Welcome to the Arrow website

Our Foundation

The Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation is a charitable foundation funding medical research into the cause, prevention, treatment and cure of leukaemia and other related diseases treatable by bone marrow and adult stem cell transplantation. Arrow also supports patients and their carers through providing accommodation, patient information guides, assistance with travel costs and our free Wig Library available to patients experiencing hair loss through chemotherapy.

How donations are spent on research and patient support

In July, the Arrow Executive Committee approved the following grants for the 2008 financial year;

  • Funding for a Senior Research Scientist at the Blood Diseases and Cancer Research Unit of St Vincent's Hospital
  • Funding for a Data Collector at the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient registry (ABMTRR)

These grants are in addition to our PhD students conducting their research projects in the fields of leukaemia, bone marrow and adult stem cell transplantation.

Arrow has made a further commitment to improving patient care and now offers six scholarships for nurses involved in the day to day care of patients who wish to improve their skills through courses offered via the College of Nursing.

Free Wig Library

Wig Library Logo

In June, Arrow received a large donation gifted for the maintenance and upkeep of the Tracey Scone Wig Library . This grant will allow us to purchase up to 80 more wigs per year and widen the services we currently offer patients experiencing hair loss through chemotherapy. Wigs are available free of charge for all cancer patients.

 

Travel assistance for patients and their carers

Arrow recently received a grant of $15,000 from the ING Foundation to assist paediatric transplant patients whose families and carers are experiencing hardship covering the cost of travel from regional areas for treatment. Help is also available to non paediatric patients via our Travel Assistance Program.

Helping patients get back on their feet faster

In an effort to decrease the length of stay in hospital and improve patients' quality of life, Arrow has part funded the establishment of a gym area on the transplant ward at St Vincent's Public Hospital Sydney. Post transplant, it is important that patients maintain endurance and increase their strength with the ultimate aim being the avoidance of the need to transfer the patient to the rehabilitation ward. The gym consists of weights, climbing stairs, and an exercise bike and patients can utilize the gym under the direct supervision of the ward physiotherapist.

At the movies!

Patients undergoing transplant often experience prolonged hospitalisation. Sometimes for several months. To help pass the time and keep patients up to date on the latest releases, Arrow recently provided 30 new release movies on DVD for patients at St Vincent's Hospital.

Cutting edge medical equipment

When peripheral blood stem cells (needed for transplant) are collected on the Cobe Spectra machine, they need to be separated from the collection kit in a sterile fashion. A 'heatsealer' achieves this and ensures the stem cells are viable for transplant. With the generous support of Michelle Hilton-Vernon and John Vernon, Arrow has purchased the first of the latest model to be released in Australia and has donated it to the Bone Marrow Transplant Laboratory at St Vincent's Hospital where 71 peripheral blood stem cell collections were performed last year. The new model is smaller and more lightweight than previous models.

 

All smiles at the HCC Marathon

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is Arrow's major supporter each year. More than $1.9 million in sponsorship money has been raised by paddlers of this 111 km marathon which has contributed significantly to research into diseases treatable with bone marrow and adult stem cell transplantation. Read more ..

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