Over the last 25 years, the Leukaemia Foundation – thanks to funds raised through the World’s Greatest Shave – has committed more than $65 million towards blood cancer research in Australia.
This is an extraordinary achievement for our community and paves the way for a brighter future for Australians living with blood cancer.
From groundbreaking new drugs and treatment pathways to cutting-edge programs and clinical trials, World’s Greatest Shave fundraisers are giving renewed hope to those who need it most. And that’s bloody beautiful.
Bill Stavreski, the Leukaemia Foundation Head of Research, is grateful for every person who has taken part this year – and is excited about what the future holds for blood cancer research.
"Every shave, cut, and splash of colour represents hope for Australians facing blood cancer. Thanks to our supporters, research is transforming lives through better treatments, more targeted therapies, and improved survival. While there’s still more to do, the future of blood cancer research is brighter than ever – powered by a community determined to make a difference," he says.
Why is blood cancer research important?
Blood cancer research is important as it helps us better understand blood cancer and how we can treat it more safely and effectively, giving hope to the 55 Australians diagnosed with the disease each and every day.
While significant progress has been made in the blood cancer research space – with better treatments, faster diagnoses, and cheaper drugs made available – more needs to be done.
Blood cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst Australian children, with many forced to spend time away from their friends, families, and education. To make matters worse, rates are on the rise. Blood cancer is set to become Australia’s most prevalent and deadly form of cancer by 2035, which is why further funds and research is needed. There are also so many unknowns when it comes to blood cancer.
"Unlike many other cancers, we still do not fully understand what causes blood cancer or how to prevent it,” says Leukaemia Foundation Research and Evidence Lead, Emily Kovacev. "Research is the only way forward. It is how we uncover breakthroughs, develop safer and more effective treatments, and give people facing blood cancer more time, more hope, and more life to live."
How World’s Greatest Shave fundraisers have powered game-changing research
In addition to helping provide life-changing support for patients and families today, World’s Greatest Shave fundraisers help shape a better tomorrow through groundbreaking research projects and breakthroughs.
Just last year, the World’s Greatest Shave community helped make this kind of progress possible:
- $600,000 committed to new research in 2024-25 across 5 new research projects
- 17 submissions supporting subsidy for drugs and other therapeutics
- 6 policy submissions on a variety of issues important to consumers
Giving renewed hope to those who need it most
The funds raised through the World’s Greatest Shave help power life-changing research projects such as MoST-LLy (Molecular Screening and Therapeutics in Leukaemia and Lymphoma), giving renewed hope to Australians with hard-to-treat blood cancers who have exhausted standard treatment options.
This cutting-edge program uses genomic screening to identify unique molecular drivers of an individual’s blood cancer. This information is then used to link patients to targeted therapies or clinical trials that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
When the program launched, this technology was limited to patients with specific blood cancers. But now, thanks to the generosity of World’s Greatest Shave donors and fundraisers, this program has expanded to all blood cancers – giving renewed hope to hundreds of Australians who need it most.
“MoST-LLy provides the possibility of remission, or in some cases, the priceless gift of more time with loved ones. There’s truly nothing more meaningful," says Bill.
Donate to blood cancer research
Want to help support this kind of life-changing research and give hope to Australian families? Simply make a donation on the World’s Greatest Shave website or take your impact even further by signing up to shave, cut, or colour your hair for the World’s Greatest Shave. However you choose to support the cause, you’ll be making a real difference in the lives of Australians facing blood cancer – giving them hope for a brighter future. And that’s bloody beautiful.
