Talking Blood Cancer

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Jacinta Smith about her journey facing acute myeloid leukaemia. Jacinta shares her experience from the initial diagnosis through the many physical and emotional challenges that followed, providing an honest account of what it means to adjust to life with a blood cancer diagnosis. Talking about Jacinta’s busy life...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff sits down with Carlos Soto to discuss his experience as a bone marrow transplant survivor after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia at the age of 20. Carlos details the challenges he faced following his diagnosis in Mexico, the difficulties in finding a diagnosis, the struggle to access treatment, and the reality of funding...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff sits down with Sam and his partner, Sally, to explore the reality of receiving and living with a blood cancer diagnosis as a young family in Australia. Sam shares the circumstances leading to his diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, describing the early symptoms, initial misdiagnosis, and the shock that followed. Sally...

In this episode of Talking Blood Cancer, host Maryanne Skarparis sits down with Garry Kafoa, a proud Minjungbal man from the Bundjalung nation, to reflect on his experience with acute myeloid leukaemia and his journey of healing and resilience. Garry shares how his diagnosis at age 44 dramatically changed the course of his life as a professional fisherman. He discusses his early symptoms, the dela...

In this episode of Talking Blood Cancer, host Kate Arkadieff welcomes Trudy Marr to share her experience as a mother caring for her young son, Bobby, who was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just three and a half years old. Providing a first-hand look at the journey from early symptoms and the process of seeking a diagnosis, through to navigating hospital systems, and the dai...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff sits down with Denise Andres to talk about her lived experience supporting her husband, Jacob, through his diagnosis and five-year journey with multiple myeloma. Denise shares openly about the shock of diagnosis, the rapid changes it brought to their daily lives, and the shift from being a partner to becoming a carer. Explori...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis is joined by guest Graham Lewis to discuss his lived experience with blood cancer, specifically mantle cell lymphoma. Based in Adelaide, Graham Lewis shares his journey, beginning with his initial diagnosis and the circumstances that led him to seek medical advice. He recounts undergoing both autologous and allogeneic ste...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff is joined by Nicole Sanzo, who shares her personal journey with blood cancer and following diagnoses. Nicole was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at just 4 years old. She discusses the challenges of receiving a diagnosis in regional Australia, and the realities of treatment as a young child. As Nicole talks...

*This episode includes discussion of suicide and may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening and consider seeking support if needed. In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis sits down with Barry Du Bois, well-known TV presenter, builder, and ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation, to discuss his lived experience with blood cancer. Ba...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis welcomes guest Candice Forward, a mother of three, who shares her family’s experience with her youngest son River who was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of two and a half. Candice describes the early signs of River’s illness and the response that led to his diagnosis. Detailing the intensiv...

Welcome to a new season of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast! In this episode, host Kate Arkadieff sits down with guest Alysia North who shares her personal journey after being diagnosed in 2022 with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 28. Living in Central Queensland and navigating life as a new mother at the time, Alysia describes the sudden onset of symptoms and the psychological impact of moving from hea...

In this wrap-up episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, hosts Kate Arkadieff and Maryanne Skarparis reflect on the year’s conversations and the impact of sharing lived experiences with blood cancer. Together, they look back at stories shared by people at different stages of their journeys, from those newly diagnosed, to long-term survivors, young parents balancing treatment and family, and he...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis is joined by Ian Brandon to discuss his experiences caring for his wife Cheryl, who battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. They delve into the journey that began in 2012 when Cheryl was first diagnosed, reflecting on the years of treatment and care they underwent together. Ian recounts Cheryl's initial reluctance to seek medical...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Andy Fithall, who shares his personal experience of being diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) at the age of 40. Highlighting the challenges of receiving a blood cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating the “watch and wait” approach, which can be an unfamiliar and sometimes isolat...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis sits down with Prue Meier and her son Chase to discuss their journey navigating blood cancer. Chase, who is now ten years old, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) when he was just four. Chase shared some light-hearted reflections on his memories of the special room where he received cookies during his treatmen...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Yani Zhao, who shares her experience of being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at the age of 21. Yani reflects on how her diagnosis came at a time when she was studying at university and competing at a high level in powerlifting. She describes the early symptoms she noticed, such as fatigue, night swea...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis speaks with guest Melissa Rodger, who shares her family's experience following her daughter Chloe’s diagnosis with acute myeloid leukaemia at just nine years old. Melissa gives an honest recount of Chloe’s initial symptoms, the shock of diagnosis, and the rapid transition into hospital treatment, which included chemothera...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis sits down with guest Sharyn Polce to discuss Sharyn's lived experience with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Sharyn recounts her diagnosis almost 15 years ago and openly talks about the challenges she faced both before and after learning she had blood cancer. Sharyn describes the symptoms that initially went unnoticed, su...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff is joined by Chris Tanti, CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation, for a discussion on supporting people living with blood cancer. Unlike many episodes that focus on patient stories, this conversation offers a unique perspective from the organisational and leadership side of blood cancer support in Australia. Chris reflects on his pe...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis sits down with Associate Professor Dr James Morton to provide an in-depth look at blood and bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of leukaemia and related blood cancers. Dr Morton shares what led him to specialise in transplant medicine, reflecting on early experiences that sparked his interest in how donor immune...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Cathy Koning about her experience living with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Cathy, now 72, was diagnosed 14 years ago and shares insights into her diagnosis, treatment journey, and the ongoing impact of life after stem cell transplant. Cathy reflects on the early symptoms that led to her diagnosis, such as unexpl...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lauren Smith about her experiences surrounding blood cancer. Unlike the usual patient stories shared on the podcast, Lauren recounts her journey accompanying her late husband, Jakeb Smith, through his battle with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when both were just 21 years old. Kate...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff sits down with Ash Bell, who shares her journey with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at the age of 11 and the challenges she faced throughout her treatment and recovery. Ash recounts her active lifestyle before her diagnosis and the symptoms that led to her eventual hospitalisation, including severe back pain caused by cr...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis welcomes Angela Daly, a Senior Social Worker at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, and they discuss the challenges faced by patients diagnosed with blood cancer. Giving insights into her role in helping patients and their families navigate the complex healthcare system. Angela shares the top priorities she addresses...

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Maryanne Skarparis invites Alex Wilson to share his journey navigating the healthcare system following a diagnosis of blood cancer. Alex candidly discusses his experiences, offering insights into the practical challenges and emotional responses at the time of his diagnosis, especially as a young adult. They delve into the importance of unde...