Blood Cancer UK

"What we’re investing here is hope for the future" After losing her husband to blood cancer, Samantha and her family wanted to make a difference. Their generous donation is now funding vital research with Dr Goedele Maertens, bringing hope to others for the future. Hear from them both about what this support means in our mission to beat blood cancer ❤️

📢‼️ The UK Government is due to publish a National Cancer Plan for England - something we have long campaigned for, and a huge win for our community. But we need your help to make sure blood cancer isn’t overlooked like it has been in the past. A public consultation is now open, and this is our chance to ensure blood cancer is a key part of future cancer strategies. Can you spare 15 minutes to share your experiences and make a difference? 🫵 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eDWp2U6a ⬅️ While the current consultation is focused on England, all your comments will shape our response, and influence future consultations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Every voice counts! 📣 You can take part if you have a blood cancer diagnosis yourself, care for someone who does, or if you are a healthcare professional.

We’re so excited for Blood Cancer UK’s Walk of Light 2025! ✨ And we know we're not the only ones, as Simon Thomas shouts out some of the incredible people taking part, and their reasons why. "Some had lost a loved one to blood cancer like me, others were walking for friends or family facing a diagnosis, and others were walking just to support. When we go through tough times, knowing we’re not alone is everything." – Simon Whether you’re joining us in Birmingham on Saturday 29th March, or walking your own route, Walk of Light is a reminder that you’re not alone if you’ve been affected by blood cancer ❤️ 💫

Clinical Nurse Specialists are the backbone of blood cancer care. Today, on National CNS Day, we’re celebrating the vital work you do! 🧑⚕️ CNSs are the first point of contact, the trusted advisors, and the constant source of support for people living with blood cancer. From providing holistic care to navigating complex treatment pathways, your role is indispensable. At Blood Cancer UK, we want to support your work. That’s why we’ve developed the referral service, so more people affected by blood cancer can access additional support when they need it most. We’ve worked with incredible CNS teams across NHS hospitals to make this happen. Could your team be next? Let’s work together to ensure every person affected by blood cancer gets the support they deserve. Find out how your hospital can get involved here 👇 🏥 https://bit.ly/3FCUmRO #NationalCancerCNSDay

The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for those living with blood cancer, including Jess who was told she was clinically extremely vulnerable, and that she could not leave the house. “It was a highly anxious time for me; I was so afraid of getting covid and then afraid what the impact would be.  The information campaign Blood Cancer UK did on how COVID-19 affects people with blood cancer, and which treatments were best for us helped me and my medical team so much.  It allayed a lot of fears and provided answers where there were none.  I will always be so grateful for the practical support Blood Cancer UK gave to so many during the scariest time of my life.” When things get tough, you’re not alone. We’re here for everyone affected by blood cancer, to provide information and support ❤️ Email us at support@bloodcancer.org.uk or you can call our nurses confidentially for free on 0808 2080 888. Our online forum is available 24/7 too.

Next week, MPs will have the chance to vote for the Rare Cancers Bill, a potential new law that will incentivise research and investment into the treatment of rare cancers. To guarantee its passage, it needs 100 MPs to support it - this is where we need your help ⬇️ Read more about the Bill and how you can contact your MP on our website -> https://bit.ly/3FdaglR

Today the government has announced that the first NHS patients in a generation have started receiving life-saving plasma from UK donors 🩸 A longstanding ban on UK plasma was lifted in 2021, allowing the country to build its own supply amid a global shortage. These treatments are expected to save 17,000 NHS patients’ lives each year, including those with blood cancer who rely on plasma transfusions to manage infections and strengthen weakened immune systems. Plasma-derived or immunoglobulin transfusions do not treat blood cancer directly but help patients fight infections and stay out of the hospital. Jill, who has non-Hodgkin lymphoma, describes plasma transfusions as life-changing. The use of UK-sourced plasma marks a major step toward securing a reliable, homegrown supply of these vital treatments, ensuring continued access for blood cancer patients to live well. If you’ve got questions about blood transfusions, contact our support service on 0808 2080 888. Full story: https://bit.ly/4bsYf7O 🔗

“To our utter surprise and relief, the stem cell match was me.” Last year, Katie found out she was a stem cell match for her brother Lee. Thanks to her, he received life-saving treatment after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Katie turned to Blood Cancer UK for information. “Before my brother’s diagnosis, our family had very little knowledge of leukaemia, the donor list, even the importance of donating blood for people with cancer. We did not for one minute think he could have blood cancer.” 💫 “Because of Lee, me and my fantastic work friends are taking on our own Walk of Light, walking 25km in Bristol on March 29th. We want to help fund vital research to beat blood cancer, for my brother and others. He recovered from his transplant well, and is now in remission.” Katie says: “If you’re thinking of signing up to Walk of Light just do it. You’ll be raising money for a wonderful charity, and you never know when you, or someone you know and love may need help from them.” Will you join Katie, her friends and thousands of others as we walk to shine a light on blood cancer? https://bit.ly/3F4mM7a 🌟

There are over 100 different types of blood cancer, but some are rarer than others. If you've been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, it might be harder to find others who have it too, or truly understand ❤️ But you're not alone. Is your type listed above? Let us know in the comments, share to raise awareness, and join the conversation in our online forum. We’ve started a new thread for people with rare blood cancers to share their experiences, connect, and support one another 👇 https://bit.ly/4ilfkmf

"The news of our best friend Katie’s blood cancer diagnosis was a huge shock to us all. We’re a close knit group, so it took time to process and accept. It’s been challenging watching Katie navigate it, all while being a mummy to her two young boys - but we’re so proud of her ❤️ As a group, we wanted to do something meaningful to show our support and raise money for the charity that’s helped Katie and her family, and make sure others can benefit from their support too. So, we’ve signed up for the Big Half 2025 as a team. Some of us can barely run a mile, and others have injuries, so it won’t be pretty! But this challenge is our way of showing Katie how loved and supported she is. Training together has been surprisingly emotional, bringing us even closer. Thinking of Katie motivates us all to keep going, and we know crossing that finish line will be a truly special moment" - Lauren, Lisa, Sam, Kate, Shannon & Kerri 💬 You can join the girls and Team Blood Cancer UK at the Big Half 2025! 🏃🏅 https://bit.ly/41lmZdo