Blood cancer is the single biggest crisis impacting Australian children. Learn how you can help.
As children around Australia sit in classrooms ready to learn, hundreds will not. Their seats will remain empty as they fight blood cancer in hospital – the single biggest disease threatening the lives of school-aged children.
This year, approximately 350 Australian children will be newly diagnosed with blood cancer. Thousands of children are already living with the disease, keeping them stuck in hospital and out of the classroom.
Why better blood cancer care is needed
Chris Tanti, CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation, said that blood cancer now accounts for more than one in three cancers affecting school-aged children.
“A blood cancer diagnosis is often sudden and abruptly removes children from their schools and normal life. They are immediately forced to leave home and the comfort of familiar surrounds and thrust into the scary and unfamiliar world of intensive lifesaving treatment which is prolonged and isolating,” says Mr Tanti.
For a child, a blood cancer diagnosis means going through chemotherapy and targeted treatments that result in lengthy hospital stays. These hospital stays and side effects can last months, years, and for some, a lifetime – keeping them away from school, their families, and their friends.
Children miss 40% to 60% of school in their first year of treatment, with some absent for six to 18 months or more. And, when children do go back to school, it’s a challenge to catch up academically while managing ongoing care and appointments.
“While hospital school programs and remote learning options provide partial continuity from an academic perspective, the social impacts are also significant. More than 70% of young cancer patients feel socially isolated during treatment with many saying they felt “different” when they returned to school due to hair loss, scars or needing protective measures,” says Mr Tanti.
How you can help through the World’s Greatest Shave
When somebody donates to the World’s Greatest Shave, it goes directly towards funding the Leukaemia Foundation’s critical blood cancer care, support and research efforts. Learn about the different types of assistance and support provided below.
The Leukaemia Foundation’s flagship fundraising campaign – the World’s Greatest Shave – is calling on the Australian community to help by signing up to shave, cut, or colour their hair and raise life-changing funds for blood cancer care.
