Leukaemia Foundation
Our Mission is to Care. Our Vision is to
Cure.
Mission to Care
Leukaemias and other blood cancers can
develop in anyone, of any age, at any time turning lives upside
down in an instant.
Regional families in particular often need to relocate to major
cities to be closer to treatment centres for extended periods of
time. They are often far away from their support networks at a
difficult time in their lives, while facing costly medical bills
and loss of income.
The Foundation steps in at this time and provides personalised
support and care for patients and families throughout their journey
from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.
Free support services include:
- home-away-from-home accommodation close to major treatment
centres
- counselling and support
- education programs and support groups
- transport to and from treatment
- practical assistance
Vision to Cure
We are committed to ongoing funding for vital research into
leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.
In Queensland, the Foundation invests more than $1 million each
year in cutting-edge research projects to find the best possible
treatments and ultimately cures for these diseases.
Today, thanks to research and breakthrough treatments by
Australian and overseas scientists, the survival rate for childhood
leukaemia is now 85% and about 40% of adults survive acute
leukaemia.
Maggie's story
Little Maggie Coppin was only hours old when she was diagnosed
with a rare form of leukaemia in February 2008, turning her
parents' lives upside down in an instant.
Before she was three weeks old, Maggie began gruelling
chemotherapy treatment in Brisbane.
After many setbacks through her treatment, causing doctors to
consider turning off her life support at one point, little 'miracle
Maggie' fought through and eventually went into remission.
At three months, Maggie was given a bone marrow transplant via
donated umbilical cord blood and survived weeks of dialysis and
intensive care when her kidneys shut down.
During the seven months of Maggie's treatment, her father John
gave up his job as a painter.
He and her mother Anne were provided with free accommodation at
the Leukaemia Foundation's ESA Village in Brisbane, along with
ongoing support.
"To us that meant the world as it took only 10 minutes to get
"home" no matter what time of day or night. We were guests of
the village for seven months and the care we received was first
class," Anne said.
"The Foundation were like family to us, always there offering a
shoulder to cry on during the knocks and a warm hug when it came
time to go home to Ipswich.
"Having this support meant that we could concentrate on getting
Maggie through this difficult time while still being together as a
family unit."
To John and Anne's joy and amazement, Maggie is going ahead in
leaps and bounds and began kindergarten in 2012. She also enjoys
playing big sister to little Ruby who was welcomed into the world
in 2009.
The Coppins are just one of many families to be supported by
the Leukaemia Foundation each day, with the Foundation's
accommodation and support villages becoming a home-away-from-home
for patients and their families who must relocate to undergo
treatment, alleviating some of the stresses faced at this difficult
time.
* Please note that all donations are paid to the Leukaemia
Foundation Queensland.
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