February 28 is Global #RareDiseaseDay

Rare cancers make up 25% of cancers in total, yet 40% of deaths. This matters because many blood cancers are rare. In Australia a rare cancer means they affect fewer than 6 diagnoses per 100, 000 people in the population each year.

With about 1 in 5 rare cancers affecting the blood and lymphatic system, clinical trial research is the only way forward to progress treatments for people with blood cancer; particularly for uncommon and rare blood cancers such as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Myelodysplasia Syndrome (MDS), and Amyloidosis.

That’s what we do every day at the ALLG, clinical trials in blood cancer for better treatments, better lives, aiming for a cure.

The ALLG’s AMLM26 INTERCEPT trial study represents a world first in its design, scope and precision-based approach to AML and will be important in managing and treating patients with AML. New treatment arms and new biomarker driven domains can be seamlessly added to the trial framework moving into the future.  Learn more.

One of the themes of Global Rare Disease Day is about equity. ALLG’s research program includes areas of unmet need in rarer blood cancers and we are expanding the trials program to provide more teletrials for patients in rural and regional areas. You can read more about this in our next Edition (3) of ALLG News, which you can Subscribe to here.

Our leadership role on the National Blood Cancer Taskforce is setting the national standard of high-quality cancer care for all Australians impacted by blood cancers no matter where they live, or access treatment.

In addition, ALLG’s Rural, Regional Haematology Working Group is focused on increasing access for patients living long distances from large, city, hospitals to participate in more clinical trials.

Everyone can help in raising awareness and acting today by supporting the ALLG’s research to help end blood cancer sooner. https://www.allg.org.au/support-us/make-a-donation/