Spread Awareness

Spreading awareness about bone marrow failure bone marrow failure: A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be… disease is one of the most significant ways people can help patients and the Apastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. Because these diseases are rare, it is important to educate others about aplastic anemia, MDS, PNH, and related bone marrow failure diseases. There are many easy and effective ways to help AAMDSIF spread awareness about bone marrow failure disease in your own community.  Also check out our easy fundraising ideas.

Here are some ways you can help spread awareness:

Educate  

Educate others on bone marrow failure disease.  Here are some easy things you can do to teach others about bone marrow failure disease. 

1. Educate yourself about each specific disease on our website so you learn more about what you can tell others.
   • Aplastic Anemia 
   • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) 
   • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) 
2. Distribute AAMDSIF information. Read about some fast facts you can share with others.  Share AAMDSIF information with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
3. Forward the enewsletter to everyone you have an email for – family, friends, colleagues, and your health care professional. They will learn more about these diseases, help them understand what you are facing, and might even help someone else they know who has yet to be diagnosed.
4. Use social media to educate others by posting facts and information on Facebook, Twitter, or blogs. Direct others to our Web site.

Advocate 

Advocate for your own health — and advocate for all affected by bone marrow failure disease.  Here are some things you can do to advocate.

1. Advocate for your own health.  Learn what you can do to be a strong and empowered patient for yourself or your loved one. 
2. Spread the word about bone marrow failure disease by including the AAMDSIF website link www.AAMDS.org on your email tagline, Facebook page, or other social media page.
3. Take AAMDSIF brochures to your health professionals and to those in your area. Educating nurses and doctors about AAMDSIF – especially in community oncology and hematology practices – will, in turn, help those patients they diagnose find AAMDSIF services and support faster. Request materials.

Participate 

Participate in a bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. /blood drive, volunteer at a drive, or organize your own awareness and/or fundraising event. There are many easy ways to participate in a local awareness event. Or, you can organize your own awareness or fundraising event. 

1. Organize a March for Marrow Event. With the help of AAMDSIF, organize a walk in your community to let people know about bone marrow failure disease. Whether you are a survivor, or have lost a loved one, this is a great way to raise awareness and make an impact. Learn how. 
2. Set up a grassroots awareness and fundraising page here and use this page to spread the word. 
3. Organize a bone marrow and/or blood drive. By having a bone marrow drive, you can help other patients who are in dire need of a bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is also called a stem cell transplant (SCT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).The procedure replaces unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones and offers some patients the possibility of a cure. But for many patients, a BMT is not an option due… . Distribute AAMDSIF information at the same time, and you can educate others in your community about bone marrow failure disease.
4. “Like” AAMDSIF on Facebook, Instagram and follow us on Twitter.
5. Build Your Community. Connect with others in your community to help raise awareness as part of a larger, local group. Work together with AAMSDIF staff to connect patients and families with each other to provide peer support & information exchange and to raise awareness and support for AAMDSIF programs. Connect with others.

Celebrate and Commemorate

Celebrate your or your loved one’s story.  Share your journey.

Commemorate and remember loved ones lost. Honor this memory by telling their story.

1. Create an AAMDSIF grassroots fundraising page to tell and share your loved one’s story
2. Tell your story. Share your or your loved one's experiences with a bone marrow failure disease.  Contact Julie Lowe at lowe@aamdsif.org to share your story with AAMDSIF as a Story of Hope. Use social media like Facebook to tell your story.