News Archive

What would you do if you were unexpectedly diagnosed with a life-threatening disease? For Carole Bartlett, a Research Officer in the School of Animal Biology, it’s not a hypothetical question.

Carole has worked at UWA for nearly two decades and has enjoyed every day she’s had on our beautiful campus. But it was in 2011 that Carole faced the biggest challenge of her life when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening blood disease, AL Amyloidosis.

“If you haven’t personally experienced such a diagnosis it is hard to comprehend the whirlwind that it creates,” said Carole. “So many aspects of life are suddenly turned upside down and it is simply scary!”

Blood diseases are increasingly common. More than 60,000 Australians are living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, and every day another 34 people are diagnosed.

“While research is improving survival, blood cancer claims more Australian lives than breast cancer or melanoma and so more needs to be done. We believe that one day, there will be a cure for everyone and our ongoing investment in research is critical to unlocking that future,” Andrew York, General Manager of the Leukaemia Foundation in WA said.

As part of a recently formed Community Partnership between UWA and the Leukaemia Foundation, the popular Light the Night event will be held on the Great Court at UWA on 9 October 2015.

The event, now in its eighth year, raises funds for blood cancer research and support for families affected by the disease. UWA staff and students can contribute to Light the Night by donating to or joining the UWA team . Carole Bartlett will captain the team on the night.

Walks will take place at dusk, with many thousands of Australians joining together. Each Light the Night attendee will complete a short walk carrying one of three coloured lanterns; gold to remember someone, white for their own journey, or blue to show they care.

“Last year was my first Light the Night,” said Carole. “I expected it to be emotional and there were a few tears as I remembered friends and family lost and celebrated my own journey. What I hadn’t expected was the absolute beauty of the event, for it to be so uplifting, to have such a positive vibe, to find laughter and to really enjoy being there. The sight of all those coloured lanterns too is truly beautiful.”

After her diagnosis, Carole underwent high dose chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant during April 2012. She says she was extremely fortunate to be put in touch with a lady at the Leukaemia Foundation in Brisbane who specialised in support for people with her disease.

“In many ways she became my ‘life jacket’ keeping my head above the water. Always at the end of the telephone line she gave the family counselling, information and perspective. She also put me in touch with the local Leukaemia Foundation office for additional support and networking. In fact she completely changed my life,” said Carole.

Fortunately, after several months of treatment, Carole was able to recover. It has now been three years and she is still in remission.  She can’t say enough good things about the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Having been introduced to the Leukaemia Foundation through personal illness I was absolutely amazed at what they do,” said Carole. “They offer support in every way possible to families affected by a wide range of blood disorders: education, information, support groups, financial, psychological, travel, accommodation and the list goes on.”

“They also give funds to support important research projects aimed at understanding the underlying causes of haematological disease and also research developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. I encourage you to check out their website to appreciate the wonderful job they do,” she said.