We are writing to share an important update about the future of COUCH Cancer Hub NQ — one that reflects both our commitment to our community and our vision to continue supporting people impacted by cancer for generations to come.
Today, 21 August, COUCH will announce it will be merging with the Leukaemia Foundation. This is a considered and proactive step, following careful exploration and discussion by the COUCH Board over an extended period.
This merger strengthens the long-term sustainability of COUCH while ensuring continuity of care for the community we serve. It will enable us to build on our trusted local model, retain our strong community identity, and grow our capacity to support people impacted by cancer across Far North Queensland.
What this means for COUCH and our local community.
At its core, this is about building on what already exists — not changing it.
- COUCH Cancer Hub NQ will continue operating under its existing name, branding and model of care
- Our strong local identity and community-led approach will remain central operations
- Funds raised locally will continue to stay in the region, directly supporting people in North Queensland
- Our day-to-day services will continue without interruption, with no changes to the services delivered at the Hub, and opportunities to grow and expand over time
- Just as importantly, the ongoing support of our community — including fundraising — remains as critical as it has always been.
What this means to different people?
- For clients there will be no change – it will be business as usual
- Similarly, there will be no change in how we work closely with health professionals, to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
- Support from donors will remain as important as ever. Funds raised through COUCH will continue to stay in the region, directly supporting local people and families.
- The Hub’s volunteers will continue to be valued team members, surrounded by a strengthened organisation which can better support their contribution
- For contractors and tenants there will be no change to service contract conditions or leave agreements only that they will be updated to reflect Leukaemia Foundation as the contracting entity.
Why this merger makes sense.
Leukaemia Foundation brings scale, expertise, funding access, and organisational capability, strengthening our ability to meet the growing demand to support people impacted by cancer.
As a national organisation, Leukaemia Foundation already provides specialised support to people living with cancer across Australia, including access to accommodation services for patients and their families who need to travel for treatment. This experience and infrastructure will complement and strengthen the local, place-based support COUCH provides.
Importantly, this merger will allow clear focus on what each organisation does best:
- COUCH will continue to lead the delivery of local, client-facing support services across all cancers.
- Leukaemia Foundation brings significant clinical expertise, national reach, and operational capability that will complement COUCH’s deep understanding of local community needs.
- By joining forces, we will be better positioned to respond to the growing and changing needs of people impacted by cancer across the Cairns region, delivering more coordinated, accessible and high-quality support.
A natural alignment and shared vision
This opportunity has strong foundations.
The Hub was originally inspired by the Bloomhill Cancer Care model on the Sunshine Coast, which demonstrated the positive impact of providing evidence-based, complementary care in a welcoming, non-clinical environment. That model helped shape how the COUCH Cancer Hub was established and continues to operate today.
When Leukaemia Foundation partnered with Bloomhill in 2024, it signalled a broader vision—to grow this model of care into other regional and remote communities across Australia. COUCH is a natural fit for this vision. With a strong and trusted local brand, and a proven model of care, our organisation represents the next step in expanding this holistic approach to care nationally.
What this means for the future.
COUCH has been part of the Cairns and North Queensland community for 20 years, beginning as a grassroots advocacy group working to improve access to cancer treatment and care in our region. That advocacy played an important role in shaping the services available locally today.
This work resulted in the establishment of the COUCH Cancer Hub which over the past seven years, has supported thousands of local clients and families with evidence-based, wraparound care in a supportive, non-clinical environment.
This next chapter is about building on that legacy — enabling the original vision of advocacy and equitable access to care, to continue to evolve and ensure people in Far North Queensland can access the support they need close to home, both now, and into the future.
We understand change may be unsettling for some, so if you would like to discuss any aspect of this announcement or have any questions, please reach out to either of us — we welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Together, we look forward to building on COUCH’s 20-year legacy, ensuring people impacted by cancer across Far North Queensland continue to have access to the support, care and connection they need, close to home, both now and into the future.
Professor Scott Davis
Chair
Cairns COUCH Ltd
Chris Tanti
CEO
Leukaemia Foundation