In 2017, Yani Zhao was on an unbelievable excessive after competing within the nationwide powerlifting championships. The following day, she was identified with blood most cancers.
The information got here as an enormous shock to Yani, a two-time powerlifting world champion and nationwide bodybuilding champion.
“I wasn’t feeling that good on the day,” remembers Yani.
“I used to be feeling drained, and I had some extraordinarily swollen lymph nodes, which I went to the physician for the next day to attempt to get some painkillers.”
“Nonetheless, the medical doctors came upon that it was acute myeloid leukaemia, after some investigation.”
On top of facing a blood cancer diagnosis, Yani faced additional challenges as a member of our culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community.
“Being of Chinese descent, it was a bit more challenging to receive my diagnosis. It was also hard to tell my family as I had to translate the information into Mandarin.
Australia’s CaLD communities struggle to get help early enough and find the right care and resources because of language and cultural barriers. Fewer culturally appropriate health services are available for CaLD communities, even less so in places with limited healthcare facilities.
Because everyone with blood cancer in Australia deserves a fair go, the Leukaemia Foundation has developed a new suite of supportive resources for CaLD people. We’re also planning to translate some of our most popular blood cancer information booklets into six of Australia’s most spoken languages.
Now in remission, Yani is sharing her voice as a CaLD woman through the Leukaemia Foundation’s Blood Cancer Consumer Engagement Group.
The group gains important insights from our blood cancer community, including patients, caregivers and family members, to drive better outcomes.
“Being a part of the Group has taught me that my voice matters. It matters for the future development of blood cancer awareness.”
“I’ve been able to share my experience as a CaLD blood cancer patient which helps people understand there’s someone just like them going through the same thing.”
“I recommend joining the Group because, just like in sports, a team is always stronger than one.
Learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation’s Blood Cancer Consumer Engagement Group and how you can become involved.