Each year, the months of September and October are notably dedicated to raising awareness for various types of cancer. These awareness campaigns include Childhood Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Blood Cancer (including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), and Breast Cancer, while also recognizing Ovarian Cancer, Gynecological Cancers, Thyroid Cancer, and Uterine Cancer.
Supporting Local Cancer Patients
During awareness months, there are a variety of ways to contribute, from fundraising walks to awareness events and sharing about early detection on your socials and more.
We Are Blood is intentionally recognizing these awareness campaigns because members of our community can help protect local patients battling cancer by:
- volunteering with us to ensure patients are receiving the lifesaving care they need,
- raising awareness by spreading the word to your friends and family about the need for blood and platelet donations to support local cancer patients, or
- donating blood or platelets at a We Are Blood donor center or mobile blood drive.
How Blood and Platelet Donation Helps Cancer Patients
Every day, patients in our community receive lifesaving transfusions. Many cancer patients need frequent and regular red cell and platelet transfusions as they navigate their treatments and receive specialized care.
Red blood cells are the component most frequently transfused to patients at our local hospitals because they carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Cancer patients, surgery patients, severe accident victims, and individuals with anemia are all common recipients of red cell transfusions.
Platelets are cell fragments created in bone marrow and play a vital role in blood clotting. They help to stop bleeding by adhering to blood vessel walls near the site of an injury. During chemo and radiation therapy, platelets take a huge hit, putting patients in real danger. There are also certain cancers, like Leukemia, that lower platelet counts as part of the damage done to the patient’s body. At least half of the platelets donated at We Are Blood will go to oncology patients.
Whether donating whole blood, red cell, or platelets, your single donation appointment can save multiple Central Texan lives. Learn more from Dr. Faheem Ahmed, local hematologist and transplant and cellular therapist with Sarah Cannon Cancer Center transplant at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center.
Now’s the time to act! Get involved this fall – contribute to cancer organization, raise awareness, volunteer your time, or schedule a donation – and make a difference for local cancer patients.