what's in a name?

The Snowdome Foundation is dedicated to all who’ve suffered blood cancers, those who’ve survived, those living with and those who have lost the cruellest of battles.

Chloe Rutherford was one of those who didn’t make it. Diagnosed with leukaemia in 2007, Chloe seemingly beat the disease only to relapse and die of complications arising from pneumonia in 2009.

The Foundation’s unusual name emerged from a case of mistaken identity rather than a flash of inspiration, but it’s entirely fitting.

On one of the first of her over 250 visits to the Royal Children’s Hospital, Chloe thought she saw a gift shop, with snowdomes from all over the world adorning its glass walls.

In fact, it was the nurses’ station where she was having surgery, but to Chloe it was beautiful and magical, and like all things beautiful, she just had to have a snowdome of her own. Of course, she got what she wished. And as she bravely battled her cancer, more and more snowdomes appeared; gifts from family, from friends both old and new and from the nurses who cared for her.

Soon, her collection grew to over 50 and every one of them has a story. Mostly bought from overseas, one was even blessed by a Chinese monk, in China, of course. One came from Paris where Chloe’s best friend was at the time. It sat alongside her and her Mother in the Church of Notre Dame as they lit a candle and said a prayer.

Her classmates at Grimwade Melbourne Grammar entered a State Art Competition and decided they would dedicate it to Chloe. Their theme was ‘snowdomes’ and the effect was spectacular. They even came second in the competition.

So, the Snowdome Foundations name was born. Snowdomes are symbol of hope and wonder as much as Chloe is a beacon of love, strength for all those who continue to battle the most random of cancers.

what is blood cancer?

Blood cancers are common genetic diseases, but not in the sense that they’re conditions you inherit from your parents. Rather, they are caused by the genes; genes that suddenly decide to switch off or send confused messages to the cells that they control.

Blood cancers – leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma – combined, are the third highest cause of death from cancer in Australia*. Many adult and some childhood blood cancers are still unable to be successfully treated and regrettably, Australia is leading the world in the growth of new diagnoses.

Unfortunately, blood cancers don’t discriminate. Men, women and children are all affected equally. And unlike other cancers, routine screening and public health awareness campaigns won’t reduce anyone’s risk of developing a blood cancer.

With blood cancer diagnosis only going up, there is an even more urgent need to seek a greater understanding of blood cancers and find new treatments and cures.

*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019. Cancer in Australia 2019. Cancer series no.119.)
Cat. no. CAN 123. Canberra: AIHW.

what we do.

Snowdome collaborates with world-leading Australian and International blood cancer researchers to accelerate new therapies and bring next-generation treatments to Australian blood cancer patients faster. We are the only not-for-profit organisation exclusively focused on raising funds to support translational research into blood cancers: myeloma, lymphoma and leukaemia, research that takes basic scientific findings to create new treatments.

our mission

Snowdome’s mission is to accelerate next-generation treatments for Australian blood cancer patients to help them live longer, better lives. Put simply, we’re making the hope that patients can beat their blood cancer a reality.

our vision

Our vision is to give every Australian blood cancer patient the best opportunity for a cure.

our values

Passion beyond belief
Persistent in pursuit of cures
Excellence in everything we do
Partnership for the greater good

our achievements.

Since Snowdome was formed in 2010, we’re proud to share that our generous donors have helped more than 405 Australian blood cancer patients gain access to new, cutting-edge therapies.

Over the years, we have supported a variety of ground-breaking research to help researchers uncover new targets, treatments and diagnostics. Most importantly it has helped Australian blood cancer patients access next-generation treatments to help them live longer, better lives.

415 Australian blood cancer patients have gained access to clinical trials
$ 37 m+
Over $37 million has been raised to advance key research
21 Clinical trials have commenced resulting in 195 publications
3081 +
Genomic tests have been completed at the Christine and Bruce Wilson Centre for Lymphoma Genomics, to improve diagnosis and prognosis as well as identification of personalised treatments
828 Australian blood cancer patients are participating in biomarker studies

our people.

directors

Many skills. Many walks of life. One thing in common. Every Snowdome board member present and past has a direct or indirect link to blood cancer. They know all too well the journey of a blood cancer patient and how they can make a difference.
  • John Salvaris
    John Salvaris
    Chairman Snowdome Foundation,
    Partner KPMG
  • Dr Richard Boyd
    Dr Richard Boyd
    Chief Scientific Officer,
    Cartherics Pty. Ltd
  • Helen Buckingham OAM
    Helen Buckingham OAM
    Retired MP,
    Blood cancer patient advocate
  • Helen Gandel
    Helen Gandel
    Philanthropist
  • Amanda Jones
    Amanda Jones
    IP Professional
  • Dr Andrew Pascoe
    Dr Andrew Pascoe
    Executive Chairman,
    Asia Pacific eHealth Group
  • Professor H Miles Prince AM
    Professor H Miles Prince AM
    Blood cancer specialist and researcher,
    Co-founder, Snowdome Foundation
  • Michael Robertson
    Michael Robertson
    Senior Lawyer, Corporate Advisory ,
    ANZ
  • Grant Rutherford
    Grant Rutherford
    Creative & Brand Consultant,
    Co-Founder, Snowdome Foundation, Co-Founder East of Everything
  • Rob Tandy
    Rob Tandy
    Co-founder, Snowdome Foundation
  • Ian Thompson
    Ian Thompson
    Risk Professional

our people.

executive

our partners.

Snowdome wouldn’t
exist without the
unwavering in-kind
or financial support
of some of Australia’s
leading
organisations