Events around world mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Advocates aim to raise funds, awareness during September
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September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and advocates around the world are joining together to shine a light on blood cancer and fundraise to fuel research.
During the month, “we recognize more than 1.8M people in the U.S. living with or in remission from one of the more than 100 types of blood cancer,” E. Anders Kolb, MD, president and CEO of Blood Cancer United, told Rare Cancer News.
Blood cancers are a group of diseases marked by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells. The dozens of types of blood cancer are generally divided into three main groups: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Treatment for many blood cancers has improved substantially over the last decade with the introduction of new blood cancer drugs, but these cancers still claim thousands of lives every year. Blood Cancer Awareness Month is an international effort to educate the public about blood cancers and push for more research into life-saving care.
“As we look to the future, Blood Cancer United remains focused on our bold goal: enabling people with blood cancer to gain more than one million years of life by 2040–giving people more time to make memories, celebrate more birthdays, and spend time with the people they love,” Kolb said. “Together we’re creating more hope for patients and families everywhere.”
Lighting the Night
Blood Cancer United will host its signature community event, Light The Night, in which participants carry lanterns on a guided walk to symbolize hope and remembrance. Light the Night events will take place in dozens of cities across the U.S. throughout September and into the rest of autumn.
“Every lantern carried at Light The Night represents hope, strength, and a shared commitment to changing what’s possible for blood cancer patients,” Coker Powell, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Blood Cancer United, said in a press release from the organization. “Together, participants, volunteers, donors, and sponsors are helping accelerate research, expand support services, and create a brighter future for families impacted by blood cancer.”
Across the Atlantic, Blood Cancer UK will host events and fundraisers ranging from runs and triathlons to brunch and coffee dates.
Many awareness month activities are taking place online. The Leukemia Research Foundation will host a Sept. 14 webinar to equip blood cancer patients with tools and resources to build an effective care team and become active participants in treatment decisions.
The International Myeloma Foundation is marking this year’s awareness month by bringing back its #KnowMyeloma campaign, which promotes education about myeloma on social media. The foundation has a range of resources, including infographics and templates, on its website.
“Awareness is the first step toward better outcomes,” Peter Anton, vice president of marketing for the organization, said in a foundation press release. “Through our #KnowMyeloma campaign, the International Myeloma Foundation is helping people recognize the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma while empowering patients to advocate for earlier diagnosis, more personalized treatment, and equitable access to the care they deserve.”
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