MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE

ANIKA WELLS MP
MINISTER FOR AGED CARE
MINISTER FOR SPORT

SUPPORTING MADDIE RIEWOLDT'S VISION

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will invest $3 million over three years to support Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision for better research, advocacy, and support for Australians with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and their families.

In Australia, someone is diagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome every three days.

Most patients are children and young adults, and half will not survive. Those who do, will often live with complex and ongoing medical issues and risks to their health, like a significantly higher risk of developing cancer.

After Maddie Riewoldt’s death in 2015 from a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome, Aplastic Anaemia, her brother, AFL great Nick Riewoldt and their family, founded the organisation Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision – the only organisation in Australia dedicated to driving research, advocacy, and support for Australians with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and their families.

This important election commitment will:

• Support the continuation and growth of the Maddie’s Vision Centre for Research Excellence in Bone Marrow Biology.
• Expand the reach of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision’s support and engagement to patients and their families through a tele-support service and peer support program.
• Implement an educational outreach service for bone marrow failure syndrome presentation and management.
  
• Support the long-term future of the Aplastic Anaemia and other Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes Registry and the Australian Marrow Failure Biobank.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mark Butler:

“A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will support the growth of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, so more Australians with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, and their families, get the support the need.

“Maddie’s spirit and legacy live on through the research, advocacy and support that Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision now provides, so patients and families don’t have to face a diagnosis alone.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“It is a tribute to the Riewoldt family that they have been able to turn a tragedy into a source of support and strength for so many Australian families, facing some of their darkest times.

“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision and support even more families, with new research, more support and better education.”

Quotes attributable to AFL great, Maddie’s brother and co-founder of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, Nick Riewoldt:

“This year marks a decade since our family lost Maddie to the Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome, Aplastic Anaemia. While the pain of losing Maddie is still with us, we remain inspired by her final wish – that no one should have to endure what she did.

“When Maddie was first diagnosed our family was overwhelmed and frightened of what lay ahead. Beyond her haematologist and other allied health support, there was no one else to help us understand what was happening.

“When Maddie passed at just 26 years old, we wanted her spirit and legacy to live on by making sure that no patient or family would have to face this diagnosis alone. We are so grateful to the Albanese Labor Government for making their funding commitment of $3 million over three years to help secure the future of Maddie’s Vision.

“This significant investment ensures we can continue standing beside every patient and family impacted by Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes whilst driving critical research in pursuit of life-saving treatments and a cure.”

Quotes attributable to CEO of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, Amy Coote:

“In Australia, up to 160 people will be diagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome every year. Most of those impacted are children and young people and tragically, 50% will not survive. Thousands more are left living with ongoing and complex health challenges, including a much higher risk of developing cancer.

“There is an urgent need to accelerate next generation prevention, diagnosis and treatment options to improve patient outcomes and create hope for families impacted by these devastating conditions.

“Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision is the only organisation in Australia dedicated to advancing research into Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes while providing essential support services to patients and their families.

“The Albanese Labor Government’s funding commitment represents a critical investment in the future of Maddie’s Vision, enabling new research grants, support of vital infrastructure to accelerate research breakthroughs, and ensuring the continuation of our National Support Services.

“This generous commitment from the Albanese Labor Government is a vital step forward in creating a brighter future for patients and families affected by Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.”

WEDNESDAY, 30 APRIL 2025