Australians with blood cancer are set to receive improved treatment and care through a new funding boost.
Working together with the Leukaemia Foundation, the Morrison Government has announced an investment of $995,000 to develop Optimal Care Pathways and a new set of Australian-specific clinical guidelines for a range of blood cancers.
“This will set the standard of care that all Australians should expect to receive when they are diagnosed with blood cancer, regardless of who they are or where they live, or what stage their disease is at,” says Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt.
This new investment builds on the $750,000 provided to the Leukaemia Foundation to develop and implement the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancers, establish the Blood Cancer Taskforce, and complete the first tranche of six new Optimal Care Pathways.
In addition to the Government’s investment, the Leukaemia Foundation is also providing more than $900,000 from its charitable resources for a collaborative research roadmap for blood cancer, and to promote a better understanding of blood cancer within First Nations communities.
The Foundation’s investment will promote a better understanding of the impact of blood cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – gaining a first-ever, clear view of how blood cancer affects First Nations people to inform better, culturally sensitive care.
This funding announcement coincides with the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign, which runs from 16-20 March.
The campaign raises vital funds for families facing a blood cancer diagnosis and helps the Leukaemia Foundation’s goal of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.
