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Melina Bath supports tackling Leukaemia Inc to boost stem cell donors and save lives locally

Melina Bath supports Tackling Leukaemia Inc, urging locals, especially 18 - 35-year-olds, to join the stem cell donor registry and help save lives through community swab events.

By news@gippsland - 22nd October 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath is supporting the Tackling Leukaemia Inc encouraging locals to join the stem cell donor registry and help in the treatment of blood cancer. The Tackling Leukaemia Inc aims to boost stem cell donor numbers across the country and raise awareness of the need for more First Nations, Māori and Pasifika donors as they often have rare blood types, making it harder to find a matching donor.

Melina Bath ( with Gippsland student Georgia Shell from Forge Creek in the photo ) spoke at St Hilda’s College, inspiring 100 students to join the stem cell register, supporting vital youth-driven donor efforts

Stem cell challenge

The organisation hosts cheek swab events with groups of young adults wanting to join the register to help save lives. The target group for the stem cell register is 18 - 35 year olds as young donors produce healthier stem cells, which leads to better patient survival outcomes.

Ms Bath said leukaemia is an insidious blood cancer that strikes without warning, affecting people regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. "Australia has one of the world’s lowest rates of stem cell donation and we are encouraging more people from all backgrounds to join the registry. I put out a challenge to our local sporting and social groups to contact the Tackling Leukaemia team and host an event to help build the registry."

"Without a suitable stem cell donor match an individual’s chances of recovering from leukaemia is significantly reduced. If you’re found to be a match, the donation process is straightforward, much like plasma donation with no surgery is involved," she said.

Volunteers join registry

Ms Bath was a recent guest speaker at Melbourne University’s St Hilda’s College, Tackling Leukaemia Inc event where she once studied as a student. "It was inspiring to see 100 young regional students enthusiastically volunteer to be swabbed and join the stem cell register, including local Georgia Shell from Forge Creek."

"We know stem cells taken from young adults replicate so much more effectively, so Tackling Leukaemia’s work partnering with grassroots sporting and social clubs is vital. Any local sporting group can host a stem cell registry recruitment event, and I encourage our local clubs to get involved," concluded Ms Bath. For more information or to arrange a Tackling Leukaemia Inc event to help build the stem cell register please visit Tackling Leukaemia website or contact Gadi Bichler on 0407 218 366.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Cycling Without Age Gippsland delights Wilson Lodge residents and 98-year-old Joyce, boosting wellbeing and community connection for older people
  Cycling Without Age Gippsland celebrated its oldest passenger, 98-year-old Joyce Grimer, and welcomed Wilson Lodge residents, providing free trishaw rides that promote wellbeing, social connection, and community engagement for older Australians.
• Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, offering 114km trails, boosting local tourism, recreation, and economy
  Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens Friday, featuring 114 km trails, community events, amenities, and safety measures, transforming the town into a year-round alpine adventure and tourism destination.
• Kickstart your career locally with Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2026 Traineeship Program send applications by 26 January 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2026 Traineeship Program offers young people and career returners real-world experience, Certificate III qualifications, flexible work, and pathways to permanent roles across seven diverse disciplines.
• Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
  Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government.
• Council urges transparent, community-focused approach for battery energy storage systems across Baw Baw
  Baw Baw Council raises concerns over proposed BESS projects, urging transparency, protection of prime agricultural land, community input, and stronger oversight of sites outside designated renewable energy zones.
• Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
  Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis.
• Noojee chosen for Healthy Forest Plans Pilot with $4M funding to boost tourism and local economy
  Baw Baw Shire welcomes Noojee’s $4 million Healthy Forest Plans Pilot funding, part of a $30 million Victorian government initiative to boost regional tourism, support economic transition, and create local jobs.
• Danny O’Brien said the state’s fuel price app is ineffective, though price transparency tools like Servo Saver can help strained household budgets
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges state and federal governments to secure regional fuel supply, warning rising costs, panic-buying, and supply restrictions threaten farmers, transport, essential services, and local households.
• Drouin’s Commercial Place Stage 1 of the $1.1M project set to begin this to boost safety, accessibility and vibrancy
  Stage 1 of the $1.1 million Drouin Commercial Place upgrade begins this week, improving safety, accessibility, footpaths, carparks, and pedestrian areas, with minimal disruption and partial parking available.
• Darren Chester backs "Fruit and Veggies Yummy Yummy" campaign promoting healthy eating and supporting Australia’s fresh produce industry
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester supports The Wiggles’ "Fruit and Veggies Yummy Yummy" campaign, promoting children’s healthy eating while helping Australian fruit and vegetable growers through fun, music, and family activities.
• Future of Orbost Project strengthens water access, supporting agricultural innovation and long-term regional growth
  The Future of Orbost Project supports farmers by clarifying water availability, facilitating licence transfers, and building resilience, driving innovation, productivity, diversification, and sustainable long-term growth in East Gippsland.
• SEC acquires Delburn Wind Farm, Gippsland’s first public wind project, creating jobs and boosting local energy and economy by 2028
  The SEC’s acquisition of Delburn Wind Farm will deliver Gippsland’s first public wind project by 2028, creating 300 construction jobs, long-term careers, and $22 million in community benefits.
• Darren Chester delivers volunteer grant to support Traralgon RSL Bowls Group and boost junior participation
  Darren Chester awarded a $1700 Volunteer Grant to Traralgon RSL Bowls Group, funding equipment to boost junior participation, support volunteers, and strengthen youth development as part of Gippsland's wider $63,000 program.
• Baw Baw Shire Council encourages community groups to apply for 2026‑2027 grants supporting projects and minor capital works
  Baw Baw Shire Council’s 2026‑2027 Community Grants Program supports not-for-profit groups with funding for projects up to $5,000 and minor capital works up to $10,000, promoting thriving, sustainable communities.
• Danny O'Brien celebrates Gippsland South schools receiving VicHealth Kitchen Garden grants to boost cooking and gardening education
  Danny O'Brien has congratulated five Gippsland South primary schools awarded VicHealth Kitchen Garden grants, supporting hands-on cooking, gardening, and healthy eating education to build students' lifelong skills, and sustainability awareness.
• Wellington Shire Council invites community feedback on the Great Southern Rail Trail Master Plan to boost tourism by 8 May 2026
  With the Alberton-Welshpool link complete, Wellington’s Great Southern Rail Trail Master Plan will guide improvements, boost tourism, support local businesses, and involve the community in shaping a sustainable, high-quality trail.
• Darren Chester welcomes new all-abilities ramp at Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club, enhancing accessibility and inclusion
  Federal Member Darren Chester welcomed the new all-abilities ramp at Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club, enhancing accessibility, inclusion, and community participation, supported by local business and the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Grant.