How To Take Part In Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer awareness month runs every September and is designed to improve the lives of those with the condition.
Blood cancers are a little different from other forms of cancer that people experience. Most tumours begin localised in specific parts of the body, but that’s not the case with blood cancers. Once cancerous cells start multiplying in the bloodstream, they flow all over the body, potentially interacting with other sites.
The most common form of blood cancer is leukaemia – something that disproportionately affects children. But there are many others – some severe and other benign.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month was introduced in the US in 2010 by House Resolution 1433. Since then, it has spread all over the world to places like the UK, Ireland and Australia.
The month focuses on many of the most common blood cancers, including lymphoma, multiple myeloma and myeloproliferative neoplasms. It provides information to people across the world about these diseases – many of which aren’t well understood by the public.
Do you want to take part in Blood Cancer Awareness Month? Great! Here’s what to do:
Donate To Your Local Blood Bank
Treatments for blood cancers are getting better and better. New stem cell treatments could potentially “cure” the disease, preventing cancer cells from gaining a foothold.
For that reason, medics are desperate for people to donate their blood and other essential tissues to help those in need. Every year, more than 2,000 people with blood cancers need lifesaving blood transfusions from donors. These give everyone who has the disease a fighting chance of survival, providing them with vital hope – so important when seriously ill.
Sign Onto The Blood Stem Cell Register
When it comes to stem cell therapy, DNA type matters. Surgeons need to find individuals with similar genetics to the receiver of donated material so that it matches as closely as possible. However, only around one in fifty people is even on the register, making it difficult to source people to provide the necessary cells.
You can, therefore, take part in Blood Cancer Awareness Month by signing up for the blood stem cell register. Joining the ranks of other people will make it easier for doctors to find matches and get the stem cells that they need to help patients.
Send Flowers To Children With Leukemia
It’s difficult to avoid thinking negatively when you have cancer. It takes over your entire life.
Blood cancers are especially tragic because they disproportionately affect children. But there are ways to support kids in need.
You can now send birth flower September (Waxflower) via couriers to local hospitals – perfect for the time of year. And these flowers can remind people of the wonder of life (and spring if you live in the southern hemisphere), helping to alleviate the doom and gloom. It’s suitable for both patients themselves and their families.
Start A Facebook Campaign
Okay, so suppose that you’ve done all of the above. What else can you do to show your support to people during Blood cancer Awareness Month?
Launching a Facebook campaign is one big idea. Start by telling all your friends how you’re getting involved. And then give them opportunities to take part in giving in whatever capacity they can.
You could collect money if you wanted, but there are other ways to get involved too. Things like encouraging them to donate blood, for instance, can help the entire system and makes a big difference on the ground.
Join In With The Research For A Cure
Scientists are always looking for people to join in with the research to help look for a cure. Stem cell therapy wouldn’t have gotten as far as it has if it wasn’t for people taking time out of their schedules to take part in scientific experiments.
Researchers often need “control” groups for their experiments. Being a control is one of the easiest things in the world. You simply take a placebo and then report to the organisers when they do follow-ups, letting them know how you got along.
You can also take part in research via other methods. For instance, you can allow researchers to use your computer’s processing power to conduct digital investigations.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner, so it’s time to start getting ready for it. Your actions could make a massive difference to the life of somebody living with the disease. Even small things, like raising awareness on Facebook, can make a big difference in the lives of people in hospital wards and their families.
