AML World Awareness Day 2023

Today is a good day, and not only because it’s Friday. Today, April 21, 2023 is AML World Awareness Day!

In preparation for today, we asked our AML community members what they are doing to raise awareness for AML, and their responses were inspiring. So, in honor of AML World Awareness Day, we want to highlight what our amazing HealthTree for AML community members are doing to help spread AML awareness:

• Educate- One common theme we saw in responses was simply sharing with family and friends what AML is, and how it affects their lives. While there is a general understanding that cancer is difficult, most people don’t know in what ways cancer actually disrupts and can turn life upside down for both patients and their families. By sharing their unique experiences and how AML has affected their lives, these AML community members are helping those around them get a better understanding of what they are experiencing and what AML is. One community member shared that they like to wear the orange Leukemia Awareness ribbon, which is a great way to encourage people you interact with to ask you what it stands for, giving you a chance to talk about AML. 
• Encourage- Another way our AML community is making a difference is through encouraging their communities to participate in blood drives and register to be bone marrow donors. Blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants are necessary and life saving for many AML patients. By rallying their communities together and hosting blood drives or facilitating donor registration, our community members are saving lives and helping others learn the true importance of taking time to donate blood and join a bone marrow donor registry. 
• Empower- We have a strong community of AML Caregivers who are becoming AML experts and learning all they can to best care for their loved ones. Responses we received from AML caregivers shed light on all of the studying, researching, and advocating caregivers are taking on so they can best support their loved one with AML. Becoming empowered caregivers, and sharing what they’ve learned, is an invaluable resource to both their patients and their surrounding communities.
• Engage- Some of our AML community members are raising awareness by speaking out. From writing letters to legislators, to sharing their stories on podcasts, members of our HealthTree for AML community are using their voices to raise awareness and make a difference. By being engaged in the conversations held about AML, at both the community and national level, real experiences and opinions of those actually affected by AML are being included in decision making. 

All of us here at the HealthTree Foundation for AML want to say thank you to those who shared their experiences with us. We value each and every member of our community and are grateful everytime we get to see a glimpse into the amazing things our AML community is doing. YOU are a big part of what makes this community a great place to find support and resources.

We hope everyone takes time today to reflect on how they can be an advocate for the AML community and increase awareness in those around them. The examples of those above can be a great starting place for anyone who wants to do something, but isn’t quite sure where to start. Every effort, no matter how big or small, truly does make a difference. We can't wait to see all of the unique and creative ways our AML community chooses to make an impact for good this AML World Awareness Day!