February will be a month to celebrate in the Demeo family. 

It’ll be a year since Jordyn, 10, last received treatment for acute promyelocytic leukaemia. 

Fewer than 100 cases of the rare blood cancer are diagnosed in Australia each year. 

For the Maiden Gully girl and her family, it all started with a nosebleed that just wouldn’t quit. 

With the assistance of the Leukaemia Foundation, they were able to stay near the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for three months while Jordyn received intensive treatment. 

She then received chemotherapy in the form of a tablet, daily, for two years.

Though Jordyn is in full remission, 1113 Victorians died from blood cancer in 2015, an increase of 12 per cent since 2006.

“More people than ever are dying of blood cancer and I for one am simply not prepared to sit idly by while the numbers keep heading north,” foundation chief executive officer Bill Petch said. 

“Despite being the third biggest cause of cancer death in this country, many of us still aren’t aware of the disease and the devastating impact it has on families in our communities.” 

More than 60,000 Australians are living with blood cancer or related disorders. One person is diagnosed every 41 minutes. 

Blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast cancer and melanoma.

Deaths due to blood cancers are double that of skin cancer, according to the Leukaemia Foundation.

Almost half of adult blood cancer patients will lose their lives, though more children are surviving. 

Blood cancer is the leading cause of death among people aged 1 – 14 years.

Mr Petch said there was an urgent need to support research into blood cancers such as lymphoma, which he said received relatively little government assistance.

The World’s Greatest Shave is one of the foundation’s most well-known fundraisers.

It takes place in March, a month after Jordyn’s milestone, and aims to raise $17 million this year. 

More than 20,000 Australians support the event by shaving, waxing or colouring the hair on their heads, chest or faces every year.

“Thanks to our supporters and fundraising events like the World’s Greatest Shave, the Leukaemia Foundation is able to invest millions into blood cancer research each year - but we need to find more,” Mr Petch said. 

He encouraged people to visit the website or call 1800 500 088 for more information about getting involved.