World Blood Cancer Day

I joined ELF as Head of Individual Giving in January 2025. Before this, I worked raising money for projects that tackled, amongst other things, health inequalities in communities across Africa and Asia. That role showed me how vital access to healthcare, health education and early diagnosis can be to saving lives.  

Coming to ELF, I was drawn by the same mission; helping people get the life-saving care and support they need, especially when facing something as lifechanging as blood cancer. 

Over my first few months I have learnt a lot about blood cancer and as we mark World Blood Cancer Day, I wanted to share some of these things with you, in the hope that it will raise a little awareness of this disease. So here are five things I think you should know about blood cancer. 

1. Blood cancer is more common than you think 

Most people are surprised to learn that blood cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK. There are over 100 different types of blood cancer, with many falling under three main categories: Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. These diseases effect the blood, bone marrow and immune system, disrupting how the body defends and repairs itself. The impact of blood cancer is not always visible, but it can be devasting.   

2.The symptoms are often overlooked 

Blood cancer symptoms can be easy to ignore or be misattributed to other illnesses and diseases. Symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained bruising, infections and weight loss can be misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis can dramatically improve survival, but it begins with knowing what to look for, which is why awareness is so important. 

 3.It can happen to anyone 

 Blood cancer doesn’t care about your age, your gender or your lifestyle. It affects young children, adults and the elderly. Getting blood cancer is just bad luck. This is why research is so important, so we can understand why blood cancer happens and how to stop it. 

4.Treatment has come a long way, but we are not there yet 

Thanks to years of research, treatments have improved significantly. Today, treatments like immunotherapies and targeted drugs are more effective and can be less harsh than those of the past. But there is still a long way to go. Some patients require stem cell transplants to survive and many face life-long side effects.  

 5.You have the power to help 

This is where you come in. Whether it’s donating blood, setting up a monthly gift or leaving a gift in your Will, every action counts. At its heart, supporting a charity like ELF is about belief, believing that what you do can make a difference. And it does. 

Exeter Leukaemia Fund receives no government funding and are funded entirely by donations and gifts in Wills.  

So, on this World Blood Cancer Day, I urge you to act. Let’s not wait for someone we love to be affected by blood cancer. Whether you make an appointment to donate blood, share our posts on social media or set up a regular gift, the time to act is now. 

If you can, please click to donate to ELF. Your support will make a real difference and help in the fight against blood cancer.