World Lymphoma Awareness Day
World Lymphoma
Awareness Day (WLAD) is held on September 15 every year and is a day dedicated
to raising awareness of lymphoma, an increasingly common form of cancer. It is
a global initiative hosted by the Lymphoma Coalition (LC), a non-profit network
organisation of 63 lymphoma patient groups from 44 countries around the world.
WLAD was initiated in 2004 to raise public awareness of both Hodgkin and non-
Hodgkin lymphoma in terms of symptom recognition, early diagnosis and
treatment. Lymphoma is increasing in incidence
and is a potentially life-threatening disease. One million people
worldwide live with lymphoma and nearly 1,000 people are diagnosed with the
disease every day, but there continues to be very little awareness of the signs
and symptoms of lymphoma.
New
international survey results show that:
When asked if
they know their nodes, only half (49 percent) of people said they know what
nodes do
Although most
respondents have heard of lymphoma, 52 percent of people know very little or
nothing about it
Two-thirds (67
percent) of respondents did not know lymphoma is a type of cancer and that it
has one of the fastest growing incidence rates worldwide
90 percent of
people do not think enough is being done to fund lymphoma research
Increasing
awareness of lymphoma will allow people around the world to better recognize
its signs and symptoms, leading to earlier diagnosis and more timely treatment.
Greater awareness will also empower patients and their families to demand
specialist treatment and care from qualified lymphoma physicians as well as
gain access to the most up-to-date information, support and treatment.
Know Your
Nodes: Know Your Nodes is a public
awareness campaign created with the insight that people know little about their
lymphatic systems and, in turn, lymphoma. An international survey conducted in
2006 by the Lymphoma Coalition revealed that nearly three-quarters (74 per
cent) of people did not know lymphoma was a type of cancer and less than half
(49 per cent) knew anything about lymphoma at all. With this knowledge in mind,
the Know Your Nodes campaign was created to take people back to the basics and
learn more about their lymph nodes, lymphatic systems and lymphoma in time for
WLAD.
Know Your
Nodes engages people around the world in learning more about their lymph nodes,
the lymphatic system, and most importantly, the signs and symptoms of lymphoma.
Lymphoma’s signs and symptoms can be similar to other, less serious illnesses,
and increasing awareness of lymphoma will allow people around the world to
better recognise its signs and symptoms, leading to earlier diagnosis and more
timely treatment.
Beacons of
Hope: The Beacons of Hope program
was created in 2006 to celebrate inspiring people around the world that have
been affected by lymphoma. Lymphoma Coalition members were asked to nominate
individuals affected by lymphoma who acted as global ‘Beacons of Hope’
ambassadors. The ambassadors spread the word of hope across the world, bringing
real life experience to WLAD.
The Lymphoma
Club: The Lymphoma Club was founded
in 2010 to recognize those affected by all Lymphomas (Hodgkin's and
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) and to help raise awareness for Lymphoma. We are a
group of united warriors, survivors, families, caregivers and friends supporting
one another because together we are stronger.
History: Since its launch in 2004, WLAD has made its
mark internationally, from inspirational showcases of art in Argentina, to bike
tours in France, and patient seminars in New Zealand. The global campaign
continues to provide a platform for doctors, nurses, patient support groups,
patients and their families to share vital knowledge about lymphoma, its signs
and symptoms, and how it affects lives of thousands of people around the world.
In 2007, Lymphoma Coalition launched the Know Your Nodes campaign
internationally to help people learn more about lymph nodes, the lymphatic
system and lymphoma.
About
Lymphoma Coalition: Lymphoma
Coalition is a non-profit network organisation of lymphoma patient groups.
Established in 2003, it is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness
of lymphoma, a common form of cancer, and promoting the well-being of people
affected by lymphoma worldwide.
Our Mission
is to:
Be the global
source for lymphoma facts and statistics
Improve
awareness and understanding of lymphomas
Build capacity
for new and existing lymphoma groups.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.