News

New resources for children now available

We are very pleased to introduce two new picture books written specifically for children who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer. Joe has Leukaemia & Tom has Lymphoma have been adapted from similar resources in Great Britain and are a first in New Zealand.

Generously supported by Air New Zealand through their Kids at Christmas Charity Auction, these two books are now available. Although designed for children with blood cancers, they may also be useful for children who have a family member recently diagnosed with acute leukaemia or lymphoma, as they describe the processes of diagnosis and treatment.

Please contact your local Support Services Coordinator for more information by phoning 0800 15 10 15 or by email info@leukaemia.org.nz.

Clinical Trials information – a New Zealand first!

We’re very pleased to bring you a new addition to our range of patient information booklets. Clinical Trials – a guide for patients, families and whanau gives an overview of what is involved in a clinical trial. Detailing everything from how a trial works, to what is required of you if you become enrolled in a trial, the booklet is designed to complement information given by your specialist doctor and ensure that you feel fully informed of your choices. The booklet is a first for New Zealand, and has been put together by clinical trials staff in New Zealand in conjunction with international publications.

The booklet is available for download here. Hard copies are available in hospitals and treatment centres throughout New Zealand, or you can order a copy, free of charge, from the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation by emailing info@leukaemia.org.nz or phoning 0800 15 10 15.  

Haematology Patient Diary now available

The Haematology Patient Diary has been created in response to numerous requests for such a resource, and is designed for you to keep all the information about your treatment in one place. We are committed to helping you, along with your family and whanau, take control of all the overwhelming information you might be presented with during your diagnosis and treatment.

The diary includes sections for you to record your appointments, treatment details and the medications you are taking. It also has helpful hints about questions you might like to ask your treatment team and places to record important phone numbers.

The diary is available for download here. Hard copies are available in hospitals and treatment centres throughout New Zealand, or you can order a copy, free of charge, from the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation by emailing info@leukaemia.org.nz or phoning 0800 15 10 15.

Lymphoid Cancers 101 – transcript now available

In November, we were fortunate to be joined by Professor Joseph Connors, MD, an internationally renowned expert in lymphoma.

Professor Connors spoke about lymphoma and other lymphoid cancers at an exclusive event for patients & families in Auckland, and joined us for our Ask the Experts forum on LifeBloodLIVE.

Professor Connors’ lecture was filmed, and DVDs are available for loan from the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. We now also have the full transcript, and slides of the lecture available for you to download here.

LBF gets social

Join us on Facebook, You Tube and Twitter! We are posting information about events, resources, programmes, prizes and issues that are important to you.

Facebook: Join our LBF Facebook page and become an LBF fan!
Get information about our events, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, prizes, patient groups, quizzes, newsletters and more! Click here to join us on Facebook!

You Tube: Share your story...
If you would like to help others by sharing your story about living with a blood cancer or condition, post your video on our You Tube channel. Also feel free to post your Shave, Golf Marrowthon and event- related videos on our channel. Click here to go to our You Tube channel. 

Twitter: Tweet.Tweet. Follow us!
Follow the LBF as we discuss relevant issues such as fatigue, survivorship, relocation and other topics that are relevant to you! Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Survivorship: World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2009

Last year, we held several patient and family events around the country focusing on Survivorship to mark World Lymphoma Awareness Day.  Our events in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch have been well attended and feedback from participants has been very positive.

In Auckland, over 60 people were present at Alexandra Park Function Centre for an interesting day of speakers. They heard presentations about varying perspectives of Survivorship from Debbie Moore, Support Services Coordinator at LBF, Richard Armitt, a lymphoma survivor and author, and Dr Hilary Blacklock, Consultant Haematologist.

Click here to view Debbie's presentation, which gives an overview of Survivorship and discusses stages that people may experience.

Click here to watch a short film clip about Survivorship, from an American perspective - as shown at the Auckland event.

In Palmerston North, approximately 25 people attended a workshop held at the Cancer Society rooms. They heard three presentations about Survivorship and the feedback received was very positive. Lisa Speedy, Support Services Coordinator at LBF gave an overview of Survivorship.  Click here to view her slides.

Dr Luke Merriman, Consultant Haematologist, spoke about Late Effects after treatment – click here to view.

Finally, Lizzy Kent & Don Baken, Clinical Psychologists from Palmerston North's Psycho-Oncology Service spoke to the group. Their slides are available here.

In Wellington, approximately 20 people were present for the first event to be held at the new Leukaemia & Blood Foundation office in Newtown. They heard from Phil Kerslake, lymphoma survivor and author, about his perspective on Survivorship. Click here to view Phil's presentation.

In Christchurch, approximately 20 people attended an education session held at the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation office on Oxford Terrace. Phil Kerslake spoke once again, from his unique perspective. Also speaking was Christine Kerr, Support Services Coordinator at LBF, who gave an overview of Survivorship and methods that people can use to cope with their experiences. Click here to view Christine's presentation.  

Taking chemo on the chin

'Taking chemo on the chin' by Richard Armitt offers patients and their families sound, useful advice on how to be “positive, win the war and be a battle scarred survivor” of lymphoma and related blood conditions.

When diagnosed with a blood cancer or condition patients often experience a myriad of feelings - one of which can be fear. Armitt’s book presents a first-hand account of the physical and emotional aspects of the chemotherapy experience and how best to deal with them with confidence. 

The book comes directly as a result of the author’s experiences dealing with his lymphoma diagnosis and its treatment, during which time he personally found supporting literature to be missing the mark and wanted to add his own thoughts and experiences to the mix. The result is a thoughtfully crafted pragmatic guide for patients and families.

Taking chemo on the chin was launched 18 February at Quarry Bar, Smales Farm in Takapuna.

Copies are available for loan from the Support Services resource library at the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation or can be purchased by clicking here http://www.koru-cottage.com.

Chemo Brain – It’s real!

Click here for an interesting article from BMT Infonet in America regarding chemo brain – also known as chemo fog or brain haze. It’s a recognised side effect of chemotherapy and related treatments, and this article discusses what causes chemo brain, as well as offering some tips and coping mechanisms. If this is an issue for you, it’s important to realise you’re not alone. If you’d like to discuss this further, feel free to join the online support and information forum www.lifebloodlive.org.nz or contact your local Support Services Coordinator on 0800 15 10 15.

Fatigue

In response to your requests following our popular patient workshops about fatigue and exercise last year, we have posted a handout (click here to view). This document shows the presentation given at our Hamilton workshop and describes fatigue, and how to cope and manage life with fatigue.

At each of our workshops there was also a session from a physiotherapist or exercise specialist discussing exercise regimes. If you would like more information about these specific regimes, or have questions about fatigue, please contact Support Services on 0800 15 10 15.