Every 7 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with lymphoma. Yet, many people do not know much about the disease. That is why National Blood Cancer Awareness Month is so important.
New York, NY (PRWEB) August 29, 2014
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF), the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through educational programs, outreach initiatives and patient services, today kicked-off its annual National Blood Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Now in its fourth year, National Blood Cancer Awareness Month was designated by Congress to raise awareness of and support individuals living with lymphoma. Blood cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
To kick-off National Blood Cancer Awareness Month, LRF will launch its annual “Light It Red For Lymphoma” initiative. A highlight of the initiative is the red illumination of iconic landmarks across the nation to raise awareness about lymphoma and provide hope to those affected by the disease. Participating partners include: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; Shops at Columbus Circle; Niagara Falls; The Willis Tower; The Wrigley Building; Los Angeles International Airport; TD Garden; Mass Mutual Convention Center; Pacific Science Center; Boston Harbor Hotel; Houston City Hall; General Motors; Wilbur Cross Building at the University of Connecticut; State University of New York Administration Building; Virginia Beach Convention Center; The Peace Bridge; Lambert-St. Louis International Airport; Wells Fargo Duke Energy Center; I-35W St. Anthony’s Falls Bridge; Hedley District; Rundel Memorial Library; the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory; and the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. The Foundation is encouraging all people located near the landmarks to share photos of the buildings lit red for lymphoma with LRF on Facebook and Twitter.
“Every four minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, often with little or no previous knowledge about the disease,” said Elizabeth Thompson, LRF Chief Executive Officer. “As a leading funder of cutting-edge lymphoma research and medical innovation, we take this very seriously. Our Foundation is committed to providing education, resources and services that empower people to take control of their own health and help to make life more manageable for the more than half a million people in the U.S. living with lymphoma. National Blood Cancer Awareness Month allows us to shine an important light on recent progress —as well as the work that still needs to be done. ”
Throughout the month of September, the Lymphoma Research Foundation will kick-off a number of other “Light It Red For Lymphoma” initiatives including hosting a variety of local events and education programs across the nation, including the annual Lymphoma Research Ride on September 28th, 2014 outside of the Washington DC area in Montgomery County, Maryland; the Los Angeles Lymphomathon on September 6th and the Philadelphia Workshop on September 20th. A full list of upcoming events during Blood Cancer Awareness Month can be found listed on their calendar of events. LRF is also asking the general public to get involved in raising awareness about lymphoma by turning their social media profile pictures red.
Also available as a resource to those affected by lymphoma is LRF’s “Focus on Lymphoma” mobile app. The app is the first of its kind resource that provides the most comprehensive content specific to each patient’s subtype, clinical trial information and a “doctor session tool box” that allows for a singular location for patients to store information from their doctor visits including: medication reminders, symptoms trackers, and questions. The Focus on Lymphoma app is available for download in the Apple App Store and in Google Play. For additional information on LRF’s research, education, events and services visit: lymphoma.org.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded more than $55 million in lymphoma-specific research.
