September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month: Special Events & Resources

This September, along with survivors, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals, HealthTree is commemorating Blood Cancer Awareness Month! In this article, you’ll learn why this month receives special attention in the HealthTree community and what we will feature throughout September so you don’t miss a thing.  

What is blood cancer awareness month? 

Every September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month brings attention to leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and related blood cancers. The purpose of this campaign is to help people recognize symptoms, understand risk factors, learn about treatment options, and see the importance of early detection.

Raising awareness is an important part of blood cancer advocacy, especially because blood cancer is often an “invisible” disease. Sharing information during Blood Cancer Awareness Month can help with:

• Encouraging early diagnosis, which can improve treatment outcomes.
• Dispelling myths and misconceptions about blood cancers.
• Giving patients and their loved ones access to resources that can support informed treatment decisions and emotional well-being.

What makes blood cancers different?

Blood cancers, unlike some solid tumors, are not identified by sight or touch. They affect the blood and bone marrow, which carry oxygen and nutrients, regulate temperature, and protect the body against infections. All of these crucial functions happen inside the body. Blood cancer can be considered an “invisible” disease because it can be identified and classified only with lab tests.

There are different types of blood cancers, and they can be classified into five categories:

1. Leukemia is characterized by abnormal white blood cells or blasts. This disrupts the immune system. It can be acute, which means it progresses rapidly, or chronic, which means it develops slowly. Examples of leukemia include acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 
2. Lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, which is a part of the immune system. It primarily involves the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues. There are two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 
3. Myeloma forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It mainly affects bone marrow and bone health, causing symptoms like bone pain, fractures, and anemia.
4. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diverse bone marrow disorders in which the blood stem cells (immature cells) do not become healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. These immature blood cells, called blasts, do not work the way they should and either die in the bone marrow or soon after they go into the blood. This leaves less room for healthy blood cells to develop in the bone marrow. This leaves the body vulnerable to infections, anemia, or easy bleeding.
5. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of rare, chronic blood cancers. For people with an MPN, their bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. The overproduction of blood cells by the marrow can lead to thicker blood and an increased risk of forming clots. This can cause serious health problems such as strokes and heart attacks.

This is not a complete list. There are many blood cancers within these groups.

How does the HealthTree Foundation raise awareness about blood cancer? 

The HealthTree Foundation is focusing on educating the community about the power of people supporting others. Stay tuned for educational content on precursor conditions, new tests for detecting the first appearances of blood cancer, and highlights from the most recent research in blood cancers. 

Don’t miss our free educational webinars with blood cancer experts and advocates: 

• Finding Strength After Setbacks: Real Stories from Relapsed & Refractory Blood Cancer Patients 
• Living in Limbo: Managing Risk, Care, and Clarity with a Precursor Condition
• Taking Charge After a Blood Cancer Diagnosis: What Every Patient Needs to Know

Don’t forget to visit your disease event’s page to see disease-specific webinars! 

Share our September content via social media, email, or word of mouth to your family and friends as you share about how they can also get involved in spreading blood cancer awareness! If you are joining the conversation about Blood Cancer Awareness Month on social media this month, be sure to use the hashtag #WeCareWeCure so we can help amplify your voice throughout September. 

SEE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Key HealthTree Programs to access this month 

1. Track your labs, treatments and more through HealthTree Cure Hub to stay ahead of your disease.
2. Be a part of the HealthTree Community and volunteer to join the Regional Cure Teams.
3. Contribute to the blood cancer community and get involved in the platform that powers life-saving research.