More about Bloodwise!

Before I had Leukaemia I have to admit that I didn't know anything about the blood cancer charity Bloodwise, formally known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society.

This post explains what the charity basically does without going into too much detail as there is so much they are involved in!  If once you have read this you would like to know more please visit their website  https://bloodwise.org.uk/

The charity now known as Bloodwise was founded in 1960 by the Eastwood family after the loss of their daughter to Leukaemia.  You can read more about this on the https://bloodwise.org.uk/ website .

So what do Bloodwise do?  The answer is lots and lots!! They raise money, research, campaign, help and support and share learning!  One of their main achievement is that the UK's blood cancer research leads the world thanks to the money Bloodwise has invested!  Today two thirds of everyone diagnosed with blood cancer will still be with us in 5 years time, in 1960 everyone died of the disease eventually!  Major advances in all cancer medication have come first from blood cancer research so changing lives even beyond blood cancer!  It was blood cancer research that proved that chemotherapy could be used to treat cancer, a finding that's given hope to millions of people across the world! 

Funds raised by Bloodwise is invested in vital research, more money means more lives saved!  Since 1960 Bloodwise have invested 500 million pounds in world class blood cancer research.    At any one time they have over 90 million pounds invested in research!  They are currently funding over 1000 researchers and clinicians over 220 active research projects!  They don't do research for research sake, only funding the very best research.  By using three expert committees they decide on which research to fund.

They focus on 5 big targets but, these are just some examples of their life saving research.  These targets are in;

1. Myeloma
2. Diffuse large B cell Lymphoma
3. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (the blood cancer I have)
4. Myelodysplastic syndromes
5. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Beating childhood Leukaemia, Bloodwise have changed the world for children with blood cancer. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer, it's in this that they have made the biggest impact.  Survival rates were 1 in 10 and now are 9 in 10!

Bloodwise campaign for blood cancer medicines, treatments and patients. They are currently working with NHS professionals and the Anthony Nolan charity to look into the quality of care for blood cancer patients as well as the post treatment needs of patients living with blood cancer.  The aim of this is ultimately to raise awareness in parliament - championing the needs of blood cancer patients! They work with patients, the government, the NHS, parliament, health care professionals, regulators and experts in the field in order to do this.  A report by Bloodwise found that thousands of blood cancer patients are missing out on essential care every year!

Bloodwise set up the Trials Acceleration Programme - TAP.  They developed this as potentially new life saving clinical trials were taking up to 10 years to actually get to a patient.  In the past life saving new treatments were getting left on the shelf.  A researcher could have a great idea but struggled to get it off the ground for various reasons.  TAP helps set up clinical trials more efficiently for example handling the bureaucracy involved so researchers can get on with their new treatment ideas. Pharmaceutical companies have supported TAP by providing 90 million pounds worth of drugs to use in the trials.  TAP has fast tracked the journey of a trial from laboratory to patient, previously it took 10 years whereas now it takes 2!  Also the cost of a patient taking part in a trial has halved!  Its attracting the attention of government and other research organisations as its a model that will work for a diseases not just blood cancer!

They fund the HMRN - Haematological Malignancy Research Network