New Zealand: Leukaemia & Blood Foundation

Member’s description

• Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myeloproliferative neoplasms – MPNs) and serious blood conditions.
• LBC is not a government organisation and is supported through voluntary donations from supporters, sponsors and fundraisers, plus grant and funding applications.
• LBC is committed to improving the quality of life for our patients and their families/whānau. LBC provides individualised support to patients, runs support programmes for adults and children, facilitates education sessions, and provides emergency financial assistance.
• LBC has support centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, and our team travels to other parts of New Zealand regularly.

Organizational objectives and key programs

• Patient Support
We provide personalised support programmes for patients and their families. This can include regular visits, phone or email contact, as well as face to face education and support programmes, and online information forums. We also have a toll free number for advice and support.
• Information
We provide the latest information for patients, families, health professionals and communities to improve understanding about blood cancers and conditions. This information can be accessed either online or in printed forms (booklets, factsheets, etc).
• Generate awareness
We work to increase public knowledge of blood cancers and conditions.
• Advocate on behalf of patients and their families
We represent the needs of patients and their families to the government, related agencies and other relevant organisations.
• Research
We contribute around half a million each year to cancer research. This includes supporting the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Research Unit, funding independent blood cancer research projects, funding for those going through CAR T-cell trials via the Malaghan Institute, travel grants, summer studentships and PhD scholarships.