A mother’s mission

For four decades, Lyndey has shared her love for food via her own nine best-selling cookbooks, Nine TV series, and influence as former food director of the iconic Australian Women’s Weekly. 

Her son Blair was a talented actor when he lost his life to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2011. The pair had just completed editing Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece, which they filmed six months prior, when Blair was diagnosed. 

“Blair was a fit, healthy, successful, and wonderful 29-year-old who made a conscious choice to be happy, and to make others happy, every day of his life,” Lyndey says.

“A month or so before his diagnosis, Blair went to a GP and complained of not feeling well. Blair thought he had a cold or flu he couldn’t shake and was sometimes having difficulty breathing,” Lyndey says. 

“The GP did not do a blood test but instead assumed, as Blair was an actor, he must be having panic attacks and prescribed him anti-depressants. 

“Following the initial GP visit, Blair subsequently had his wisdom teeth out because they were impacted, and his mouth was inflamed—a symptom that was likely amplified due to his blood cancer. 

“The oral surgeon put him on antibiotics before surgery, however, it wasn’t helping with the inflammation, so I told him to go back and ask for different ones prior to surgery. The oral surgeon just said his teeth were so impacted they wouldn’t get better until they were removed.” 

Blair had the surgery and soon after, Lyndey and her partner John went overseas to sell the TV series she and Blair had co-hosted. 

“We had one last dinner together. Blair was only able to eat soft food and did not look great though he was his wonderful self,” Lyndey recalls. 

“Blair did not want to worry me while I was away, and I later learnt that following the surgery, he kept losing the blood clots in his gums. A few weeks later, in frustration, Blair took himself to a 24-hour GP to seek answers and ask for a blood test. The wonderful doctor assured him his problem was not mental but physical and ordered a rush result for the blood test, which sadly was not rushed. 

“The next day, Blair had a regular appointment to see a muscle therapist, however, he collapsed, and an ambulance was called. As this was all happening, the GP who had ordered the blood test rang to deliver the devastating news that Blair, in fact, had acute myeloid leukaemia. He was rushed to hospital.”

It was then that Lyndey received that life-changing phone call, and she and John began the very long journey home from Sicily to be by Blair’s side. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so terrified,” she says. 

“I had long teleconferences with the haematologist and, while on a five-hour layover in Rome, we agreed to intensive chemotherapy and for Blair to be intubated, meaning that when we arrived back to Australia on the Saturday morning, he was medically unconscious.  

“We arrived at the hospital at 8am that morning, with Blair on a range of medications and machines, including massive doses of adrenaline.” 

The couple was told by the head of the intensive care unit that if Blair was still alive on Monday, he would survive. However, at 1am the following morning, they were advised that his vital signs were deteriorating rapidly despite the efforts of the machines and medications. 

They made the heartbreaking decision to take Blair off life support, and he died. 

“We subsequently met with the admitting doctor, the lovely GP, and the haematologist who told us that if they’d seen him one week sooner, Blair’s outcome could have been very different,” Lyndey says.  

For Lyndey, the pain of losing her beloved son is compounded by the loss of her partner John, who died from nonsmokers lung cancer. 

The possibility that she might save one life with her message makes the emotional turmoil worthwhile, she says. 

“I want people to take active charge of their health and understand what the signs might be and always ask for a blood test. It is inexpensive and non-invasive. 

“Moreover, we desperately need more investment into blood cancer research that focuses on prevention and early detection, and an increase in the incredible support services for patients and their loved ones from the Leukaemia Foundation,” Lyndey says. 

“I don’t blame anyone for Blair’s death. However, I know that better knowledge of blood cancer, and understanding the signs and symptoms, would have likely made his diagnosis quicker. 

“That’s why I became an ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the devastating loss of a loved one to blood cancer. 

“Early diagnosis can play a key role in surviving blood cancer, so it is crucially important that you are examined and treated properly. 

“My message is that if we are to see fewer lives lost to this insidious disease, then more funding for blood cancer research, and a better understanding of its symptoms, is critical.”

Lyndey’s long and esteemed career has seen her awarded an OAM, however, it’s her role as an ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation of which she is most proud. 

“To be recognised by your own wonderful country is so humbling and moving. I am proud of the community work I have undertaken which saw this being awarded. 

“I don’t believe such honours should be because you are good at your job—that is its own reward. It is what you do for others which is of supreme importance. Advocacy for the Leukaemia Foundation is just a part of that.” 

On the work front, Lyndey is delighted to be hosting a bespoke tour for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in March this year, and is also working on a tour for 2026, retracing the steps of Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece. 

Her personal goal for 2025, she says, is to continue to prioritise daily exercise followed by coffee with friends.

The Leukaemia Foundation provides a range of support services to Australians facing blood cancer, so that they can concentrate on getting through treatment and feeling better. 

These services include accommodation while patients are undergoing treatment, assistance with transport to appointments, education and information around their specific type of cancer, as well as other practical, financial, emotional, and mental health support. 

The Leukaemia Foundation fundraises year-round to help deliver these wrap-around services, fund research, and campaign for positive change. 

Its much-loved annual fundraising campaign, the World’s Greatest Shave, is back this month (March) and will see thousands of people around the country shave, cut, or colour their hair in support of the 150,000 Australians who are living with blood cancer. 

You can sign up to shave, cut, or colour your hair, or donate directly at worldsgreatestshave.com