No, this won’t be turning into a cancer blog after my last post about building back after cancer. I’m actually editing out my next post in the series how to build (rebuild) a freelance writing business from scratch.
However, I thought this was pretty important.
September Is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Like other causes and diseases (Breast Cancer Awareness Month, anyone), a month of awareness is supposed to bring attention to something we otherwise overlook or forget about. While Blood Cancer Awareness Month probably doesn’t get much press or PR, it’s not like you haven’t heard of leukemia, the #1 blood cancer. According to this graphic from the International Myeloma Foundation, the blood cancer I have –multiple myeloma– is #2. I guess that makes lymphoma #3. I’ve been wrong for the past year about that.
Ironically, the bigger blood cancer organization the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society leaves us out of the name in favor of #3.
I’ll get over it.
Donate During Blood Cancer Awareness Month
As usual, despite what the headlines say, awareness isn’t enough. What we really need is action. In this case, I’d like to call on my readers to donate during September.
Wait!
Don’t click away just yet. Yes, donating money is incredibly helpful and it allows these organizations to not only fund life saving research, but to help the warriors struggling with these diseases.
I’m lucky. I have an amazing support system, and high-quality care nearby. Not everyone gets to be so lucky. These organizations step in with support, rides, help with paying for treatment and medications, and other kinds of support.
So if you can, chip in a few bucks.
Donate Blood and Plasma
If you can’t, or don’t want to, donate money, there is something just as important you can donate. Blood cancer patients, often need blood transfusions as well as platelet transfusions. Since my stem cell transplant for myeloma in January, I’ve been given dozens of bags of platelets and several bags of blood. All of this comes from donors who offer their time, and their arms.
Please donate blood, and don’t just do it one time. Keep donating: monthly, weekly, every so often, whatever you can make work.