On May 28th, the world comes together annually to highlight a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of lives: blood cancer. World Blood Cancer Day (WBCD) is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and rallying support for those battling blood cancer.
Understanding Blood Cancer
“Blood cancer is a complex condition that encompasses various types of cancerous growth in the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes. This umbrella term covers diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.”[1] These diseases disrupt the body’s natural processes, causing life-threatening damage to the immune and circulatory systems.
“As diseased blood cells proliferate, they crowd out healthy cells, impairing essential bodily functions like oxygen transportation and immune response.”[1] Unlike healthy cells, cancer cells do not undergo a natural death, leading to uncontrolled multiplication and further disruption of normal bodily processes.
The Impact of Blood Cancer
“The statistics are significant: every 35 seconds, someone in the world receives a blood cancer diagnosis.”[2] This means that by the time you finish reading this paragraph, another individual’s life has been forever changed by this disease. “Additionally, blood cancer does not discriminate based on age, gender, or background.”[1] Blood cancer can affect anyone in all walks of life. This underscores the urgency of raising awareness and fostering solidarity in the fight against this relentless disease.
The Power of Unity
World Blood Cancer Day is more than just a symbolic gesture—it’s a powerful reminder of our collective strength and compassion. “Across the globe, individuals, families, communities, and organizations join forces, showing their support with the iconic red ampersand, the official symbol of WBCD.”[1]
From illuminating landmarks like the Empire State Building in vibrant red to sharing personal stories of resilience and hope, the world stands united with those affected by blood cancer. This outpouring of support raises awareness and provides comfort and encouragement to patients and their families, demonstrating that they are not alone in their fight.
Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges posed by blood cancer, there is reason to remain hopeful. Advances in research and medical technology continue to evolve treatment options, offering new possibilities for patients and their families.
Innovative approaches, such as immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and precision medicine, are revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancer. Among these, CAR T-cell therapy is a promising treatment for various types of blood cancer. “Currently, it is FDA-approved for certain forms of relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and adult and pediatric relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Additionally, CAR T-cell therapy is available through clinical trials for other forms of blood cancer.”[3]
OriGen Biomedical is honored to support CAR T technology and help turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. We are proud to be recognized as the industry-preferred choice for single-use disposables within cell and gene therapy, including CAR T therapy. At OriGen, we believe that our primary responsibility is to the patients. We offer a wide range of medical devices that are successfully employed to treat blood cancers throughout the CAR-T process. Our CryoStore Freezing Bags are used for storage and transportation. PermaLife™ Cell Culture Bags are used to grow the cells to the desired amount for each patient. Once manufactured, the final cell product is stored in a CryoStore Freezing Bag and cryopreserved with CryoPur™ Solutions. Various accessories, like our manifold sets, can be used for both open- and closed-system processing throughout the process. To learn more about CAR T therapy, visit our dedicated blog post here.
Making a Difference
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of World Blood Cancer Day is the opportunity for everyone to make a tangible difference. “By registering as a potential blood stem cell donor between the ages of 18 and 55 and in good health, individuals can become lifesavers, offering hope and healing to those facing the daunting challenges of blood cancer.”[1]
Every new registrant brings us closer to finding a matching donor for every patient in need. By joining the registry, you could be the match that saves a life—a profound and humbling opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Join the Movement
As we mark another World Blood Cancer Day, let us recommit ourselves to the fight against this daunting disease. Together, we can raise awareness, offer support, and transform lives. Join us in standing with those affected by blood cancer because when we unite in compassion and solidarity, anything is possible.
