Today is World CML (chronic myeloid leukaemia) Day.

CML is a rare form of blood cancer that just over 300 Australians are diagnosed with each year.

In 2019, Michael Bowen was one of them...

 

He was on his way to work one day when he got an urgent call to come into the emergency department.

Minutes later his life changed in an instant when he was suddenly hit with the diagnosis.

The man of the house, supporting a young family, Michael's first thoughts were of his baby daughter, confronted with the question of if he was going to live to be there for her.

 

No one could be prepared for the hardship in the years that followed.

The immense mental and physical difficulty of living with cancer and the self applied pressure to get back to being the man he thought he was, sent Michael spiraling into a deep depression.

But step by step and with great support from friends and family Michael slowly dragged himself out of the pit of despair that'd all but swallowed him.

 

Now Michael's in remission and sharing his story as an ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation.

 

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month so if someone you love is diagnosed with blood cancer, please reach out to the Leukaemia Foundation on 1800 620 420 or visit leukaemia.org.au for help.

 

You can also join the tens of thousands of Australians impacted by blood cancer by participating in this year’s Leukaemia Foundation Light the Night event on Saturday 16 October.

Visit lightthenight.org.au for more info.