Los Angeles, CA- The month of July is recognized as the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness month. During the month of July, Leukemia and Lymphoma awareness is a focus across the world, informing people on screenings, treatments and its prevalence in the world.
Leukemia and Lymphoma are described as cancerous hematologic malignancies which both involve blood. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there will be 54,791 new cases of leukemia and 22,475 deaths in 2014. As for lymphoma, the American Cancer Society estimates that 83,650 new cases and 17,930 deaths will occur in the United States in 2014. As a result of the cancers, many patients will require either a blood transfusion or bone marrow transfusion.
Retired NBA star, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, has decided to run a blood drive in conjunction with American Red Cross to support the National Awareness Month for Leukemia and Lymphoma. So far, Johnson has had a of 1,827 donors including himself and has saved about 438 patients so far.
Many people are finding it odd and a bit terrifying that Johnson is donating his blood as well since he has been diagnosed as HIV+ since November of 1991. Since then, it has been reported that Magic’s HIV cell count remains so low that it is considered dormant. Although considered dormant, the virus still lives within Johnson.
