TRANSFORMING CLINICAL CARE: IMPACT OF LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION’S RESEARCH FUNDING INTO BLOOD CANCER
With
Bill Stavreski, Head of Research
Leukaemia Foundation, Australia
RESEARCH IMPACT
Filmed in Melbourne | May 2025
Released to coincide with World Blood Cancer Day 2025
The Leukaemia Foundation is committed to funding research innovations that drive advancements in new diagnostics, treatments and novel therapies, supporting the careers of promising scientists and clinicians and giving Australians access to global clinical trials.
The Leukaemia Foundation state there are over 120 different types of blood cancer and all of which the Foundation provides support to people.
Bill Stavreski is the Head of Research at the Leukaemia Foundation who talks about the research impact in recent years. The Foundation itself marks its 25th anniversary in 2025, having funded a wide range of health and medical research since 2000. With a focus on basic science, health services research, treatment, and care, the organisation has invested nearly $90 million (adjusted in current dollars terms) in approximately 370 research grants over the years.
The Foundation primarily relies on the generosity of public donations, with no government funding. This funding has led to significant advancements in clinical practice, including a groundbreaking diagnostic test now available across Australia, significantly easing the financial burden on patients.
One notable achievement includes the first successful growth of leukaemic cells in a dish, facilitating advancements in treatment testing. Additionally, the Foundation established a pioneering genomic screening program for patients with hard-to-treat blood cancers, significantly improving the chances of finding effective treatments.
Through this work, the Foundation underscores that research is centred on people, aiming to transform lives and support families affected by blood cancer.
Source: Adapted from the Leukaemia Foundation website and transcript
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Infections and other lung diseases using models of human lung tissue grown from stem cells
Dr Rhiannon Werder is a Team Leader at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute leading a multidisciplinary team, combining expertise in stem cell biology and immunology, to develop new therapies for lung diseases. Her research centres around induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate respiratory diseases, spanning acute respiratory infections to chronic lung diseases. Using stem cells, Dr Werder’s team creates models of human lung tissue. With these models, Dr Werder is investigating how human-specific pathogens infect different regions of the lung, the ensuing immune responses, and how the lung repairs itself after infections, especially in people with preexisting lung diseases.
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Cancer survivorship and exercise oncology
Professor Sandra Hayes is the Director of Research at Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ), where she leads a comprehensive cancer research program encompassing cancer epidemiology, prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship.
With a BAppSci (Hons) and a PhD in exercise oncology, Professor Hayes’s expertise lies in quantifying the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on physical and psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and survival. She also evaluates innovative supportive care strategies, particularly exercise, to improve post-cancer lives.
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Dr Ryan O’Hare Doig
NEIL SACHSE CENTRE FOR SPINAL CORD RESEARCH (SAHMRI)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
