Lobbying for new lab to help fight blood cancers

Leukaemia Support Queensland (LSQ) has launched a campaign to build a state-of-the-art pathology laboratory at Redcliffe Hospital, Caboolture Hospital or North Lakes.

LSQ is lobbying for a lab with consultant pathologists and will use the Week for Leukaemia (September 8-12) to raise awareness and funds.

President Jane McMillan said the lab had been the organisation’s “dream for a number of years” and consultants were crucial to help speed up blood test results and diagnosis.

LSQ, a not-for profit run by volunteers, has successfully campaigned for a haematology centre in North Lakes and the pathology lab is seen as the next step.

“There are 37 laboratories in hospitals in Queensland,” she said, “nine of those have consulting pathologists attached.

Time is crucial

“In the Moreton Bay Region we have two of the largest hospitals and we do not have any consulting pathologists.

“Our concern is the time it takes patients to gain results from blood tests when they have been diagnosed with serious diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma etc.”

“The immediate purpose of this campaign, A Day for Leukaemia in the Moreton Bay Region, is to raise the funds to build a state-of-the-art pathology centre’ in our region.”

Ms McMillan said the centre would speed up diagnosis of leukaemias and other life-threatening diseases, as well as attracting specialists for the research facility.

Talks have started with State Deputy Premier and Member for Murrumba Steven Miles, State Health Minister and Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath and Treasurer Cameron Dick. More are planned.

Can take days

Ms McMillan said blood tests are being sent to consultant pathologists at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s or Prince Charles Hospitals and may take five days or more to come back.

“If a consultant pathologist was in one of our main hospitals, here in the Moreton Bay Region, these results would be gained much more quickly,” she said.

“It is imperative for someone who has leukaemia or any cancer to get these results in a timely manner.

“Unfortunately, due to the distance between hospitals in the Moreton Bay region and Kilcoy, these results can sometimes take days to arrive, days that leukaemia patients, do not have.”

COVID restrictions permitting, LSQ volunteers hope to be in major shopping centres during the Week for Leukaemia selling merchandise.

For more visit leukaemiasupport.qld.com.au, email [email protected] or phone 0422 584 080.

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