Education & support programmes

The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation run a number of education and support programmes. These are designed to give patients and families information which will help them make informed choices about their condition, treatment and lifestyle, as well as the opportunity to meet other people with similar experiences.

Each session offers a safe environment where people can come together to share experiences, as well as explore and address their own needs & questions. Being able to access this type of information can empower people to take control of their disease, learn more about it, and make informed choices about treatments and quality of life issues.

Each education & support programme is listed below. Click here for details of upcoming sessions in your area.

Auckland & Northland

Debbie Moore | Support Services Coordinator | debbie@leukaemia.org.nz | 0800 15 10 15 opt 2

Northland: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation facilitate several education and support meetings in the Auckland area for people living with a blood cancers and conditions. We are now pleased to announce a group especially for patients in Northland. The programme was launched with a session by Phil Kerslake, Cancer survivor & author, in April this year. This group is facilitated in conjunction with The Cancer Society Northland at Daffodil House, Whangarei.

Auckland: Multiple Myeloma
This group meets five times per year, usually on a Monday morning. Meetings are often held at Domain Lodge (1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton), but the venue, time and date varies. A guest speaker is often invited and topics range from lifestyle advice to medical information. This is followed by morning tea and the opportunity to talk with others. Anyone affected by myeloma is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers.

Auckland: Chronic Leukaemia
This group meets four times per year. Venue, date and time can vary. It is usually held in the evening to accommodate those participants who work fulltime. Guest speakers are often invited, and nibbles are provided. Anyone affected by chronic forms of leukaemia (both CML and CLL) is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers.

Auckland: Moving on...the Next Step - Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Survivorship
This is a structured programme for patients who have recently undergone bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, and their families. It comprises four separate sessions run over the course of the year following your transplant. Participants are welcome to the programme at any time throughout the year. The sessions focus on moving on after your transplant and returning to a normal life. This is facilitated in conjunction with the Bone Marrow Transplant Service at Auckland City Hospital.

Auckland: Lymphoma
This group meets four times per year but venue, time and date varies. It is usually held in the evening or at weekends to accommodate people who work fulltime and often features guest speakers on topics from lifestyle advice to medical information. Each year, in September, World Lymphoma Awareness Day is celebrated and the group meets for a special event to mark the day. Anyone affected by lymphoma is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers

Waikato & Bay of Plenty

Amy Munro | Support Services Manager | amy@leukaemia.org.nz | 0800 15 10 15 opt 3

Waikato: Multiple Myeloma
This group meets five times per year, in Hamilton, usually on a Friday afternoon.. A guest speaker is often invited and topics range from lifestyle advice to medical information. This is followed by afternoon tea and the opportunity to talk with others. Anyone affected by myeloma is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers.

Waikato: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This group meets approximately every second month, and was formed after many requests from people in the Waikato region who live with these diseases. It is a forum to meet others and discuss a wide range of topics, from how best to manage side effects of treatment, to the impact of diagnosis. Anyone affected by blood cancers and conditions is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers.

Tauranga: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This group meets five times per year and is run in conjunction with the Bay of Plenty Cancer Centre at Tauranga Hospital. It is a forum to meet others and discuss a wide range of topics, from how best to manage side effects of treatment, to the impact of diagnosis. Anyone affected by blood cancers and conditions is welcome to attend, including patients, families and caregivers.

Central Region

Yvonne Anderson | Support Services Coordinator | yvonne@leukaemia.org.nz | 0800 15 10 15 opt 4

Hawkes Bay: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions (morning)
Aimed at people who are available during the day, this informal patient & family group meets four times per year in the morning (usually a Thursday). It is a social group with the emphasis on normalising feelings and experiences in a positive manner. Some groups will include structured education sessions. Dates and times vary.

Hawkes Bay: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions (evening)
Designed to cater for working people, this informal patient & family group meets four times per year in the evening (usually a Thurday). It is a social group with the emphasis on normalising feelings and experiences in a positive manner. Some groups will include structured education sessions. Dates and times vary.

Taranaki: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This informal patient & family group meets four times a year. It is a social group with the emphasis on normalising feelings and experiences in a positive manner. Dates and times vary.

Wanganui: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This is a morning coffee group which meets four times a year.  Anyone affected by a blood cancer or condition, including family and friends are more than welcome to attend. This group is co-facilitated by the Wanganui Cancer Society.

Palmerston North: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This informal patient & family group meets once every two months (usually a Saturday). It is a social group with the emphasis on normalising feelings and experiences in a positive manner. Some groups will include structured education sessions and inspirational movie night. Dates and times vary.

Wairarapa: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This group meets for a luncheon twice a year for anyone living with a blood cancer or condition and their family. There is often a guest speaker. This group is co-facilitated by the Wairarapa Cancer Society.

Wellington: Multiple Myeloma
The Wellington Multiple Myeloma group meets regularly. The group is supported by the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. For more information, please email John & Jan Jamieson on jmjjkiwi@xtra.co.nz">jmjjkiwi@xtra.co.nz or contact Yvonne Anderson.

Wellington: Blood-Related Cancers and Conditions
This informal patient & family group meets once every two months (usually a Thursday evening). It is a social group with the emphasis on normalising feelings and experiences in a positive manner. Some groups will include structured education sessions and inspirational movie night. Dates and times vary.

Southern Region

Christine Kerr | Support Services Coordinator | christine@leukaemia.org.nz | 0800 15 10 15 opt 5

Christchurch: Multiple Myeloma
This group meets every second month during the evening with invited guest speakers.  The meetings provides an opportunity to learn more and to also meet other people living with myeloma.  Open to patients, family and caregivers.  Light refreshments provided. 

Christchurch: Lymphoma
This group was launched this year in response to requests from patients and families. This informal group meets one morning a month.  Open to patients, family and caregivers, providing an opportunity to meet and talk with others affected by lymphoma and related conditions.  Morning tea provided.