We are proud to announce that this year, we have expanded our Master’s Scholarship Program to award two scholarships, so that two outstanding nurses can continue their specialisation in bone marrow and stem cell transplant patient care.

Each time we offer this award, we receive an impressive array of applicants, and this year is no exception.

The successful applicants are Susan D’Arcy from the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and Desiree Blicharz from St George Hospital in Kogarah. Both have been awarded scholarships to support them with their study in the Master of Haematology and Cancer Nursing through the University of Sydney.

Susan D’Arcy

Susan has 17 years experience in haematology nursing, including work in a Haematology Oncology day unit and 3 years as a Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Nurse Coordinator. She cares for patients both pre- and post-transplant, and is skilled in performing technically demanding procedures, such as stem cell collections.

Her first interest in cancer nursing began when she witnessed a stem collection in the cancer day unit at the Alfred. “I was fascinated by the apheresis machine and the idea that the stem cells would be the life-saving basis of a bone marrow transplant. Before I knew it, I was working in the cancer day unit and running the apheresis machine which collected these stem cells,” Susan recalls.

Susan is currently the Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator at the Alfred Hospital, where she is responsible for organising transplant workups and coordinating interactions with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams, including those from referring hospitals.

“My current role has often led to me seeking support for our patients from Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation. I have witnessed so many times the wonderful, invaluable outcomes which Arrow provides. I am therefore excited with the concept of working with Arrow to assist my own professional career in bone marrow transplant nursing.”

Desiree Blicharz

Desiree became a Registered Nurse in 2010, graduating from the University of Chester in the UK. After moving to Sydney in 2013, she began her career in cancer nursing, initially working in radiation oncology. She later gained experience in the Haematology Ward at St George Hospital, where she spent four years, before transitioning to the Oncology Haematology Day Centre. In this role, Desiree was responsible for administering chemotherapy to outpatients and managing radiation oncology day treatments.

During this time, Desiree completed a postgraduate degree in cancer nursing at the University of Tasmania and became a mother of two beautiful children.

In her current role as a Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Cancer Outreach Program, Desiree works with autologous stem cell transplant patients, both in the hospital and as outpatients after their discharge.

Desiree’s goal in studying for her Master’s is to maximise her confidence in providing holistic care to her patients and their families, while enhancing her clinical knowledge in haematological malignancies. She believes the degree will enhance her skill set and provide her with lifelong skills and knowledge upon which she can continuously build her career. Desiree is passionate about working in her dream field of nursing and aspires to have a long and fulfilling career in haematology.

Desiree says “It gives me great pleasure to undertake my Masters of Haematology at the University of Sydney to further enhance my knowledge. I have a great appreciation for the opportunity provided by Arrow whom I sincerely thank.”

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As the 2025 study year begins, we wish Desiree and Susan the best of luck with their studies and look forward to sharing updates on their progress.