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Leukemia Insights, Types, and Symptoms
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells in your bone marrow – usually white blood cells.
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What is Blood Cancer? Learn About the Different Types
Blood cancer is a term used for a group of diseases that affect the body's blood cell production.
Normally, our bone marrow creates healthy blood cells that fight infection, carry oxygen, and help stop bleeding.
What Goes Wrong in Blood Cancer?
Imagine a factory making different types of cars. In blood cancer, something goes wrong in the "factory" (bone marrow) that makes blood cells. Instead of healthy blood cells, the factory starts producing abnormal cells. These abnormal cells crowd out the healthy ones, leading to problems in the body.
The Impact of Blood Cancer
These abnormal cells can cause various issues:
- Weakened Immune System: They can't fight infection as well as healthy white blood cells.
- Anemia: There might not be enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, leading to fatigue.
- Easy Bleeding: There might not be enough healthy platelets to help with blood clotting.
Why is Understanding Blood Cancer Important?
Knowing about blood cancer can help you:
- Recognize potential symptoms and seek medical attention early.
- Understand why a stem cell transplant might be a treatment option.
- Appreciate the importance of registering as a potential stem cell donor – you could be someone's hero!
Sign up for a swab kit online. It only takes 5 minutes. You provide hope. We cover the rest.
Do you need more information?
There are many ways to get involved and support our mission.
You can raise awareness, join the registry, host your own "registration" event, take on a fundraising challenge, or anything in between.
