Breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment have made tremendous progress over the past two decades. However, the disease continues to be a significant threat to women worldwide. Plus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. We all know October is National Cancer Awareness Month, and while this is a time to spark interest and support our communities. There are many local breast cancer charities working throughout the year to assist patients and their families in treatment and recovery while pursuing a cure.
However, there is no doubt that financial donations are crucial to cancer organizations and the people and the program they support, including research to advance new treatments. However, there are many other types of donations you can make. And these types of contributions to breast cancer charities are also more valuable. Let’s explore what you can contribute to the cancer charity.
Here is the list of other types of donations that you can make to local breast cancer charities:
Donate Bone Marrow!
Maybe you know that a bone marrow transplant is also known as a stem cell transplant. It can boost survival rates for some people with cancer or even provide a cure. However, today it is simpler to be a lifesaving bone marrow donor than ever before. Bone marrow is the spongy material inside bones containing blood-forming stem cells the body needs. But certain breast cancers keep these cells from developing typically. Here, a bone marrow transplant supplants diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor.
Donate Umbilical Cord Blood!
Those essential blood-forming cells for bone marrow transplants can also be found in umbilical cord blood. However, if a lady is pregnant, she can choose to donate that blood before the cord is thrown away. However, this process is more accessible and painless, and the 5-minute donation process is safe for mother and baby. Moreover, whenever you find yourself able to donate umbilical cord blood, call the cancer foundation charity.
Donate Blood Or Platelets!
You may know that extra blood is crucial for many people with cancer, during and after treatment. So, at the time, you can donate blood or platelets to help cancer patients. The donations that you can make are like:
Whole-Blood Donation:- Approximately 1 pint of blood is collected through a vein in your arm, and it takes only 10 minutes to donate whole blood. You can donate whole blood every 56 days.
Platelet Donation:- You can donate just a portion of your blood called platelets. Platelets actually help clot blood and stop bleeding, and donating platelets needs approximately 2-3 hours. In this process, a machine is connected to both of your arms to draw blood, separate the platelets, and send the remaining blood back into your body. You can donate platelets once a week. But before donating platelets or blood, first consult with the doctor to ensure you have good health.
Donate Biospecimens!
Donating biospecimens can help advance breast cancer research. Biospecimens are specimens of materials from the human body, like blood, saliva, urine, cells, or tissues from biopsies or surgeries. Actually, researchers need samples from people who don’t have cancer and those who do. But, before donating biospecimens, don’t forget to ask your doctor how you can donate them.
Final Words!
As we talked about above, many local breast cancer charities help poor people and their families cure this disease. Cancer awareness organizations conduct several seminars to raise awareness about cancer. However, if you have any queries about cancer awareness or want to know how to donate to a cancer charity, communicate with our experts at Changing Lanes Foundation LLC.
Comments