 2011 the Leukaemia Foundation took to Facebook to
post about the need for a Marketing and Communications
intern to help maintain the press office for the World’s
Greatest Shave. Scott, who is currently studying
communications at the University of Technology, was
quick to respond.
“It seemed like a perfect fit for me to get further involved
in the campaign,” said Scott.
“It’s a great way for me to share and improve my skills as
well as see it from a different perspective behind the scenes.
“Working with the ‘Shave’ team is fun and satisfying
knowing that I am helping spread the word and raise
awareness of the campaign and the great work of the
Leukaemia Foundation in their Vision to Cure and
Mission to Care.”
To find out more about volunteering opportunities with the
Leukaemia Foundation, please call us on 1800 620 420.
Scott Thurlow, pictured here as a six-time ‘Shaver’ in 2011, now lends a hand with our marketing activities too.
Facebook fans go crazy for chinface app
The Leukaemia Foundation’s new “Chinface Yourself”
app on Facebook has proven a hit with World’s Greatest
Shave fans, with 1000 people and counting already giving
themselves the unique chin treatment on-line.
PAGE 6
The quirky app lets you use your own photo to create a
chin character just like you see in our distinctive ads.
Check out these recent creations! To create your own
Chinface, go to our World’s Greatest Shave page on Facebook.
National wrap
SA/NT
Whacky ‘wokka’ an itunes hit
What began as an on-air catchcry
to irk a co-host, has turned into
an iTunes hit that is benefitting
the Leukaemia Foundation, with
the release of a fun tune by
madcap Bordertown radio host,
Sardia (Scad) Kakoschke.
Scad’s personal connections to blood
cancer inspired her to donate the iTunes
proceeds to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Two years ago, a young volunteer
at radio 5TCB was diagnosed with
leukaemia. She is now at university
and doing well.
The self-described “crazy” 5TCB
Blood cancer also has directly
host behind the nationallyimpacted Scad’s family.
syndicated ‘Melomania’ program,
“My uncle had leukaemia when I was
co-wrote ‘It’s all about the Wokka
young and survived it,” she said. “I
Scad (right) and her co-host Mandy.
Wokka’ with American musician/
have always been close to him – he
composer, Eric Alexandrakis, after an on-air challenge.
means the world to me.
Eric is also a two time cancer survivor.
“I couldn’t imagine losing someone who means as much
While interviewing Eric two years ago, Scad discovered
to them as my Uncle David does to me, so I thought that if
that he had composed a song about his wife. Proving too
I can help raise awareness (of leukaemia) and funds in any
tempting an opportunity to pass up, she challenged him
way, I will.”
to write a tune about her. (Later, she called Eric back and
To download “It’s all about the Wokka Wokka’ go to
suggested he write about Melomania instead, seeing the
www.melomania.com.au.
merits of scoring a free theme song for the program.)
It’s all about the Wokka Wokka
VERSE
A bow chicka wow wow
Adjust your dial now
It’s all about the Wokka Wokka
I hear they’ve got the beat to shock ya
A bow chicka hee hee
Join Scad and Mandy
It’s all about the yadda yadda
I know they’ve got the track to knock ya
PRE-CHORUS
Scad and Mandy, radio candy
Spinnin’ tracks on the dial all handy dandy
Not in Transylvania, they’re like Beatlemania
They won’t try to tame ya.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA!
CHORUS
Melomania
Musicfelia
Scad and Mandy they’ve got the sonic candy
Melomania…made in Australia
Melomania
Musicfelia
Scad and Mandy they’ve got the sonic candy
Melomania… made in Australia
Riverlanders dance
to raise dollars
More than 250 people from South Australia’s Riverland
Community boogied the night away at a dinner dance
recently, raising an incredible $7500 for the Leukaemia
Foundation in the process.
The event was the initiative of Warren Falting and the
Riverland’s Friends of the Foundation fundraising team.
Entertainment was provided by local band ‘The Shidaxxe’
(who played at no cost), with a highlight being the 50-year
reunion performance of local vocal group ‘The Fairways’, of
which Warren was a member. Tickets were $25 per head
and the attendees were served a delicious three-course meal.
Warren said that other highlights of the evening included
the huge range of generously donated items and services
going towards the bumper auction.
“We wanted to bring ‘The Fairways’ together after 50
years, so we decided to take the opportunity to support
and promote the fantastic work of the Leukaemia
Foundation at the same time,” said Warren. “We had a
great time and it was wonderful to see everyone kick up
their heels for this great cause.”
Simon Matthias, Leukaemia Foundation of Australia General
Manager (SA), said the success of the event demonstrated
the value of our Friends of the Foundation groups.
“It truly was an entertaining and fun night,” he said. “It
showed just how important community fundraising is to
our organization and it gave us an opportunity to speak
about the work of the Foundation at the event, in turn
thanking all in attendance for their contribution.
For more information about finding a Friends of the
Foundation group in your local area, or if you are
interested in forming one, please call 1800 620 420.
PAGE 7
National
Be inspired
wrap
vic/tas
Extending our mission to care for people
The Leukaemia Foundation has created a new role to
further expand on our Mission to Care for families
coping with the shock and devastating impact of
blood cancers.
A new Loss, Grief and Bereavement Coordinator has
been appointed in Victoria to provide further support
to families we assist, as well as staff and volunteers
who are experiencing the challenges of grief.
Caroline Arrowsmith is an accredited social worker
with a background in oncology and palliative care
counselling.
“Since I started at the Leukaemia Foundation I have
been looking at the literature on bereavement and
conducting my own research into what bereavement
support is already being provided and what additional
assistance would be of benefit,” she said. “I have also
been looking at the training and support needs of staff
and developing a plan to meet those needs.”
Over the next 12 months Caroline will be developing a
program of initiatives designed to cater to a wide variety
of needs, including information sessions, newsletters,
bereavement counselling and support groups.
Caroline Arrowsmith is the Foundation’s new Loss, Grief and
Bereavement Coordinator in Victoria.
New cheltenham service widens our
transport reach
The Leukaemia Foundation has expanded our Patient
Transport Program network in Melbourne’s south east
with a new service operating from Cheltenham.
“We’re delighted that we can now help more people with
blood cancer in this corner of the city to get to and from
their hospital treatment,” she said.
The expanded service has been made possible thanks to
Bridgestone Tyre Centre at Cheltenham, which is garaging
one of our Patient Transport Program cars that was
donated by Bridgestone Australia Ltd and previously based
at Preston.
“While we’ve previously transported people from the
south eastern suburbs, having one of our cars garaged at
Cheltenham means we can now make more trips in a day
and transport more people.
A team of 10 volunteer drivers is helping us to roll out the
Cheltenham-based program to assist more people with
blood cancer in the city’s south east.
Stephanie Hechenberger, Leukaemia Foundation of
Australia General Manager (Vic-Tas), says the expanded
service is already delivering many benefits.
“We also have the ability now to reach people earlier
in the day, which means we can help them attend early
appointments. Previously, this wasn’t possible.”
The new service base is also benefitting our volunteer
drivers living in Melbourne’s south east.
“Having our Cheltenham service means our volunteers
don’t have to drive to and from our head office in Preston
like they used to,” said Ms Hechenberger.
Premier golf classic to tee off in april
The first of what is destined to
become a major annual event on
Melbourne’s golfing calendar will
take place this April.
The inaugural Leukaemia
Foundation Golf Classic will tee
off at Royal Melbourne Golf Club
on Monday 2 April.
PAGE 8
This prestigious event will help us support the 11,500
Australians who will are diagnosed with leukaemia,
lymphoma or myeloma each year. Funds raised from the
day will also help us build on the more than $20 million
we have already invested in cutting edge blood cancer
research.
To secure a spot for your organisation please email
[email protected].
National wrap
WA
WA’s own Rapunzel to let go of her locks
In Disney’s 2010 animated
feature ‘Tangled’, the hair of
the lead fairytale princess has
healing powers.
In the Leukaemia Foundation’s
2012 World’s Greatest Shave,
the long locks of Muphina-Jane
Morrell will ultimately help people
as well.
There will be a distinct Rapunzel
element to our iconic annual
fundraiser in the west this year,
when Muphina-Jane parts with
her one-metre long hair.
Muphina-Jane is a nurse, currently
working in the emergency
department at Geraldton Hospital,
with ambitions to move into
midwifery later this year. She has
avoided a proper haircut since
2004 and decided recently that
it was time to “go the chop”.
Wanting to make the momentous
cut count for a worthy cause, and
personally motivated by her mum
being diagnosed with chronic
lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), she
signed up for World’s Greatest Shave.
“I used to have layered funky
colours and stuff but when I went
to uni, I could no longer afford
to have funky hairstyles, cuts or
colours – I just ended up being the
pony tail queen.
“Now it’s a braid, tied in a knot,
with a chopstick or two used to
keep it in place! It’s just hanging
around – literally.”
Muphina aims to raise $50,000 for
World’s Greatest Shave. She will
be brave and shave in Murray St
Mall, Perth, in front of her family
and friends. Top effort, Muphina!
Muphina’s metre-long locks will come
off for World’s Greatest Shave 2012.
To maintain her magnificent mop, Muphina-Jane regularly
braids her hair into 60 small plaits. It’s a routine that is
repeated every 10 weeks or so.
“I take a row out, wash it, do a treatment and re-plait – it
takes hours,” she said.
This breathtaking image was taken by Mike at Gillman’s Point at sunrise,
two hours from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
PAGE 9
Looking forward
$4.4 million investment in hope
Sixty two innovative Australian research projects will share in a
total of $4.4 million in grants to be awarded by the Leukaemia
Foundation’s National Research Program this year.
Overall, the Leukaemia Foundation will contribute $2.1
million in new grants and $2.3 million in ongoing grants
towards the $4.4 million total for 2012. We also partner
with the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation (CCAF) and
Cancer Australia to fund our Post Doctoral Fellowships.
We believe that medical breakthroughs will be made
sooner by supporting innovative Australian research and
Grants in Aid
Jan – Dec 2012
Dr Lesley Ashton
Children’s Cancer Institute Australia ($100,000)
Genetic variation and the infection risk in children after
bone marrow transplantation
Assoc Prof Ross Hannan
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC ($100,000)
A new target for the treatment of blood cancers
Dr Marco Herold
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC ($100,000)
Cell survival proteins in cancer
Dr David Izon
St Vincent’s Institute, VIC ($100,000)
Vitamin A treatment of T cell Leukaemia
Dr Kylie Mason
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC ($100,000)
Evaluating an attractive drug for treating blood cancers
fostering the careers of talented researchers. Potential
recipients are assessed by panels of leading Australian
clinicians and researchers in the field of blood cancer,
without restriction to particular research centres or regions.
The National Research Program aligns with our vision
to help find better treatments and cures for the 50,000
Australians who will be diagnosed with leukaemia,
lymphoma, and myeloma and related blood disorders in
the next five years.
Below are this year’s National Research Program recipients.
Dr Matthew McCormack
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC ($100,000)
Finding new therapies to target stem cells that cause T cell
Leukaemia
Assoc Prof Wayne Phillips
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC ($100,000)
Do mutations in the PIK3CA gene cause lymphomas?
Assoc Prof Louise Purton
St Vincent’s Institute, VIC ($100,000)
Involvement of the HOXA1 gene in blood cell diseases
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
(Funding Partnership with Cure Cancer
Australia Foundation)
Jan – Dec 2012
Dr Megan Bywater
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC ($100,000)
Predicting clinical success of a novel inhibitor of ribosomal
RNS synthesis
Can’t find that perfect gift for a birthday, graduation or
another of life’s special occasions?
Making an ‘In-Celebration’ gift to the Leukaemia Foundation is
a thoughtful way of commemorating what’s really important.
Or for a lasting way to honour the memory of a loved one,
there is our Memorial Giving Program, ‘Not Forgotten’.
$27 can provide emotional support to help overcome the
shock of diagnosis.
$58 can keep one of our patient vehicles on the road for
one day.
$160 can give a regional family in a city for treatment a
place to call home for 2 nights.
$400 can fund a major blood cancer research
project for one day.
Celebrate
life.life.
Celebrate
Celebrate life and help us support Australians living
with blood cancer. To find out more, call 1800 620 420
or email [email protected].
PAGE 10
Can’t find that perfect gift for a birthday, graduation or another of life’s
Looking forward
National research program recipients 2012
Jan 2012 – Dec 2014
Dr Santi Suryani
Children’s Cancer Institute Australia ($100,000 p/a)
Improving the treatment of childhood acute leukaemia with
targeted therapy
PHD SCHOLARSHIPS
Jan 2012 – Dec 2014
Mr Nicholas Gherardin
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC ($40,000 p/a)
Researching how myeloma cells can change T cell subsets
to enhance disease progression
Mr Brian Liddicoat
St Vincent’s Institute, VIC ($40,000 p/a)
Role of RNA editing during normal blood development and
the formation of cancer
Mr Matthew Witkowski
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC ($40,000 p/a)
Understanding therapy resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukaemia (ALL)
PhD (CLINICAL) SCHOLARSHIPS
Dr Kris Ma
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW ($55,000 p/a)
White cell therapy in bone marrow transplant patients to
prevent infection and cancer
Dr Peter Tan
The Alfred Hospital, VIC ($55,000 p/a)
Discovering new treatments to target Acute Myeloid
Leukaemia (AML)
Dr Jane Gordon
Centenary Hospital, NSW ($55,000 p/a)
Determining who will respond to nilotinib treatment in
patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)
Dr Sophie Lee
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC ($55,000 p/a)
What are the biological events that lead to acute Leukaemia?
Dr David Yeung
IMVS, SA ($55,000 p/a)
Predicting drug effects using mutation markers in Chronic
Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)
Ms Melody Shien
Queensland Institute for Medical Research, QLD ($40,000 p/a)
CD8+ DC cross presentation and graft versus Leukaemia
Ms Danielle Tindle
Queensland University of Technology ($40,000 p/a)
Conceptualising meaning in life: The experiences of young
adult cancer survivors
CANCER AUSTRALIA PDCCRS FUNDING
PARTNERSHIP
Feb 2012 – Jan 2014
Prof Andrew Zannettino
SA Pathology, SA ($528,666)
Is elevated N-cadherin expression
a poor prognostic indicator in
multiple myeloma patients?
Researching treatment for relapsed leukaemia
The Leukaemia Foundation’s National
Research Program funds research to
find a cure for blood cancer, however it
is important that we also fund research
which will support patients who relapse.
Associate Professor Richard Lock and his
team at the Children’s Cancer Institute
Australia (CCIA) are the recipients of a
Leukaemia Foundation Grant-in-Aid for
2011 and 2012 to assist in the progress
of their exciting research into improving
treatment options for relapsed T-Cell
leukaemia patients.
Associate Professor Lock’s study aims to move toward
more individualised therapies for leukaemia patients, by
developing the technology to reliably predict how patients
who have relapsed on conventional therapies are likely to
respond to new drugs.
It is hoped that this ability to predict patient responses will
help to spare patients unnecessary treatments and provide
more accurate information for doctors.
The need for this kind of tailored
treatment is especially acute in childhood
leukaemia, where relapse patients
generally have a poor outcome.
“This project will develop the technology
to take a certain patient and generate a
molecular profile, then tailor a specific
therapy to the particular needs of that
patient,” said Assoc Prof Lock (pictured).
“Hopefully this will also avoid patients
being treated with drugs that will not be
effective against that particular patient’s
leukaemia, while optimising the use of
potentially active drugs leading to improved likelihood of
cure. We are making great progress.
“In the past, we have been unable to attract the funding to
get this project off the ground, and had students working
on the project on a part-time basis. Now with Grant-in-Aid
funding, for the first time we have been able put two of our
very bright postdoctoral researchers on the project, giving
the project the impetus to move forward.”
PAGE 11
Getting involved
Foundation a winner from Marathon
Imagine your heart thumping as the
start gun fires and you take off along
the River Thames, catching glimpses
of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre
before reaching the halfway mark at
the commanding Tower Bridge...
Leukaemia Foundation directly impacts
and benefits patients and families.
“I have been involved with the Leukaemia
Foundation for nearly six years and have
helped out at events ever since my wife
Rose started working at the Foundation in
2006,” he said. “I am really proud of the
work the Foundation does.”
Now you’re moving east towards
Canary Wharf, past St. Paul’s
Cathedral, and into the final leg of
the race. As the London Eye comes
into view, you see the sights of Big
Ben and Westminster in the distance...
Minutes later you pass the finish line
in front of Buckingham Palace with an
enormous, proud smile...
Lorry’s preparation for London has been
intense. He has never attempted a full
marathon, but says the London Marathon
has been on his “bucket list” for a while.
Lorry Senesi and his wife, Rose, at their
‘London Calling’ fundraiser.
“I have been a long distance runner for
over 10 years, but have never managed
to get inspired to go the full distance –
until now!” said Lorry.
This will be the thrilling experience for
37,500 runners on 22 April as they compete in the world’s
largest fundraising event, the Virgin London Marathon.
Among the pack will be 10 runners representing the
Leukaemia Foundation, who together are raising more than
$100,000 to help us support Australians with blood cancer.
“My training has been pretty intensive, and I am really
focused on building up my kilometres before London. I’m
putting lots of bananas, water and carbs in my belly too!”
Our sincere thanks and best wishes go to Adrian Ng,
Lorry Senesi, Matt Conti, Tina Noutsos, Clem Chan, Marie
Johnson, Ian Sackett, Steve Biddle and Rae Powys who will
line up at the starting line.
“My aim was to raise $10,000 and that box is now ticked,”
said Lorry. “All of this money stays with the Foundation.”
Adelaide’s Lorry Senesi said he signed up for the event
after seeing firsthand how the money raised for the
Lorry paid tribute to friends and family who have
supported his fundraising efforts.
Look out for a report on how our runners fare in the Virgin
London Marathon in our next edition of The Carer.
Ace adventurers wanted for kokoda trek
The Leukaemia Foundation and Inspired Adventures are
offering a life-changing opportunity to trek the legendary
Kokoda Track on the 70th anniversary of the valiant battle
fought by Australian soldiers there.
Inspired Adventures. “Now, 70 years later, it is one of the
world’s great treks, linking the south and north coast of Papua
New Guinea through 96 kilometres of rugged mountain
terrain, tropical rainforest and unspoiled villages.
By joining the 12-day adventure from October 25 to
November 5 this year, you will be helping the Leukaemia
Foundation to fund free services to support Australians
facing the challenge of blood cancer – from diagnosis,
through treatment and beyond.
“During this once-in-a-lifetime experience, by day you’ll
challenge yourself as you walk the trail, encountering
orchids, birds and fresh mountain streams. At night you’ll
stay in secluded jungle camps and share experiences
with the Koiari and Orokaiva people in some of the most
remote regions of Papua New Guinea.
Trip highlights will include walking in the footsteps of
Australian soldiers and learning about the history at the
battle sites, as well as gaining an insight into the culture of
the villages visited.
“In 1942, the Kokoda Track area was the scene for bitter
fighting as the Australian Army fought to defend Port Moresby
from the advancing forces of the Japanese,” says Sophie from
“Most importantly, you’ll be raising funds for the
Leukaemia Foundation with every step you take.”
For more information: download an information pack
from www.inspiredadventures.com.au/LFkokoda; email
[email protected]; or call 1300 905 188.
The Carer welcomes feedback from our readers.
If you have a comment on a particular article or a suggestion for a story,
please email [email protected] or call 1800 620 420.
Leukaemia Foundation
Freecall: 1800 620 420
Email: [email protected]
Mail: GPO Box 9954 in your capital city
Web site: www.leukaemia.org.au
PAGE 12