Why is September Special?

Why do we need awareness? Because every 3 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. The blood cancers are a group of more than 80 separate, but related diseases, including Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Despite progress, more than a third of blood cancer patients still do not survive five years after their diagnosis. Every 9 minutes someone in the US dies of a blood cancer.

The main objective of WMDD is to thank all donors worldwide. Unrelated donors, family donors, cord blood donors, donors who already have donated, and donors who are on the global registry waiting to donate.  The campaign, which originally was held as a European event in Italy, Spain, France and Belgium, was expanded by the WMDA to a worldwide celebration in 2015.

All forms of participation for WMDD, big or small, are encouraged. Be creative and let your heart speak. Take thank you pictures with your team or donors and post them on social media or websites. WMDD would not be possible without the continuous efforts of organisations around the world, building awareness locally in order to achieve a potential donor for each patient.

Did you know that 49% of bone marrow transplants use international donations? Today, we honor the 28 million registry members worldwide.  Their commitment to helping blood cancer patients and donating marrow is truly life-saving.