Did you know, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, every 3 minutes there is a new diagnosis of blood cancer in the United States? During the month of September, the society works to raise awareness of these blood cancers which include: Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. Why is this important? Even though blood cancers are the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., the impact is still very much unknown.
Through research and investment or more than $1.2 billion dollars, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is successfully improving results with innovative developments in immunotherapy treatment, genome studies, and adapting the patient’s medical treatment to fit their needs.
As stated by LLS, the most common blood cancers include:
Leukemia: The blood and bone marrow are affected by this type.
Lymphoma: The lymphatic system is where this blood cancer arises; there are two main types, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin (NHL).
Myeloma: A blood cancer which starts in the bone marrow and is a plasma cell cancer, a type of white blood cell.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): Classified as a group of diseases where the blood and bone marrow are affected.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms: Essential Thrombocythemia, Myelofibrosis, and Polycythemia Vera are included in these types of blood cancers which initiate in an abnormal change in stem cells in the bone marrow.
In 2018, during blood cancer awareness month, we shared information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP), an initiative created to speed the development of ground-breaking blood cancer treatments. Since then, many exciting updates have happened. For the latest news, please visit the LLS website to read what TAP Partners are accomplishing.
Unfortunately, even with advances, the five-year survival of more than one third of the patients is not surpassed. Because of this, LLS is working to fight against blood cancers and there are many ways you can help. Whether it’s fundraising in your local community or taking action and becoming an advocate, please click here to become part of the growing effort to fight blood cancers.