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News : World Last Updated: Sep 14th, 2004 - 20:42:06

Rob Lowe is Voice of First Worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day
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Sep 14, 2004, 15:34

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Rob Lowe is Voice of First Worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day
Lymphoma advocates gather to drive global awareness of one of the world’s fastest growing cancer types
(Rob Lowe and Mike McCurdy, Publisher HealthNewsDigest.com)

September 14th 2004, New York, USA;(HealthNewsDigest.com) International television and film celebrity Rob Lowe, who has experienced the impact that lymphoma can have on a family, is calling for people around the world to be aware of the disease, one of the least known and fastest growing cancer types.

“My life and the lives of many across the world have been deeply affected by lymphoma. When my father was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma we were shocked. Like so many others around the world, we had never heard of this life-threatening condition. By making more people aware of lymphoma, Worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day hopes to save lives by increasing early diagnosis and suitable treatment,” said Rob Lowe, speaking at the launch event in New York City.

Rob’s father was diagnosed with the most common form of lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in 1990. Because of this personal connection, Rob is working with the Lymphoma Coalition, a network of patient groups from around the world, to launch an annual Worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day on September 15. This global campaign aims to help people recognise lymphoma symptoms, which are difficult to identify as they are often mistaken for less serious conditions such as the flu, tuberculosis or fatigue.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. If left untreated, some types of lymphoma can be fatal within six months, however certain lymphomas are curable if treated appropriately. With well in excess of one million people living with lymphoma today, the Lymphoma Coalition estimates that approximately 350,000 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed every year.

Commenting on the campaign, Professor Philippe Solal-Céligny, Head of Jean Bernard Cancer Centre, Le Mans, France says, “In my experience, people simply are not aware of lymphoma and its symptoms. With this type of cancer, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital. If patients are treated early, many are able to live healthy and happy lives. We must help people recognise the signs of this life-threatening disease so they seek advice from their doctor.”

As part of the campaign, the Lymphoma Coalition is introducing a series of materials on its website, including a list of questions for people to ask their doctor, a Symptom Alert, and a quiz to test lymphoma awareness. The Symptom Alert and campaign materials can be accessed at www.lymphomacoalition.org

Worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day is endorsed by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). The UICC is a non-governmental organisation in official relations with the World Health Organisation.

About The Lymphoma Coalition
The Lymphoma Coalition is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of lymphoma, an increasingly common form of cancer. The Coalition hopes to improve symptom recognition globally and increase early diagnosis and treatment, thus improving the lives of those affected by lymphoma. For more information on lymphoma, or the Lymphoma Coalition please visit www.lymphomacoalition.org.

About Rob Lowe
After his father’s diagnosis, Rob Lowe learned a lot about lymphoma and how it can impact people’s lives. He and his family supported his father through the difficult time of diagnosis and treatment for lymphoma. Rob’s father is currently healthy and clear of cancer. A central member of the 1980’s ‘Brat Pack’ movement, Rob has starred in a variety of film and television projects, including the internationally acclaimed television series The West Wing (NBC). He is currently working on his next project, Dr Vegas, in which he plays a house doctor in a casino.

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