Surviving the scare of blood cancer

At a briefing conducted by the Leukaemia Foundation on World Blood Cancer Day, three people who have been through diagnosis and treatment shared their experiences to raise awareness and encourage others to act swiftly when confronted with such health issues.

‘My experience began subtly. I felt a lump in my neck – a symptom easily dismissed in the busy life of a Member of Parliament,’ said Eden Foster, Member for Mulgrave. 

‘But something felt off. That nagging intuition, that quiet voice telling me to pay closer attention, became my most crucial advocate. It led me to seek answers, to push for further investigation, even when initial blood tests didn't immediately reveal the full picture.

‘Like many, I had to fight for a diagnosis, navigating various tests and consultations, and it was this persistence that likely saved my life. This is why I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your own body and self-advocacy in your healthcare. If something feels amiss, trust that instinct.’

Deborah Henderson, who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2024 for service to community health particularly through cancer awareness, told MPs that she had been living with blood cancer for 14 years.

‘I had CAR-T therapy in the middle of COVID lockdown in September 2020,’ she said, noting how hard that period was ‘because we couldn’t have our families with us’.

‘But that therapy worked for me and I have been off all medication for four years,’ she said.

Survivor Josh Gourlay said the Leukaemia Foundation provided an immense amount of support, including emotional and financial, as well as lived knowledge and experience. He emphasised the importance of that support once treatment has concluded.

‘My big thing is after treatment. What happens when the cancer’s done, when all is said and done, when, you know, life is supposed to go back to normal,’ he said.

‘The emotional scars, the psychological damage, that doesn’t go away. You’re always on the backfoot, you’re always second-guessing every tiny little sign, symptom.’

Manager of Government Relations at the Leukaemia Foundation, Andrew Mosley noted that since July 2021, in Victoria alone, they have provided 11,000 nights of free accommodation to patients who had nowhere else to turn, particularly for regional patients who have to travel further.

‘For 50 years the Leukaemia Foundation has stood beside Australians facing one of life’s most devastating diagnosis of blood cancer,’ he said. ‘Every day our team of expert health professionals wraps around families in crisis, offering practical support, emotional strength and hope.’

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier commended the Leukaemia Foundation for its work, indicating how vital the support is for people living with blood cancer.

The briefing was part of a regular series hosted by Legislative Assembly Speaker Maree Edwards providing an opportunity for MPs to hear about the community work of organisations across Victoria.

“It’s been a great way for members of parliament to engage with those organisations and the people within those organisations,’ she said.