Arrow Foundation

Serina was fit, healthy, and working full time. One day, in the middle of winter, she felt some unusual pain in her calf muscles as she walked to work. By the time she’d been at work a few hours, she felt so unwell that she needed to go home. So she did a routine blood test at her GP on her way home. That night, she received a call asking her to go to Royal Perth Hospital in the morning, where more blood tests confirmed the diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Months in hospital followed, with intravenous chemotherapy in an attempt to achieve remission prior to a stem cell transplant.

Serina’s life has certainly changed since her transplant and she has suffered some quite severe post-transplant issues including graft v. host disease (GvHD).

All in all, Serina has 15 ongoing health issues to deal with, requiring frequent specialist appointments and many medications, most of which have cost a lot of time and money.

Since the transplant, Serina has not been able to return full time to work – “Looking after my body is definitely a full-time job” said Serina.

It has been a struggle financially dealing with the ongoing medical costs, all without being able to work. Fortunately, Arrow was there to support Serina and help towards her daily living costs.

“Arrow has been incredible - I have received petrol vouchers and food vouchers. I am so incredibly grateful. It takes the weight off. When they told me over the phone that I was getting that support, I sighed out loud. It makes such a massive difference.

“And it’s not just the financial support that helps. It is lovely even having a conversation with Arrow Team members as they understand, and I am also sharing my knowledge. This makes me feel very valued as a person.”

Over $30,000 was raised by Dry July 2025 participants for the Arrow Patient Support Program, which provides essential financial, emotional and educational assistance to those undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

“Arrow helped me and my family get through my treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and one of the hardest times in our lives. I have experienced a bone marrow transplant not just once, but twice. It's certainly been a rough ride, for the whole family emotionally and financially. I don’t know how we got through it. 

But Arrow supported us through this time, and that’s made a huge difference. We received vouchers which helped cover travel costs for treatment and care. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported Dry July Foundation and Arrow, we are truly grateful”

- Courtney, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Patient

Every year, more than 2,000 Australians receive lifesaving bone marrow transplants to treat blood cancers and other serious blood diseases. Acting today, with an eye on the future, Arrow's mission is to support every Australian enduring tough, but lifesaving, bone marrow and stem cell transplants.

After experiencing chronic back pain and tingling in her toes—sensations that gradually spread to her knees and waist—Aamu suddenly lost feeling in her legs. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Aamu was 37 years old and shocked to be receiving a blood cancer diagnosis. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and an autologous bone marrow transplant followed.

“Gruelling,” is how Aamu describes that time in her life, and not just the treatment itself, but the long-term impact it has had on her family.

“I was off work for 10 months, but we still had to run a household and keep our two kids moving along and happy despite everything that was going on. And we still had to pay all the bills without the usual income coming in. It’s a lot to hold it all together.”

After a long recovery, just as life was beginning to feel normal again, Aamu's pain returned. She required additional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a second transplant.

Financial worries only added to the stress—from covering daily living expenses to the extra costs of traveling to hospital appointments and medical tests.

“I don’t know how we got through it,” Aamu says. “You have two options. You can fall in a heap, or you can make it work. I chose to just make it work. People think you just have your transplant and then everything goes back to normal, but it doesn’t. There are ongoing checks and tests and maintenance treatments month in and month out, and all that takes a lot of time and money. It’s not easy. But the help we received from Arrow really made a difference. It takes a village when your whole world comes crashing down around you, and Arrow was part of that village for us.”

Arrow is deeply grateful for the generous support received through the Dry July Foundation's 2024 campaign.

Thanks to a total of $45,729 raised through the generosity of Dry July participants, their donors, and our successful grant application, we have been able to extend vital support to hundreds more adult cancer patients, along with their families and carers, during one of the most challenging times in their lives and treatment journeys.

Patient Support Program Impact

We are pleased to report that, with this funding, we were able to support an additional 128 patients who received a bone marrow or stem cell transplant to fight blood cancer this year. Our support assisted not just the patients, but the families and carers, meaning the actual number of individuals impacted was even greater.

Many of the patients we supported have Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), but we also assisted those diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), myeloma and lymphoma.

We received and approved over 220 applications for assistance. Support from the Dry July campaign has helped patients manage essential living expenses during their treatment – covering costs such as groceries, fuel, taxi/uber fares, accommodation, car registration, phone and internet bills, and electricity. The two largest areas of need were grocery vouchers totalling $22,100, followed by petrol vouchers at $13,000.

Through our strong national network of hospital social workers, we were able to reach patients across 26 hospitals in every Australian state, including:

• Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC

• Westmead Hospital, NSW

• St Vincent’s Hospital, NSW

• Liverpool Hospital, NSW

• Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW

• Canberra Hospital, ACT

• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD

• The Alfred Hospital, VIC

• The Austin Hospital, VIC

• Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA

• Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS

• Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA

This program not only reduces financial stress by easing the burden of everyday household and medical-related travel expenses – it also provides emotional support. Patients, families and carers report feeling more informed, connected, and less alone.

While we are incredibly proud of the statistics, it’s the individual stories that remind us why this support matters so much. Behind these figures, are real patients who have been significantly impacted, both emotionally and financially by the generous funding from the Dry July Foundation. Here are just a couple of message from patients:

“I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of my family for everything you’ve done for us. Your support has meant the world during this incredibly difficult time. This journey has been incredibly challenging but knowing that we have such thoughtful support makes a huge difference. Please pass on our gratitude, your kindness does not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate everything you do, and we are so grateful to have you in our corner.”

“Just a special little message to thank Arrow for your much appreciated support in my fight against Leukaemia. Arrow's support of the voucher for the flight has made this travel much less of a financial struggle for the family.”

Thank You, Dry July Foundation!

With a significant increase in referrals this year, the funding provided by the Dry July Foundation has been absolutely vital in helping us support patients, families and carers.

We are truly grateful to everyone at the Dry July Foundation including the participants, donors, corporate partners, the Dry July team and all those who support the campaign for making this possible.

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge and for choosing to support Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation in our very first year! We are delighted to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $45,729 for people with blood cancer through the Arrow Patient Support Program. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Arrow’s Patient Support Program empowers our patients with information, supports their mental health and provides financial assistance for essential groceries, utility bills and additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred during treatment.

Your incredible support and fundraising through the Dry July 2024 campaign, will help us to assist an additional 60 patients, their carers and their families and will make a huge impact on many lives.

A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is a risky and lengthy medical procedure which requires extended periods of time in hospital and causes significant financial hardship to patients and their families. The treatment is also mentally tough, faced with the potential life-threatening complications of treatment, and in some cases the anxiety of not finding a matched donor.

These patients need financial and emotional support throughout their difficult journey so they can focus on what is most important – their treatment and recovery. And because of you we can make that possible.

“No words can express how thankful and grateful we are that Arrow can help us with our electricity bill. Thanks again for your continuous support.”

On behalf of the team at Arrow, our board members and all the people that we support, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people who have received a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.