• In 2009, 9,792 Australian are projected to be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma; the equivalent to at least one diagnosis every hour.
• Of these, approximately 47% are diagnosed with lymphomas, 32% with leukaemias and another 21% with myeloma.
• It is estimated that every 2 hours, someone loses their life to leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
• The diseases often develop with little warning, requiring immediate, intensive and lengthy treatment. Families in regional areas often need to uproot their lives and relocate to capital cities virtually overnight. In reality it means leaving work, school, family commitments and friends while dealing with the emotional turmoil of diagnosis and immediate treatment.
• They can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time. On average, treatment lasts for eight months but can last for years.
• Leukaemia is the number one childhood cancer in Australia but it is most common in adults (90%).
• Lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in Australia.
• The incidence of lymphoma in Australia has doubled in the past 20 years for no known reason. It is projected to increase by 30.5% between 2002 – 2011
• Myeloma had the second highest increase in cancer incidence and non-Hodgkin lymphoma the fifth highest increase in the 10 years between 1992 and 2003

How the Leukaemia Foundation changes lives …

• Mission to Care: The Foundation provides personalised care and support to patients, families and carers living in all metropolitan, regional and rural areas across Australia. Support may be provided over the phone or face to face at home, hospital or at the Foundation’s accommodation centres depending on individual needs.
• The Foundation’s free support services includes information, resources, education and support programs, transportation to and from hospital, a ‘home-away-from-home’ in the Foundation’s fully furnished accommodation close to major hospitals, practical assistance and emotional support.
• Vision to Cure: The Leukaemia Foundation funds cutting edge research into better treatments and cures through its National Research Program, dedicating $3.5 million to research in 2008/09.
• The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. 1800 620 420
• •The Foundation also funds research grants, scholarships and fellowships for talented young researchers to promote innovative research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of these cancers and related disorders.
• •Research is making a real difference in our lifetime. 20 years ago, children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) had a 30% chance of survival. Now 80% are likely to survive. There is still a long way to go. Survival rates in adults are still just over 40%.

 For further information or support, please contact the Foundation: 1800 620 420 or www.leukaemia.org.au