September not only marks the first day of spring but also National Blood Cancer Awareness Month, which works to break barriers for treatments for Australians with blood cancers.

The stats show that every 31 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and blood cancers remain the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer. (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

The newly established federally appointed Blood Cancer Taskforce wants to change that.

The Blood Cancer Taskforce, a collaboration of some of the country’s top blood cancer experts and leaders launched today. The Taskforce will be co-led by Chairman of Leukaemia Foundation and ex-Deputy Chair of Mater Research, Carrie Hillyard and Executive Director of Mater Research Professor Maher Gandhi will be heading the diagnostic working group.

The Taskforce’s aim, called the National Action Plan, is very simple—every Australian with a blood cancer should have equitable access to the best information, treatment and supportive care. It sets out the priority areas, objectives and actions for addressing the challenges of blood cancer to achieve the vision of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

“The diagnostic working group will support the National Action Plan by helping those afflicted with blood cancers to have better lives/outcomes in the coming decades. We want to help research and end blood cancers. It’s time to break the barriers and give a voice to these silent diseases,” Professor Gandhi said.

This September we’re asking you to help break down the barriers that stand between people with blood cancer and the best treatments for them. Because helping people get the treatment they need saves lives.

Find out more about the National Blood Cancer Taskforce.