As young people around Australia return to classrooms this week, hundreds will not – their desks sit empty as they fight the single biggest disease threatening the lives of school-aged children in Australia today – blood cancer.
This year alone, 350 Australian children will be newly diagnosed with blood cancer – the most common and life-threatening childhood cancer in the country. Thousands of local kids are already living with the disease, enduring aggressive treatments in a bid to save their lives and forcing them out of schools for lengthy periods of time.
Chris Tanti, CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation said blood cancer now accounts for more than one in three cancers affecting school-aged children, yet it remains a largely hidden national tragedy. ‘No other disease in Australia is threatening the lives of children on the same scale as blood cancer,’ he said.
‘Far too many kids are fighting for their lives and swapping classrooms for hospital rooms when they should be learning, playing and laughing with friend. Metro, regional and rural communities are all bearing the brunt of this insidious disease which is ripping away childhoods at a growing rate.’
Worrying trend
Over the past 20 years, blood cancer incidence has increased by almost 30 per cent among children aged 5 to 14 years. The Leukaemia Foundation warns if this trend continues, more than 400 children a year could face a blood cancer diagnosis within the next decade, with catastrophic impacts.
‘A blood cancer diagnosis is often sudden and abruptly removes children from their schools and normal life,’ said Mr Tanti. ‘They are immediately forced to leave home and the comfort of familiar surrounds and thrust into the scary and unfamiliar world of intensive lifesaving treatment which is prolonged and isolating.’
Children with blood cancer endure chemotherapy and targeted treatments, lengthy hospital stays and severe side effects that can last months, years, and sometimes a lifetime. For many, treatment can take up to three years with children frequently missing 40-60 per cent of school in their first year of treatment, with some absent for six to 18 months or more.
The impact on their education, development and wellbeing is severe, with fatigue, anxiety and cognitive effects commonly known as ‘chemo brain’ disrupting learning and concentration, creating gaps that can persist for years.
Returning to school is also a challenge, as children try to catch up academically while managing ongoing medical care and appointments during school hours.
Social impacts
‘While hospital school programs and remote learning options provide partial continuity from an academic perspective, the social impacts are also significant,’ said Mr Tanti.
‘More than 70 per cent of young cancer patients feel socially isolated during treatment with many saying they felt “different” when they returned to school due to hair loss, scars or needing protective measures. Crucial memory-making milestones are also often missed like school camps, excursions, birthday parties, sports seasons and formals.
‘For adolescents, this can impact their identity formation, body image and independence, further contributing to long-term mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.’
The Leukaemia Foundation supports thousands of Australians and their families every year impacted blood cancer who say their lives have been completely reshaped by their diagnosis.
Mr Tanti added, ‘With blood cancer incidence climbing in all ages, we are on a mission to reach every child and every adult affected and provide crucial support and services to minimise the impacts – but fundamentally we need Australia’s help.’
World’s Greatest Shave
Launching nationally today, the Leukaemia Foundation’s iconic fundraising campaign – the World’s Greatest Shave – is calling on the Australian community to help this national tragedy playing out in classrooms by signing up to shave, cut, or colour their hair and raise vital funds.
‘The World’s Greatest Shave is the Leukaemia Foundation’s biggest injection of funds each year that enables us to continue our life-changing support for patients and their loved ones and to further invest in crucial blood cancer research,’ said Mr Tanti.
‘Our goal is to raise $12 million this year, but we simply cannot do it alone. Schools are in fact one of the biggest contributors to the World’s Greatest Shave with thousands of students taking part each year, highlighting the impact that blood cancer has within the school community.
‘However, every person in Australia who shaves, cuts, or colours their hair, or donates to someone who is, helps to ensure no one faces blood cancer without support and we deeply encourage people of all ages to get behind this year’s campaign.’
Support
Services provided by the Leukaemia Foundation include accommodation during treatment (a home away from home), transport assistance to appointments, education and information, and practical, financial, emotional and mental health support – regardless of where families live.
The Leukaemia Foundation also invests in leading blood cancer research to support the development and access to new treatments and the future prevention of blood cancers to stem the rise in incidence and mortality for children, and all Australians.
To be counted in the fight against blood cancer and help support children and Australians of all ages living with the disease, register to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.
