The Leukaemia Foundation is set to face 2021 with renewed energy, experience and passion at the helm, with new Chief Executive Officer Chris Tanti leading the fight against Blood cancer on February.

An accomplished CEO in Australia and America, Mr Tanti has held national and international senior executive positions, including CEO of Australia’s National Disability Services and leading mental health organisation, Headspace.

Tanti holds qualifications from La Trobe and Melbourne Universities, in addition to Harvard Business School, and has dedicated his career to health services advocacy and organisational innovation.

Leukaemia Foundation Chairman Dr Carrie Hillyard AM said the organisation was thrilled to have a professional of Mr Tanti’s calibre steering the Leukaemia Foundation into its 46th year and beyond.

“Chris’ career is characterised by the creation of game-changing health services, in addition to extensive experience in strategy, service delivery and operational management. Most importantly, Chris has a genuine resolve to change healthcare for the better and he is dedicated to improving lives and delivering lasting impact for the communities he works to serve,” Hillyard said.

“This combination means Chris brings the perfect skillset to head Australia’s leading blood cancer charity and the experience to drive progress to help Australians conquer their blood cancer. As a new decade begins, we look forward to Chris being an enthusiastic leader of both the Leukaemia Foundation and the broader blood cancer community,” she said.

Mr Tanti said he was proud to take up position as a strong voice for all Australians living with blood cancer, no matter where they live or what their diagnosis.

“You only have to mention leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma and you’ll soon come across someone who’s faced blood cancer themselves, or who knows and loves someone who’s been diagnosed. The sheer number of Australians impacted by this complex set of diseases is staggering, and sadly that number is continuing to rise at an extraordinary rate,” he said.

Tanti shared that he plans to work on achieving the foundation’s highly ambitious goal, which is decrease the number of lives lost to blood cancer to zero by 2035.

“Our goals are bold and ambitious, but they must be. We can’t stand idly by while blood cancer continues to take so many lives. It is time to turn the tables on blood cancer, and I am proud today to begin leading the organisation championing that change at a national level.”