September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to bring extra attention to the more than 1.6 million people living with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other hematological cancers.
These cancers can strike people of all ages, including children and young adults. Blood cancers account for almost 10% of all new cancer diagnoses in the US every year, and are the second leading cause of cancer deaths among pediatric and young adult patients.
While survival rates have increased dramatically over the past sixty years, researchers are still searching for therapies that can lead to more and more people living longer, healthier lives.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is heavily involved in this quest for cures. Each year, they host Light the Night: a series of events across the nation designed to celebrate the lives of people with blood cancer while raising money for continued research.
With the mission of bringing light to the darkness of cancer, the events include nighttime charity walks illuminated by hundreds of paper lanterns, which have helped to raise more than $1 billion since 1993.
As a real-world data company with a primary focus on hematological cancers, COTA is proud to be a part of this movement. Last year, we raised more than $25,000 for Light the Night, including company matches. We even won the Rookie of the Year award from LLS for our participation.
This year, we’re at it again. COTA is aiming to meet or exceed that number in 2024 as our team members participate in walks around the country to raise money with their families and friends.
These community-based efforts are crucial for keeping the momentum going toward equitable, accessible, and effective treatment. Light the Night has contributed to LLS’s ability to support hundreds of research grants, provide more than $230 million in direct co-pay financial assistance to people with blood cancer, and advance more than 70% of the blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017.
COTA is deeply dedicated to this shared goal accelerating the best possible experiences and outcomes for people with blood cancers. From using the most advanced data science to augment cutting-edge therapeutic development to fostering the most fundamental human connections to uplift those affected by cancers, our team is continually taking action to bring clarity, hope, and insight to the process of developing cures.
To learn more about Light the Night and get involved in taking action to bring awareness to blood cancers, click here to find a local event from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
