Could you donate Stem Cells to Anthony Nolan? It's FREE :-)

Preganant? considering starting a family? Have you considered donating your umbilical cord blood to Anthony Nolan?

You could help save a life :-)

Please follow this link:

http://www.anthonynolan.org/What-we-do/stem-cell-donation.aspx

The service is FREE and would utilise the life saving properties of tissue which would normally be disposed of after your babies birth......something for nothing..and then some!

RR856 - The burden of occupational cancer in Great Britain - Leukaemia

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A new study into the connection between occupations and the link with various forms of Leukaemia has been published by the HSE.

HSE About HSE HSE's work Science, engineering and research Resources Research report series Research reports 801-900 RR856 - The burden of occupational cancer in Great Britain - Leukaemia RR856 - The burden of occupational cancer in Great Britain - Leukaemia


The aim of this project was to produce an updated estimate of the current burden of cancer for Great Britain resulting from occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents or exposure circumstances. The primary measure of the burden of cancer was the attributable fraction (AF) being the proportion of cases that would not have occurred in the absence of exposure; and the AF was used to estimate the number of attributable deaths and registrations. The study involved obtaining data on the risk of the cancer due to the exposure of interest, taking into account confounding factors and overlapping exposures, as well as the proportion of the target population exposed over the relevant exposure period. Only carcinogenic agents, or exposure circumstances, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as definite (Group 1) or probable (Group 2A) human carcinogens were considered. Here, we present estimates for leukaemia that have been derived using incidence data for calendar year 2004, and mortality data for calendar year 2005.



The estimated total (male and female) AF, deaths and registrations for leukaemia related to overall occupational exposure is 0.74% (95% Confidence Interval (CI)= 0-3.86), which equates to 23 (95%CI= 5-120) attributable deaths and 38 (95%CI= 8-198) attributable registrations.



This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.



Full report [1]

Assistance in the use of Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our FAQs[2] page

Teenager's leukaemia not diagnosed because equipment was switched off

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A blood specialist did not carry out a test that could have identified a 13-year-old girl's leukaemia because a crucial piece of equipment was switched off, an inquiry has heard.


Kathryn Beattie died at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on June 21, 2004, after undergoing emergency surgery for bleeding on the brain.She had been admitted to the city's Victoria Hospital the night before after complaining of mild flu-like symptoms and struggling with her speech.After a brain scan revealed bleeding, Kathryn was transferred to the Southern General for surgery, but died shortly afterwards.

Biomedical scientist Alexander McLauchlan told a fatal accident inquiry that a blood film test, which could have shown up that she had leukaemia, would have been carried out if Kathryn had been admitted to hospital in the daytime.However, after 1pm on Sundays the machine used to stain the film was switched off so that it could be prepared for use the following day.

In blood film tests, a blood sample is pressed between two pieces of glass before being stained and analysed.Mr McLauchlan said Kathryn's blood results would have prompted someone in his position to examine a blood film if the equipment had been available.He told the inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court: "They are prepared ready for staining the next morning. That's what happens every night when we are on call.

"If I looked at the blood film that evening I could have said, that looks suspicious."

However, Mr McLauchlan also said that in 2004 he did not think he would have been able to recognise acute myeloid leukemia, the subtype of acute promyelocytic leukemia which Kathryn had.

The inquiry, before Sheriff Linda Ruxton, continues.

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A poem/song written for Nathan Cook

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This poem, or perhaps song, was written on the first day of this year for local lad Nathan Cook who so tragically died only a few days ago when he developed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Written by song writter L.J Radnor from Nashville,USA.

I though it was worth sharing with you...........

smile for you

Wishing you were here, still can’t believe you’re gone
But I know that you are with us, to keep us going strong
Just to hold you once again, there’s nothing we want more
To hear your voice again, but the tears begin to fall

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

You inspired those around you, loved with all your heart
But now you are an Angel, wish we didn’t have to part
There’s not a day goes by, since you went away
That we wished with all our hearts, it was yesterday

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

All our love and kisses, are yours eternally
Wishing that you were here, where you’re supposed to be
Your memory will never fade, but as we shed a tear for you
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

You gave it all you had, until the very end
No one could have fought braver, so until we meet again
Your memory will never fade, and all that you once knew
We’ll send all our love to heaven, and share a smile for you

L. J. Radnor 01/01/12




This video was posted on Youtube recently. Has a brilliant song as it's soundtrack.....









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Leukaemia.Please learn how to spot the symptoms of this cruel disease....

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This week I heard the shocking news that a local healthy teenage boy had died from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) after initially feeling unwell for a few days during the Christmas holidays.

My two daughters attend the same school, and had known Nathan for many years. There was no warning of the Leukaemia or of the fatal outcome...it was such a tragic event. I can only try to imagine what his family must be going through right now.

How can this sort of thing happen? How can a normal, healthy teenager suddenly go from being a little off colour to being seriously ill and then die?

Well the answer is mostly due to the way that Leukaemia presents itself in the individual, in the way it mimics the effects of a heavy cold or flu. The wolf is, in the case of this disease,very well hidden in sheep's clothing.

Sadly, what happened to this young man this week has happened too many times before.Please make sure that if you have any suspicion that the cold may be anything more or you recognize any of the symptoms mentioned below give NHS Direct a call, just to be on the safe side.

NHS Direct can be called on 08454647 or click HERE to view their website. 



Symptoms that MAY indicate Leukaemia but are by no means unique to this illness.

1

Look for red pin points under the surface of the skin.

This condition is caused by blood finding its way out of the capillaries near the surface of the skin. Its technical name is petechiae. This is often due to a lowering of the platelet count due to the ongoing affects of leukemia.

2

Pay attention to ongoing fatigue and weakness in the body.

Especially in children this should be a sign for concern. Children are active and energetic, playful and full of life. Weakened children who are always in need of rest may have a serious condition. Any active human being, child or adult, who faces ongoing unexplainable fatigue is showing signs of a problem. Leukemia may or may not be the culprit, but a visit to your health care provider is in order.

3

Notice any aching or bone pain.

Leukemia affects the bone marrow and spreads out to affect the rest of the body through the blood. Do not put off getting bone pain checked out as it is one of the common leukemia symptoms. As with all cancers, cancer treatments for leukemia are most effective when the disease is discovered early.

4

Report any swollen lymph nodes or hard places in the abdomen.

In lymphatic leukemia the nodes can swell to unusual size. Note around the neck, armpits, and groin where any swelling occurs and make an appointment for a full screening if you suspect something your symptoms are more than a brief illness.

5

Keep track of repeated infections or easy bruising..

Since leukemia affects the white blood cells, the body's ability to fight off infections is dramatically reduced. Keep records of your own or your child's infections and be sure that they are not forming a pattern. Easy bruising can also be a sign of the blood's low platelet count.

Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts go out to this young mans family at this tragic time and judging by the hundreds of flowers laid both at his home and at the skate park across the road, many many others are also shocked and saddened by Nathan's passing.


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An amazing breakthrough in Leukaemia treatment may be available in 5 years.

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A simple injection to cure Leukaemia could be produced within five years after a remarkable breakthrough by a British research team.

They believe they have found a way to trigger the body's immune system to beat a disease which kills 4,000 people a year in this country. The same techniques may eventually be advanced to treat other cancers, such as breast and lung, they say.

The breakthrough follows six years of research, funded by the Leukaemia Research Fund, at London's Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College School of Medicine.

It involves two strands, firstly to 'label' the cancerous cells, and secondly to mass-produce immune cells outside the body which can then be injected to search and destroy the malignant ones. In the future, the researchers hope to use the technique to 'wake up' a patient's own immune system to destroy malignant cells without using donor cells.

Dr Hans Stauss, a tumour immunologist at Imperial, said: 'The possibilities for new treatments are enormous.' The first trial of the injection is about to begin on ten patients.

The 'labelling' was achieved by identifying a single gene which is over-active in leukaemia cells. It is referred to as WT-1. For the second strand, the researchers took white blood cells from healthy donors and isolated the few that mounted the fiercest response against tumour cells in the laboratory.

By cloning them, they were able to produce unlimited supplies of peak performance immune cells, called T-cells. In tests, the engineered immune cells specifically destroyed leukaemia cells and ignored normal cells of the same type.

'That's the beauty of the approach,' said Dr Stauss. 'It is so specific at destroying cancer cells.' He hopes to further develop the technique for after-care to ensure there is no recurrence of the cancer .The timescale is about five to six years before we see it widely used,' said Dr Stauss.

'The principle can be applied to almost all forms of leukaemia. What makes the work even more exciting is that our findings can also be applied to solid cancers, such as breast or lung cancer, where there is similar over-activity of WT-1.'

Lord Winston, director of research and development at the Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'To the best of our knowledge this is the first time in the world that anyone has identified a target which allows T-cells to selectively destroy cells that cause leukaemia.

'Such a breakthrough underlines the vital importance of long-term academic research in the production of new and desperately needed treatments.'

Every year 5,000 cases of leukaemia are diagnosed in Britain and 4,000 victims die. It can be either acute, with rapid degeneration, or chronic, a slowly progressive form of the disease.

In both cases the bone marrow of the patient produces large numbers of abnormal, fast- dividing cells which inhibit the body's ability to produce blood. Chemotherapy is the recognised treatment. Sometimes bone marrow transplants are needed

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15039/Breakthrough-leukaemia.html#ixzz1XSo8sx31


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Lee needs a Bone Marrow Donor NOW. Can you help him?

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A Facebook friend of mine has found himself in a very bad situation at the present moment. After being given the all clear from his AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia), he has just been told that the disease has come back again.

Lee Frost NEEDS a bone marrow donor NOW!. If you feel that you can help Lee, and if you are aged between 18-40 contact the Anthony Nolan Trust for testing. If you are over 40 (up to 49) contact the National Blood Service (Blood donors) .

Ask either of these services if they have any donor sessions planned in your area....if they don't....see if they can arrange one...ASAP!

Lee is based in Kettering Northamptonshire. Please, if you can do something to assist Lee in finding a donor please do it......time is of the essence folks!.

Lee is on Facebook ( Lee Van Halen Frost) if you would like to speak to him yourself, i am sure that he would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to help him :-)

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/corby/tattoo_to_thank_doctor_for_work_1_2457716

Thanks in advance.

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Researchers may have found cause of Leukaemia

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A new study may shed light into why leukemia, one of the deadliest cancers, develops in the first place.

Although leukemia is one of the best studied cancers, the cause of some types is still poorly understood, but experts in the US say a new method may make it possible for healthcare experts to discover why the disease forms.

Specialists at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania said that a newly-found mutation in acute myeloid leukemia patients could account for half of the remaining cases of adult acute leukemia which have no known origin.

Senior author Dr Craig Thompson, director of the facility, said the molecular biology of leukemia has been studied for the last 20 years and experts thought they had found most of the common genes for it.

"Now we're able to point to a distinct type of mutation for half of the remaining leukemia’s for which we didn't know the cause and between one-quarter and one-third of leukemia’s in older patients.

Every year more than 7,000 people are diagnosed with leukemia in the UK, or around 19 people every day, making it the tenth most common cancer, with more than 4,200 new cases diagnosed in 2006 alone.

The new findings, published this week in Cancer Cell, suggest that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have increased levels of a molecule called 2HG.

AML is a quick-moving, deadly cancer that starts in the bone marrow and soon moves into the blood, and the specialists found that increased amounts of 2HG stem from a mutation in one of two related metabolic enzymes, IDH1 or IDH2.

Dr Thompson commented: "If we're able to block tumours from producing 2HG, perhaps we would be able to stop the patient's leukemia."

Story found via articlebliss .Click HERE to see their website.

NICE Appraisal Of Dasatinib And Nilotinib For Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has updated its draft guidance on the use of dasatinib (Sprycel,made by Bristol Myers-Squibb) and nilotinib (Tasigna,made by Novartis) for chronic myeloidleukaemia.


Following the previous public consultation and subsequent independent Appraisal Committee meeting on 13 January 2010, both NICE and the appraisal committee agreed to split the appraisal of dasatinib and nilotinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia into two separate appraisals.

To effectively appraise a new treatment, the Committee compares it to an existing one. In this case, high dose imatinib (glivec, 600 mg or 800 mg per day) has been identified as a comparator for dasatinib and nilotinib for people who are 'resistant' to imatinib (standard treatment with imatinib (400 mg per day) has stopped working), although it clearly cannot be a comparator for people who cannot tolerate imatinib. 


To read more click HERE to view the full report on the Medical News Today Website.

An Alternative to chemotherapy for some Leukaemia patients

A new treatment could help leukaemia patients who are too weak for chemotherapy, according to a new study.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham said using a combination of the contraceptive pill and a cholesterol-lowering drug could be a safer and more effective option for patients.Some 20 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients treated with Bezafibrate and the female contraceptive drug Medroxyprogesterone Acetate suffered none of the side effects linked with chemotherapy, the scientists said.

For the full story visit the Nursing Times Webpage by clicking HERE.

Always good to hear about new less aggresssive treatments being developed.This research, i am lead to believe,was funded by Leukaemia Research.

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Marrow match found for Carlton leukaemia man

A leukaemia sufferer whose long-lost brother was ruled out as a possible bone marrow donor is to have a transplant operation.

Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust announced on Tuesday that an unrelated donor had been identified as being a match for John Gravell. Mr Gravell, of Carlton, near Hinckley in Leicestershire, used the media to track down his long-lost brother Barry in October. At the time it seemed Barry offered the only hope of providing a suitable bone-marrow transplant in a life-saving operation.

Unsuitable donor
However, tests performed after John was reunited with his younger brother indicated that Barry was an unsuitable donor. Barry Gravell came forward in response to a media appeal but on Tuesday a hospital spokesman for Leicester Royal Infirmary, where John is being treated, said: "John Gravell has now decided to proceed with a bone marrow transplant. "The unrelated donor identified as being a match for John is now being processed and health checks are being carried out. "As yet no date has been fixed for the transplant procedure, although it is envisaged it will not take place before the end of November." However, doctors said in mid-October that unless John underwent a transplant within six to eight weeks, his body would be too weak to withstand the surgery.

Urgent appeal
John had issued an urgent appeal for the 49-year-old to come forward because the brothers had not been in contact since the 1970s when Barry walked out following a row with other family members. The pair enjoyed an emotional reunion when it was revealed there was a one-in-four chance their bone marrow would match. John was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in May and underwent unsuccessful chemotherapy.

Health care was first rate. A story of excellent treatment.

This is an article written by Julie Marchant who was treated for her AML recently and decided to give credit to the people who helped her through it.

In November 2008, I developed a rash and had been experiencing very high temperatures. I visited two GP's who both diagnosed a hives-like condition. One prescribed me antihistamines and steroids, the other antihistamines and made a referral for me to see a dermatologist. I then saw my own GP, Dr Robert Wicks, still feeling very unwell, but the rash was masked by the steroids I was taking. He prescribed me antibiotics for my presenting infections.

In December 2008, I visited my GP again presenting with this awful rash

h and my health had deteriorated. I was promptly admitted by him to the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) for further investigations. I would like to thank him for that, as his swift actions undoubtedly helped to save my life. I would also like to thank him for his visit to me on Christmas Day I have little recollection of my time in MAU but I do remember a very kind lady whispering in my ear, "We are taking you downstairs to look after you". This lady, I was soon to learn, was Sharon, a member of a true professional team at the Pevensey ward.
I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia with accompanying Sweets Syndrome. I was then to learn Sweets Syndrome is a very rare condition and occasionally accompanies certain malignancies and certainly not an easy rash to diagnose at face value.
I pondered over this diagnosis as I learnt Acute Myeloid Leukaemia can kill within months or weeks if left untreated. The feelings I experienced were uncertainty, insecurity and extreme vulnerability, but I needn't have worried, because my eyes were about to be opened to what really goes on in the DGH and that is not just a few isolated cases of C.diff or MRSA.
I was admitted to the Pevensey ward where my chemotherapy began very quickly. I consider myself to be privileged to have been treated and looked after by the kindest, most dedicated team of professionals for the past six months.
I have now finished my treatment and would like to thank Dr Grace my consultant, a truly honest, popular, humorous dedicated doctor, with boundless energy, who has my highest respect and that of many others deservedly.
Sister Janice Talent played a huge part in my treatment. She is an amazing nurse, who never sits still and no task, however menial, is beyond her – a true team player and a meticulous professional. You have talent Jan and are a huge asset to your team and any patient that is looked after by you is truly honoured.
Thank you to the other nurses. A special thank you goes to Gilbert who has pampered me throughout my endless stays on the ward. Thank you to Mick, Gilbert's colleague, you have been truly kind.
I am now in complete remission and I feel totally secure in the knowledge that should my leukaemia return, that I will be given the very best of care and treatment available, by our very own local ward, the Pevensey ward. You are truly the best!

Julie Marchant
Bembridge R

Another heartbreaking story about a young teacher who had Leukaemia, but was unaware of it's presence.

Update: Tributes flood in for Miss Hinton

Tributes have flooded in for a popular teacher who died of leukaemia aged just 31.
Andrea Hinton, a PE teacher at Oakwood School, Horley, was diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia on Thursday, February 12, but fell into a coma and died later that day.

Yet again this illustrates the fact that ANYONE can develop leukaemia. It does not discriminate by age, colour,creed or fitness. Leukaemia can strike at anytime, at any age, and can and does sadly, destroy lives.

To read this story, please follow this link:

http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/horley/Tributes-popular-Oakwood-teacher-died-Leukaemia/article-702107-detail/article.html

Notable Personalities That had (or currently suffer from) Leukaemia and Lymphoma

Following on from the post about poor Jade Goody's public story about her fight with Cervical cancer, here is a list (not definitive..so if you know others, please let me know!) of celebrities that have been affected by some sort of blood cancer:

* Paul Allen - Co founder of Microsoft

* Gene Autry - Singer/Actor

* Paul Azinger - Golfer

* Jeremy Beadle - Gag/games show host and charity fundraiser (CLL)

* Ed Bradley - CBS News Anchor (60 Minutes)

* Michael Brecker (Leukaemia) - Jazz Saxophonist

* Robin Bush (Leukaemia, age 3) - Daughter of President George H.W. Bush

* Susan Butcher (Leukaemia) - Winner of Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

* John Allan Cameron (Leukaemia, Bone Marrow Cancer) - Celtic Musician

* William Casey - CIA

* Joseph Coors - Adolph Coors Brewing Company

* John Cullen - Hockey Player

* Mark Fields - Football Player

* Andres Galarraga - Baseball Player

* Tim Garton - Swimmer

* Lynden David Hall (Hodgkin's Lymphoma) - Soul Singer

* Anthony Herrera - Actor

* King Hussein - Jordanian King

* Arte Johnson - Actor

* LeShon Johnson - Football Player

* Ray Katt - Baseball Player

* Saku Koivu - Hockey Player

* Mario Lemieux - Hockey Player

* Charles A. Lindbergh - Aviator (Spirit of St Louis)

* Joe Longthorne - Singer, Entertainer (Lymphoma)

* Jeff MacNelly - Cartoonist

* Mickey Mantle, Jr. - Baseball Player

* Roger Maris (Lung Cancer, Lymphoma) - Baseball Player

* Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Nobel Laureate

* Carrie Nye - Actress

* Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) - First Lady

* Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia) - Shah of Iran

* James Myers - Composer & Co Writer of the Hit song "Rock Around the clock"

* Mala Powers - Actress

* Joey Ramone - Musician/Singer

* Steve Reeves - Athlete/Actor

* Craig Thomas - US Senator

* Paul Tsongas - US Senator

* Mr. T (Laurence Tureaud) (T-Cell Lymphoma) - Actor (The A Team)

* Maisie Walters - Daughter of actress Julie Walters

* Gene Wilder - Comedian and Actor (Willy Wonka)

* Nikos Kazantzakis - Author of the book "Zorba the Greek"

*Terry Nutkins - TV  presenter and Animal Expert

*Nora Ephron - Writer

If you know of any more well know people who have had or currently are fighting blood cancer,let me know ! :-)

Burglars steal leukaemia boy's presents

Well, we know that there are always going to be bad people in this world, but this one hits home and makes you really angry. My youngest child once asked me "Why can't just bad people get cancer ?", and I guess it has to be said that if they did, maybe cruel acts like this would stop !

A FAMILY returned from a dream holiday, celebrating their five-year-old grandson’s recovery from Leukaemia, to discover they were the victims of a devastating burglary.

Story here:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/22/burglars-steal-leukaemia-boy-s-presents-91466-22745499/