This September marks National Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s more vital now than ever.

Much of the blood cancer research that is happening in the UK is funded by charities. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically cut into the money that these charities usually receive from the public, which means that less research can be funded – and less progress can be made.

 

How You Can Help:

We’ve listed a few events that you can take part in throughout the month to help raise awareness and much-needed funds. These events are taking place nationally and can be done in your local area, or even from home!

20 for 20

This is a collaborative fundraising event between 20 cancer charities, with a pretty simple idea – raise £20 in 20 days.

How you raise the money is totally up to you, but Lymphoma Action has handily provided a few suggestions! How ever you decide to raise the money, be sure to share on social media with the hashtag #20for20 to help raise awareness.

Blood Cancer UK’s Virtual London to Paris Cycle

This event is free to join, and you can cycle outdoors or even on an exercise bike at home!

The aim is to cycle the equivalent distance between London and Paris, raising £1 per mile. It’s a 300-mile stretch, which might sound daunting to beginners - but spread over the month, the distance is definitely achievable!

Registering through the Blood Cancer UK website will automatically create a JustGiving page so that it’s easy to raise funds – and you can track your miles on the online exercise tracker Strava. Strava will also automatically link to your JustGiving page, so your sponsors can watch your progress!

Lymphoma Action’s Bridges of Britain

On Sunday 27^th September, hundreds of people will take part in the Bridges of Britain walk, each with the aim of raising awareness and a sponsorship target of £150.

You can choose your own distance from walking for 27 minutes, 2.7 miles, or if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, 7 miles.

You also plan your own route, as long as at least one bridge is included. Lymphoma Action will be giving a prize to the person who crosses the most bridges,  so the more, the merrier!

Tickets for this event can be purchased on the Lymphoma Action website. You will also receive a Lymphoma Action T-shirt so you can raise awareness while you walk. If you plan on walking with a dog, be sure to let them know as they will also send a doggy bandana for them to wear!

Leukaemia Care’s #SpotLeukaemia

Leukaemia Care has a selection of ‘spotty’ fundraising ideas. From Spotty Dress Down Day, Spotty Bake-Off, or Spotty Games Tournaments (think Connect Four and Twister), there’s something for everyone!

It’s an easy but effective way to draw attention to Blood Cancer and the #SpotLeukaemia campaign – and raise some money while you’re doing it!

 

Blood Stem Cell Donation

Just 30% of people with blood cancer find a suitable donor within their family, so often they need to rely on the kindness of strangers.

One of the most significant ways that you can help individual people living with blood cancer is to register as a Blood Stem Cell Donor.

The registration process is simple; you can register on the DKMS website and receive a swab kit. This kit includes three swabs for the inside of your cheeks, and a return envelope so that you can send them back. DKMS will analyse your tissue type and, once your lab results have been entered into the system, you will receive a donor ID card.

If you are unable to register as a donor, you’re still able to help by donating money towards the cost of swab kits!

Someone in the UK is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer every 13 minutes. This September, you can help fund vital research and help to save lives.