World Blood Cancer Day 23

 A little blog to mark #worldbloodcancerday #thisisbloodcancer. The picture is me on my new swing in the garden. Behind me you can see a large red Kes. This was made for #makingbloodcancervisible. The art instillation was sponsored by @janssen and were displayed in Pater Noster Sq outside St Paul’s. The signs were built to the height of the person and on the flat side had a bio with each persons respective blood cancer and a bit about that person. It was a very effective and sobering experience to see all the names in the Square. 

The years that my body has been dealing with blood cancer and the effects of treatment have taken there toll. You can see the impact all over me in the scars I carry. The amazing thing is I’m still here. That’s only possible because my sister proved to be a match as there were no obvious matches for me on the registers. Did you know…?

• Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
• Despite being the fifth most common cancer, blood cancer doesn’t have anything like the public profile of the other four common cancers. Unfortunately, our recent survey found that this low awareness means people affected by blood cancer are paying the price. 
• Because blood cancer doesn’t have the same profile as the other five most common cancers, people are less likely to be diagnosed quickly.
• Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma are ALL types of blood cancer
• Currently, four out of ten UK patients looking for an unrelated blood stem cell donor will not find their lifesaving match
• Every 27 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer
• Blood Cancer Is an Umbrella Term for Cancerous Growth in the Blood, Bone Marrow or Lymph Nodes That Affect Normal Blood Cell Production or Function

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• The official symbol for World Blood Cancer Day is the red ampersand sign — which shows solidarity with those affected by blood cancer
• 4 out of 10 people in need of a blood stem cell donation worldwide are still unable to find a matching donor.
• Every year, over 70,000 people in need of a blood stem cell donation search globally for a matching donor outside of their family

So what can you do to help?

• Join one of the registers. It’s a simple mouth swab sent in the post. Anthony Nolan take people 18-30. DKMS take people 16-55. Donating if you are chosen is not hard either. It doesn’t involve and operation and is like an extended blood donation procedure as they take the stem cells from circulating blood. 
• Give blood. Many of us need blood, plasma and other blood products on a regular basis. We are only kept alive by the generosity of strangers. 
• Spread the word on social media so that more people know about blood cancer and what can be done to help. 
• Join MDS UK as a supporter or donate to the charity. It really is a small charity that makes a huge difference. 

It’s amazing that I’m still here after all these years. Many of the wonderful people I’ve met haven’t been so lucky. This world blood cancer Day make a difference. There can be no better feeling than helping another.