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.
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