Spread Some Love During Blood Cancer Awareness Month #bloodcanceraware

Thank you AstraZeneca for sponsoring this post. September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Please visit www.ConnectedByBloodCancer.com to learn more.

Did you know that September was National Blood Cancer Awareness Month? While I am a fan of always being kind and generous to others, I would really like to Spread Some Love During Blood Cancer Awareness Month this year, as I myself now have a very personal connection to the diagnosis. Before you get upset - no, I do not have cancer myself! I am perfectly healthy...as far as I know! 

Spread Some Love During Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Just about a year ago, I found out that someone very close to me was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or CLL for short. Now, when you hear the words, "I have cancer," the first thing you usually think is (aside from OH NO and the immediate onslaught of hysterical tears), WHAT KIND OF CANCER? There are so many forms of cancer, and some forms that leave a lot more room for hope than others - fortunately, CLL is one of those forms. 

What are some ways of managing symptoms of Blood Cancer?

There are some natural as well as medical ways of managing blood cancers, and while I wholeheartedly believe in holistic wellness – it seems like yoga and wheatgrass shots just don't cure life-threatening diseases. Let's be realistic. Healthy eating and supplements can help people with some conditions or chronic illnesses a great deal! But MEDICINE is where it's at when someone's livelihood is at stake. 

CALQUENCE®(acalabrutinib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). My family member is a bit over a year into her CLL diagnosis, and so far she is doing "okay" in that her levels have not risen and she has not needed medication. Though we all know, things could get worse and we all need to be prepared. With any form of cancer, you hope for the best and expect the worse...deep down in the back of your mind.

THIS is why it is so important to spread a little love to people with forms of blood cancer! Especially with cancers like CLL, you may not always be able to visually see that someone is sick. Many of the times, they may just seem like they don't feel well or are tired. Like many chronic illnesses, it is an invisible disease for the most part...and many people do not ever really feel well enough to enjoy every day life. 

Taking your CLL medication should be as convenient as an oral capsule, allowing you to focus on the lifestyle you want. 

So what exactly is CALQUENCE?

Prescription CALQUENCE is an oral treatment for adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). CALQUENCE may cause serious side effects including: serious infections, bleeding problems, decrease in blood cell count, new cancers, and heart rhythm problems. Some may lead to death. Tell your doctor if you experience unexpected infections such as flu-like symptoms; bleeding such as blood in your stool or urine; or heart rhythm problems such as fast or irregular heartbeat. Use sun protection when outside in sunlight.

See Prescribing Information here.

CALQUENCE offers a comprehensive support system as well, so that patients can feel supported all day, all night on CALQUENCE! CALQUENCE programs offer informational emails, patient support material, caregiver support material and a Patient Savings Program.

Do you know someone with a Blood Cancer diagnosis? If you, or someone close to you, has been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, I hope that this information has helped you!