Every three to four minutes, someone is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer. Throughout September every year, we honor those whose lives have been devastated by this lymphatic disease. By increasing education and awareness, fighting for research advancements, faster diagnosis, and improvements in advocacy, scientists will eventually find a cure.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What is Lymphoma Awareness Month?
- When Does Lymphoma Awareness Month Take Place Every Year?
- What Colors Are Associated with Lymphoma Awareness Month?
- How Do People Acknowledge Lymphoma Awareness Month?
To honor and support loved ones in treatment, we've gathered information about the history of Lymphoma, as well as the dates and colors associated with Lymphoma Awareness Month. Keep reading to find out more and how you can participate.
What is Lymphoma Awareness Month?
World Lymphoma Awareness Day falls within National Blood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s dedicated to supporting the various challenges that patients and caregivers face while developing awareness of all hematologic cancers.
The most common of these blood cancers are lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. And lymphoma is an often overlooked disease because it shows up in the form of flu-like symptoms, which means many people wait to seek help—a reason that education and awareness have become critical for early diagnosis and survival.
Origin
Founded in 2004 by the Lymphoma Coalition, patient groups assembled and launched a global campaign for Lymphoma Awareness to connect medical professionals, patients, and families to share vital information and experiences with people worldwide.
The Lymphoma Coalition created the platform and campaign to support the disease's victims and help others learn how to support a loved one with cancer.
When Does Lymphoma Awareness Month Take Place Every Year?
The entire month of September is dedicated to National Blood Cancer Awareness Month, but September 15th is devoted explicitly to World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD).
What Colors Are Associated With Lymphoma Awareness Month?
Ribbons for Lymphoma Awareness are lime green, but the campaign for lymphoma extends throughout the month. During September, hospitals and other organizations are encouraged to use reds and pinks to light-wash hospital buildings, state buildings, and national monuments including bridges, landmarks, homes, and more.
Red or pink light bulbs then light up these locations to highlight the need for greater awareness and education surrounding the disease while also sending positive messages for cancer patients.
How Do People Acknowledge Lymphoma Awareness Month?
If you’re interested in supporting someone diagnosed with this disease, keep scrolling to find out how others commemorate Lymphoma Awareness Month here and around the globe.
Make a blood donation or host a blood drive
Donating blood in September is an ideal way for people to show support for hematological diseases. Make it a one-person event or host a blood drive and invite your friends and coworkers.
If you’ve never donated blood before, let’s walk you through the steps:
- You must answer a basic eligibility test that asks you about age, weight, and any recent health concerns.
- Bring your ID, you’ll have to show it to the staff.
- Be prepared to read information about donating blood.
- Provide them with a mailing address.
- They’ll check your health history, including questions about travel and any prescriptions you’re taking.
- They’ll take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin level.
- The staff will sterilize your skin before the donation process begins, which takes 8-10 minutes.
- While they draw blood, you’ll be seated or lying down.
- Once they’ve collected approximately one pint of blood, the staff will give you a snack and something to drink in the recovery area.
- Finally, they’ll keep you there for 10-15 minutes to watch over you before sending you on your way.
Make a financial contribution
Many people make a financial contribution in memory or support of loved ones during Lymphoma Awareness Month. Some donate and then post the receipt on social media to inspire others to follow in your footsteps.
If your birthday falls on a day within September, another option is to have a birthday donation fundraiser. Contact an organization for a link that your friends and family can use, and then remind people all month long to donate as your ‘birthday gift.”
Another way is to invite employer or company contributions. Company donations are a great way to raise extra money. Plus, when job seekers find out that a company is also philanthropic, the talent pool generally increases to match the mindset.
Not sure how to ask your company for support? Try these ideas:
- Check to see if your company already makes contributions. If they do, your idea may or may not fall in line with their support goals.
- Prepare a pitch. Spend some time making sure you’ve got as much information about the Lymphoma organization as possible, including facts, data, and info on its impact.
- Chat with the company’s community development leader or go straight to the CEO—or anywhere in between.
- Get familiar with the donation process as well as any benefits that the donation will provide the company. Include data for attracting good people with good hearts as future employees, too.
- If the boss says no, ask if you can campaign with the team.
- Finally, rest easy. You’ve just done something that a lot of people don’t do—and that makes you a kind person.
Campaign anywhere
Whatever your strengths may be, you can run, cycle, walk, swim or challenge yourself to an adventure in memory or honor of a loved one. That means you can trek to Kenya to see wildlife, join a Tough Mudder, pin on a bib for a marathon, and just about anything else you can imagine.
No matter where you are in the world, there’s probably an event you can join with like-minded people just trying to support their loved ones. Assess your strengths, passions, and abilities. Then find (or create) an opportunity to fundraise for Lymphoma Awareness.
For some inspiration, check out this website.
Patient and education support
Peer mentoring is a great way to get involved with your community. Whether you are a patient or a caregiver, you know firsthand what having Lymphoma feels like and does to your body. As a mentor, you’ll help other patients understand the disease from a personal perspective.
Often, patients will comment that having someone with personal knowledge helps them get through the process by reducing feelings of isolation.
To become a mentor, check with your hospital and determine if you can meet the guidelines set. If your hospital doesn’t have a mentoring program, then look into founding one so that others like you can find relief through communicating with someone who’s had comparable experiences.
Par for the Cure Golf Tournament in Canada
If you like to play golf, there’s probably a tournament near you where you can join in to support the cause, like the Par for the Cure Golf Tournament in Canada.
Typically, those who play register a team and then find sponsorship for the event. If you’re a great golfer, you’ll also have the chance to win prizes too.
If you’re not a golfer, you can join in any golfing tournament as a volunteer.
As a side note, if you haven’t had the experience of hanging out with some good friends on a golf course, you might be hooked after one tournament.
Light the Night Walk
Light the Night is an annual nighttime walking event where people in communities all over the nation join together to light up the night in support of friends and loved ones who’ve been diagnosed with Lymphoma.
Every year, participants raise money and awareness as they gather, honor, and celebrate lost loved ones. On the final day of fundraising, the community gathers, holds lanterns in the dark while celebrating their progress as a community on a mission.
The Light the Night Walk and mission don’t just raise money for research; they also raise money to support families needing assistance while loved ones battle their illness.
Share stories on social media
Even if you’re not the best storyteller, telling your story can help others experiencing a cancer diagnosis. Friends, family, and individuals who read your story may not feel isolated or hopeless, knowing that they’re not alone. So, no matter your platform, take to your account during September and share your story. Who knows, it may make all the difference in the world for one person—and that’s a lot.
Sign-up and stay updated
Nonprofits generally have mailers and newsletters that come out a few times a year to share news and ask for support during their campaigns. When you sign up for these emails, the information can either spark a conversation or be an excellent post for your social media account.
Supporting Loved Ones with Lymphoma
For more resources in supporting loved ones with cancer, including what to say when a loved one’s family member has cancer, Cake has lots of resources available on our blog.
Join Cake today. Our professionals are ready to help.
Sources:
- Al-Ani, Manal. "World Lymphoma Awareness Day.” SBS Radio Arabic24. SBS Radio Arabic24, 13 September 2017. www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/world-lymphoma-awareness-day
- “Be the Light that Cures Cancer.” Light The Night | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Light the Night. www.lightthenight.org
- “Cancer Stat Facts: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.” National Cancer Institute, SEER, n.d. seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/nhl.html
- “Light it Red for Lymphoma.” Lymphoma Research Foundation, Lymphoma.org, n.d., lymphoma.org
- Med Cram. “Lymphoma Explained Clearly - Hodgkins & Non-Hodgkin's Pathophysiology” YouTube, YouTube, 20 June 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtJ83qMOE_w&feature=emb_logo