Resources

For the FA journey

This set of tools will evolve over time. We would like to have a conversation about what you find useful from here, and we very much want to hear any ideas you have for further resources we might be able to provide to the wider FA community.

We are just beginning to reach out to the medical establishment in Australia and New Zealand. As we build our understanding of our complex health system we hope to reflect that insight on these pages.

Appointments Excel Spreadsheet

People with FA see multiple medical specialists and other health and wellbeing professionals. This spreadsheet will help you to keep track of upcoming visits and the preparation for those visits.

A few tips:

  • Make the spreadsheet specific to you. Delete or add columns for different health professionals who are relevant to you.
  • Keep the spreadsheet up to date. After each visit, enter the details for the next visit.
  • Check the spreadsheet in the preceding month (or whenever it’s the best time for you) so you don’t miss appointments.
    Put the dates in your phone calendar as well and put a reminder at 1 week in advance of the visit date. You may need to ensure test results or referral letters are available for the visit.
  • To minimise scrolling over several years’ worth of data, hide the rows for the previous year/s
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COVID-19 vaccine & Fanconi Anaemia

According to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (FARF), the best and safest way to protect yourself from the virus is by getting vaccinated. Individuals, with or without FA, should get the vaccine as soon as it is available to them, unless there is a strong reason not to, as reviewed with their own provider. This may include:

  • If a patient has allergies to a vaccine component
  • If a patient is currently undergoing transplant or had a transplant and has not started to be revaccinated

We strongly advise you and your family members to speak with your primary health care providers about whether and when to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Just like everything else with Fanconi anaemia, the risks and benefits for any medical decision should be weighed on a case-by-case basis and discussed with the patient’s treating physician.

The above advice was supplied by Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (FARF).  The full article is available here.

Appointments Memory Jogger

We see a lot of doctors, often under stressful conditions. You may have things to tell the doctor and questions to ask. The doctor may have a lot to tell you. And then there’s the next appointment to lock in.

 

Make copies of this form and use one to take notes before and after each appointment. Start a folder for each specialty, or scan it into your files. If possible it’s best to have two people at appointments, with one taking notes.

Click here

Early detection of mouth cancer

Participate in the research project

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Help with travel

The health system in all Australian states and territories and in New Zealand provides financial assistance for travel if you are forced to journey long distances to access the medical care you or your family members require.

He precise rules vary from state to state. Please use the following links to find the scheme which applies to you.

Australia:   Patient travel assistance schemes-IPTAAS – Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme

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New Zealand:  National Travel Assistance

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FASA Statement
on COVID-19

Because of the concern for transmission of illness caused by a novel coronavirus, Fanconi Anaemia Support Australasia is preparing for the possibility that this virus may impact our two significant gatherings: the SNUG camp meeting (Lake Macquarie, August), and the FAmily meeting (Melbourne, October). While it is too early to predict how these events may be affected, we want you to be aware that we are mindful of the risks associated with gathering at this time. We will also be carefully monitoring the appropriate health authority recommendations for protecting against exposure provided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) recommends that you speak with your doctor to see how they may be able to advise you if you should become exposed to the virus. Finally, should you or a loved one need to travel, review the Australian Government’s Department of Health guidelines to ensure you aren’t putting yourself or others at risk.
We will continue to monitor and follow guidance from the AMA, the Australian Government, and other agencies and communicate with the FA community directly as the situation develops.