Blood cancer is the third biggest killer in the UK, according to Henry Smith MP, with 230,000 people currently affected by it.
Awareness of blood cancer is, however, low, according to research published by Bloodwise, and it is for this reason that Blood Cancer Awareness Month was created in September.
One person who was personally affected by blood cancer is dental technician, Luke Barnett, whos 21-year-old niece, Alice Byron, recently passed away after losing her battle with blood cancer.
Register as a donor
‘First of all, I would like to say thank you to the many of you who kindly signed up to the blood cancer registers late last year when we were raising awareness of Alice’s fight,’ Luke Barnett said.
‘It is such a tragedy for one so full of life and young to lose their fight.
‘Alice even managed to complete her degree from her hospital bed gaining a 2:1 in English Literature.
‘What we need to ensure now is that Alice’s death isn’t in vain and that we encourage everyone we know in the family of dentistry to make sure that they and their friends, family and colleagues are all registered as donors.
‘September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month (http://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/news/support-us-this-blood-cancer-awareness-month) so there is no better time to get the message out there.
‘For those lucky enough to be under 30, please visit www.anthonynolan.org/apply-join-bone-marrow-register and if you are aged 30-55 please visit www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk/en/register-now.’
