Monument lights up red for leukaemia day

Penshaw Monument is to be lit up in red to raise awareness of leukaemia.

The landmark is one of 28 which will be illuminated across the UK to mark World Leukaemia Day today as part of national blood cancer charity Leukaemia Care’s Spot Leukaemia campaign.

The charity say the landmarks represent the 28 people who are diagnosed with leukaemia in the

UK every day.

Leukaemia is a form of blood cancer and has a significantly higher rate of emergency diagnosis – averaging 42% compared to the overall cancer average of 21%.

Emergency diagnosis is associated with a reduced chance of survival and there are nearly 5,000 deaths attributed to leukaemia every two years in the UK. The most common symptoms of leukaemia are fatigue, feeling weak or breathless, fever, bruising or bleeding, repeated infections, and joint or bone pain.

World Leukaemia Day is a chance for patients, charities and healthcare professionals to raise awareness and share stories of their experience of blood cancer.

CEO for Leukaemia Care, Zack PembertonWhiteley, said, “We’re delighted that Penshaw Monument will lighting red on September 4, for World Leukaemia Day to help raise awareness of the condition.

"This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that people are able to spot the signs of leukaemia as soon as possible. Leukaemia can be hard to spot because the signsandsymptomsarecommontomanyotherunrelated illnesses but early diagnosis saves lives.”