The month of September is designated as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time to wear orange to help bring attention and action to those living with AML. This year, 20,240 people are estimated to be diagnosed with AML in the United States, and around 66,988 are currently living with AML or are in remission. September is a time where we can bring focus and spread awareness to our cancer battle.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Facts

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that occurs in your blood and bone marrow. It is a rapidly progressing type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets. It makes up 1% of all cancer diagnoses, so it is considered a rare disease. Although rare, it is the most common form of leukemia in adults. The risk of AML developing increases with age.

Some Of The Signs And Symptoms of AML:

• Frequent infections that do not respond to antibiotics
• Anemia
• Bleeding that is difficult to stop
• Nosebleeds
• Easy bruising
• Severe bone pain
• Fevers and night sweats
• Loss of appetite

Chemotherapy and stem cell transplant are considered the main forms of treatment. Targeted therapy drugs and stimulating white blood cell growth are also options for treatment.

Ways You Can Increase AML Awareness

Spread (and Participate in) HealthTree for AML Resources

HealthTree for AML is a great resource to support and educate AML patients and communities with tools to advance a cure. Multiple articles and resources are provided for free to help AML patients and caregivers on their cancer journey. Easy access to these resources can be found on the homepage. Take time to look through and read each section. Here are some of the resources you can explore:

• AML 101: What is AML?, Signs and Symptoms, Treatments
• News articles: Life with AML, Clinical Trials, AML news
• Find an AML Specialist
• Find an AML Clinical Trial
• HealthTree University

HealthTree for AML is specifically designed to provide you the best knowledge and information on AML. The homepage is updated several times per week to keep you current on AML news and resources.

Share these articles and resources with anyone and everyone who you feel may benefit. The more knowledgeable we are about our disease, the more empowered we become to make life-changing decisions about our care.

Encourage Others to Become Stem Cell Donors

Stem cell donors save lives. The more people in the registry, the more chances people with AML will have of finding a match for their transplant. Share the resources from Be the Match with all of your family and friends to help encourage them to become donors.

Talk about Your AML Journey

The more we come together and raise our voices, the more we can help advance a cure. Share your story on our homepage to inspire and encourage others. If you're interested in sharing your story, send an email to katie@healthtree.org.

Join our Facebook groups to become an integral member of an AML community that is joining together to create change. As a foundation, we want to connect people to help accelerate a cure and in order to do that, we need your help and participation! Click below to join the group that is most fitting for you:

Adult AML

AML Caregivers

Childhood AML

September is a great month to spread awareness and show our support. Let’s give hope and knowledge to those around us!