Last year, more than 156,000 people in the United States were expected to be diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma. That works out to one new diagnoses every 4 minutes. New cases of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma was expected to account for 9.4 percent of the estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed in the country last year.

Every September, Leukemia, Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness Months helps raise awareness about these types of blood cancer and to give hope to those affected by the disease. Leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are types of cancer that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. Learn about which color ribbon to wear this month, as well as other color ribbons associated with each cancer awareness month ribbon.

Improvements in the treatment of these types of blood cancers began during the latter part of the 20^th century largely due to chemotherapy. Research has led to the growing understanding of the many subtypes for each of the blood cancers, and the differences in therapy required based on subtype.

What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a general term for many blood cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some types of lymphoma are curable, but for other types, many patients are able to keep their disease under control and have a good quality of life with medical treatment. Progress in treating lymphoma gives patients more hope than ever before.

What Is Leukemia?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the spongy center of bones where our blood cells are formed. The disease develops when blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control. The most common types are acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Other types of leukemia include hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.

Children Affected By These Diseases, Too

Leukemia affects approximately 10 times more adults than children, according to the National Cancer Institute, but it is the most common cancer among children, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia accounting for approximately 75 percent of all childhood leukemias.

The two types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma are: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Signs and symptoms could include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, upper chest, armpit, stomach, or groin
• A persistent cough or shortness of breath
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Tiredness, low energy
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itchy skin
• An enlarged spleen

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a diverse group of blood cancers that share a single characteristic in how they develop. It usually develops in the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissues, but sometimes involves bone marrow and blood.

Help To Spread Awareness This Month

Other types of blood cancers include myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Most people who are diagnosed with myeloma are over the age of 60. This type of cancer begins in the bone marrow and affects the plasma cells.

Myelodysplastic syndromes is a term used to describe a group of diseases in the blood and bone marrow. No symptoms other than fatigue or shortness of breath may occur, and may be diagnosed due to a routine exam or blood test. 

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are types of blood cancers that begin with an abnormal mutation in a stem cell in the bone marrow. This change leads to an overproduction of white cells, red cells, and platelets.

With this information, you can help to understand the people who are battling these diseases, and you can also help to spread awareness.

Donate A Car To Grant Wishes For Children With Medical Conditions Like These

Survival rates for childhood cancers are continuing to grow, but amongst all of the hospital visits, appointments, treatments, and surgeries, children battling critical illnesses have wishes that they would love to see come true. Wishes could include a family vacation, a shopping trip, or a chance to meet their favorite sports team.  

Thanks to Make-A-Wish, a child between the age of 2 ½ and 18 has their wish granted every 38 minutes, and your car donation to Wheels For Wishes can help to make this possible! Donate a car today and receive a tax deduction for your charitable contribution, plus you will feel great knowing that your donated car has helped to make a wish come true for a local child. Call [chapter_phone] or fill out an online car donation form today.

Cancer in children is rare – which is obviously a positive – yet it is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital estimates that 16,000 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 years will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,960 will die of the disease in the United States.

Every September, we observe Childhood Cancer Awareness month to help bring attention to the impact this disease has on children and adolescents. According to St. Baldrick's, almost all kids diagnosed with cancer in the 1950s died. Thanks to advances in research, about 90 percent of kids with the most common type of cancer – acute lymphoblastic leukemia – will live.

Types Of Cancer In Children

According to the National Cancer Institute, environmental causes of childhood cancer have been difficult to identify, partly because cancer in children is rare and because it is difficult to determine what children could have been exposed to early in their development.

Childhood cancer is different from cancer in adults. Typically, the cancers that occur in children are:

• Leukemia
• Brain and spinal cord tumors
• Neuroblastoma
• Wilms Tumor
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Hodgkin disease
• Rhabdomyocarcoma
• Retinoblastoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Ewing family of tumors

Symptoms To Look For

It can be difficult to recognize cancers in children. The American Cancer Society says that if any of the following symptoms or signs are present, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

• An unusual lump or swelling
• Sudden unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained paleness and loss of energy
• Easy bruising
• Limping
• An ongoing pain in one area of the body
• Unexplained fever or illness that doesn’t go away
• Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
• Sudden eye or vision changes

Support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by wearing a gold ribbon and learn about which color is associated with each cancer awareness month ribbon. By spreading awareness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, other people can also be made aware of the signs and symptoms associated with childhood cancer. Have you or your family been affected by childhood cancer? Please share your story with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages.

Help Kids With Life-Threatening Medical Conditions Find Hope

Make-A-Wish is an amazing organization that helps to grant the wishes of kids between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 who are battling critical illnesses. When you donate a car, truck, boat, or motorcycle to Wheels For Wishes, your vehicle donation will be picked up at no charge to you, nearly anywhere in the United States. Your vehicle will be recycled or auctioned off and the earned proceeds will be donated to your local Make-A-Wish.

When you donate a car, you can help a child with cancer or another medical condition in receiving their greatest wish. Simply call [chapter_phone] or fill out an online car donation form.

This July, you can make a difference by helping to raise awareness about sarcoma, including its symptoms and risk factors. Sarcoma is a cancer that affects the connective tissues in the body. Approximately 1 percent of adult cancers and 15 to 20 percent of childhood cancers are sarcomas of the bones or soft tissues. Sarcoma is relatively rare, accounting for an estimated 12,000 cases of cancer in 2015. That's why Sarcoma Awareness Month can be the perfect opportunity to learn more about sarcoma and share what you learn with friends and family who might not be aware.

July is not only the hottest month of the year in the United States, it's also UV Safety Month. This month is about helping adults and parents learn about the best ways to stay safe from harmful UV rays. What you might not know is that skin is an organ – and it's the largest one. Skin plays an important role in keeping bacteria out of the body, minimizing water loss and regulating body temperature.

When anyone – adults or children – spend too much time in the sun, the overexposure can cause serious damage to the skin, cause age spots, wrinkles and even increase the risk of skin cancer. One of the challenges of keeping your skin healthy is finding the right sunscreens to use. Your choices aren't only plentiful, they can also be confusing.

According to the Food and Drug Administration's 2015 regulations, sunscreens that pass the broad spectrum test will provide protection against both ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA). Sunburn is primarily caused by UVB, although both UVB and UVA can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging. Under the new regulations, sunscreen products that protect against all types of sun-induced skin damage will be labeled "Broad Spectrum" and “SPF 15” (or higher) on the front.

However just because you're trying to protect children, doesn't mean you need to use a "children's" sunscreen. Consumer Reports says that the FDA doesn't make the distinction between kids' sunscreen and other types of sunscreens. It also doesn't hold kids' sunscreen to higher safety standard because it's for kids.

Know What You're Putting On

According to the Environmental Working Group, several popular chemicals used in many sunscreens can pose problems if inhaled or if it penetrates the skin to reach living tissue. Mineral-based sunscreens can offer protection with more less-harsh ingredients. 

Other Great Reminders For Sun Safety 

Who wants to bother with health reminders before spending a fun day at the beach in the middle of summer? Unfortunately, the reminders really are for your protection. During UV Safety Month, take a moment to learn more about the health risks of UV light, and about ways to protect your skin and eyes.

1. Check the UV index in your area before going outside. This tool from the EPA can help you prepare better if you're spending a day in the sun.
2. The sun is most intense from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It's best to avoid being in full sun for too long during these hours.
3. Experts recommend wearing sun protection such as long sleeves, sunglasses and sunscreen, even when it's cloudy. UV light can still pass through clouds and haze.
4. If you are outside on the water or near windows, you are at risk of getting sunburned: These surfaces can reflect more UV rays onto you.
5. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of between 30 and 50. Make sure you apply it 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply it every two hours, especially when swimming.
6. You can still get sunburned in winter, especially when it's sunny and reflecting off the snow. If you are skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or just playing outside, take caution.

Protect Your Eyes, Too

Overexposure to UV light can also have negative effects on your eyes. UV light can increase your risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, growths and cancer in the eye. You also have to check your sunglasses carefully because all are not created equally. Make sure to only buy sunglasses labeled "UV400" or "100% UV protection." Darker lenses don't always mean better protection.

Donate A Vehicle To Help Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish chapters around the country are dedicated to help children with life-threating medical conditions. If you want to help their goal of granting wishes, please consider making a car donation to Wheels For Wishes, the car donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer you a great tax deduction, free towing and an easy way to support an important cause. To donate your car, boat, RV, motorcycle or other vehicle, please call [chapter_phone] or fill out our online car donation form. 

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 74,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer this year, with approximately 16,000 deaths. As one of the more common cancers in our country, a lot needs to be done to reduce its prevalence. Researchers are looking at new ways to find and treat bladder cancer, such as urine tests and, potentially, DNA tests. Research is also being done to see if certain foods, vitamins, supplements and drugs can prevent bladder cancer from returning in those who have already had it.

June 7 is National Cancer Survivors Day, a day to celebrate people whose lives have been affected by cancer. People who have beaten cancer, those who have been just diagnosed, and their families and communities can all feel hope and inspiration by celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD).

May is National Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Month, the perfect time to learn more about sun safety. Approximately 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S., making it the most common type of cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, including Actinic Keratosis, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Dysplastic Nevi, Melanoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Learn more about these specific types of skin cancer here.

Wednesday, May 6 is National Nurses Day, which kicks off the weeklong celebration of nurses, National Nurses Week, from May 6-12. If your life has been touched by a nurse or you have a nurse in the family, you know just how important nurses are in our lives. You can thank a nurse who's made a difference for you any day, but May 6 is an extra special day to show your gratitude!

The World Health Organization celebrates World Health Day on April 7 of every year. This year’s theme is food safety, helping people to ensure that the food they eat or the water they drink is safe. Two million deaths occur every year from contaminated food or drinking water, and children and infants are most at risk for suffering the tragic consequences of a foodborne disease. Also at risk are pregnant women, the elderly, and people who are battling a critical illness.

This April, take the opportunity to learn about four kinds of cancer and help spread awareness to your friends and family. April is dedicated to head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer and testicular cancer. While these cancers rarely affect children, it is possible. Cancer awareness months are a great time to learn more about the symptoms of cancer, but also the preventable risk factors. While many risk factors are unavoidable, tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for head, neck and esophageal cancer and it's never too early to teach your kids about avoiding tobacco. 

Make-A-Wish works to grant the wishes of children between the age of 2 ½ and 18 who are battling a critical illness, or who are suffering from a progressive, degenerative, or malignant condition that places the child’s life in jeopardy. Last year alone, more than 14,000 wishes were granted across the country! Make-A-Wish helps to bring hope, strength, and joy back into the lives of children, and this year during the 10^th Annual World Down Syndrome Day, you may choose to play a part in helping to grant a wish for a local child through a car donation to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. 

March is not only Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, but also Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. Learn more about these diseases, what the signs and symptoms might be, and how you can help to spread awareness during the month of March. Awareness can help to save lives! You may even wish to donate a car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish, to grant the wishes of children who may be battling these diseases.

Gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer are rare, which is why it's so important to learn about the signs and symptoms and help spread awareness. Here at Wheels For Wishes, we are helping Make-A-Wish with our car donation program, but we also love to help spread awareness about different types of medical conditions. If you don't know much about gallbladder or bile duct cancer, February is a great time to learn more and share the knowledge so that more cases can be found and prevented.

During Cancer Prevention Month, World Cancer Day is a day for raising worldwide awareness about preventing, detecting, and providing treatment for cancer. Many people around the world do not have access to information about cancer prevention or access to resources to prevent or treat cancer. That's why the Union for International Cancer Control established World Cancer Day to help spread awareness. 

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. This is a great time to become more informed about cancer prevention and even make lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk for cancer. 

Although stomach cancer rates are decreasing in the United States, it is still important to help raise awareness about this form of cancer. November is National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and there are many ways that you can help spread information about stomach cancer.

The month of November may be a time to start your holiday shopping and decide which gifts to buy for your loved ones. However, you might be more interested in giving the gift of life this holiday season. If you are in good health, you can give the gift of life by volunteering to be placed in a Registry coordinated by The National Marrow Donor Program. Patients can only be helped if there are donors available to help them, and the more donors, the better. Donors offer patients the gift of a longer and healthier life, and it’s something you will feel great about for many years to come. 

The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be 46,420 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2014 in the United States. And while this disease rarely affects children, it is possible. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to learn more about this serious form of cancer and raise awareness. While many of its risk factors are unavoidable, some are, and November is a good time to learn about them and help yourself and your children avoid these risk factors.

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it is in an advanced stage. And even when diagnosed early, pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis. That’s why it’s important to learn about the risk factors, symptoms, screening tools and prevention options so that more cases can be prevented or caught earlier.   

The month of October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month. Liver cancer can occur in both children and adults, but for a child with liver cancer, they are forced to grow up much more quickly than expected and are often unable to participate in many of the childhood activities that other children are. This October, consider donating a car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. Your car donation will help to grant a wish for a child battling a critical illness, such as childhood liver cancer. 

In 2013, there were an estimated 842 million hungry people on the planet, according to worldfooddayusa.org. The number of people in the world suffering from chronic hunger is roughly one in eight. Hunger has been a world-wide problem for decades, and it still continues, but organizations like the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations hope to eradicate the problem. One such effort was the establishment of World Food Day in 1981. World Food Day, observed on Oct. 16, is an effort to bring individuals, community groups and leaders together in educating others and working on ways to end hunger. Even if you’re not part of a community group that will be doing something special on World Food Day, there are many things you can do on your own or with your family to help strengthen your community and bring more awareness to world hunger.