September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, when supporters and advocates of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) focus on raising awareness about our efforts to combat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease both locally and nationally.
In This Article...
What hue represents blood cancer on a ribbon?
Do you know which cancer is represented by which ribbon? The most well-known malignancies, the colors associated with them, and some information about their awareness campaigns are included below:
There is “Game Pink,” a program to raise money and awareness through playing video games, in addition to the marathons and walks that are most commonly connected with breast cancer fundraising.
Over $1 billion has been raised by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 1949 to support the quest for treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. September is designated as awareness month for the larger umbrella of blood cancer, which also employs a red ribbon.
Since 1996, Major League Baseball and the Prostate Cancer Foundation have sponsored the Home Run Challenge, which collects donations for each home run hit during MLB games from June 1 through Father’s Day. Over $1.4 million was raised throughout the challenge in 2019.
The No. 1 cancer killer of American women, lung cancer, is the focus of the American Lung Association’s “Lung Force,” which calls on women to unite in the fight. They accomplish this by holding activities like bike competitions, stair climbing competitions, expos, and clinics.
Every year, the National Kidney Foundation organizes walks to raise money. A group called KidneyCAN also organizes golf outings and concerts across the nation to raise money for kidney cancer research.
The Seattle Brain Cancer Walk, a 1-mile walk and festival, has been held in the city of Seattle every May since 2008. Supporters of brain cancer awareness and research are urged to don gray all month long.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is observed annually on November 19 by the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. In order to spread awareness, supporters are urged to wear purple and post pictures on social media.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance encourages individuals to wear blue throughout March to raise awareness of the condition. The alliance holds its “Walk to End Colorectal Cancer” at various sites across America throughout the year.
What does the term “blood cancer” mean?
(blud KAN-ser) Cancer that starts in immune system cells or blood-forming tissue, like the bone marrow. Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are a few types of blood cancer. likewise known as hematologic cancer.
What are the names of blood cancers?
Your blood cells’ ability to produce and perform are impacted by blood malignancies. Your bone marrow, where blood is made, is where the majority of these malignancies begin. Red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets can be produced from stem cells in your bone marrow as they mature and develop. The uncontrolled growth of an aberrant form of blood cell disrupts the process of normal blood cell development in the majority of blood cancers. These malignant or abnormal blood cells prohibit your blood from carrying out many of its activities, such as warding off infections or avoiding life-threatening bleeding.
Blood tumors primarily come in three different forms:
- The rapid generation of abnormal white blood cells leads to leukemia, a type of cancer that affects your blood and bone marrow. Because there are so many aberrant white blood cells, the bone marrow cannot make enough red blood cells or platelets to fight infection.
- The lymphatic system, which eliminates extra fluid from the body and generates immune cells, is impacted by lymphoma, a kind of blood cancer. White blood cells called lymphocytes fight infection. The lymphoma cells that develop from abnormal lymphocytes grow and accumulate in your lymph nodes and other tissues. These malignant cells weaken your immune system over time.
- A malignancy of the plasma cells called myeloma. White blood cells called plasma cells help your body create antibodies that fight infections and disease. Myeloma cells stop the body from producing antibodies normally, weakening your immune system and making you more vulnerable to infection.
How can blood cancer be made more widely known?
Wear red to show support for World Lymphoma Awareness Day and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, stop by one of our many Lighting Partners during September, and post pictures on social media with the hashtag #LightItRed!
Don’t forget to look at the merchandise available for purchase in the LRF Swag shop to help LRF and spread awareness in September!
Leukemia Ribbon: What Is It?
According to the International Myeloma Foundation, multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent kind of blood cancer. Each year, 30,280 new cases are reported. Many individuals are unaware of it because it is uncommon than some other types of cancer. March is recognized as Myeloma Awareness Month as a result. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the International Myeloma Foundation, and Myeloma Crowd all support and fundraise for this illness.
Blood cancers are they painful?
Although some people say they hurt, they are typically painless. Further inside your body, lumps or swellings that strain on organs like your lungs may cause pain, discomfort, or shortness of breath.
Why does blood cancer develop?
Mutations in the genetic materialthe DNAof blood cells are the root cause of all blood malignancies. Depending on the individual form of blood cancer, different risk factors apply. Growing older is a risk factor for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most prevalent kind of leukemia in adults.
Blood cancer: Is it curable?
Your bone marrow and blood cells are both affected by the malignancy leukemia. Leukemia currently has no known cure, just like other cancers.
Leukemia patients occasionally go into remission, which is a condition where the cancer is no longer visible in the body following diagnosis and therapy. However, because of cells that are still in your body, the cancer may come back.
The specific prognosis is based on the type of leukemia, the disease’s stage, and your age. However, new discoveries in medicine and advancements in therapies suggest that leukemia may one day be cured, making recurrence unlikely.
Researchers are particularly interested in immunotherapies and targeted treatments. Learn more about the latest developments in leukemia treatment, including approaches for the main kinds of this malignancy.
