What is CML?
CML stands for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. This type of leukemia causes the rapid production of immature white blood cells. These cells inhibit immune function, decrease the body's clotting ability and limit the body's ability to transport oxygen throughout the bloodstream. These cells are similar to weeds in a garden taking valuable resources and space from the rest of the plants.
What causes CML?
CML is caused by a chromosomal abnormality on the Philadelphia chromosome.
How many people have CML?
About 5,000 people were diagnosed with CML in 2009 (Beka and Kareem Abdul-Jabar included). Currently about 22,000 people in the US are living with the disease . It represents 7-20% of all leukemia cases in Western nations.
What are the symptoms of CML?
CML often goes undiagnosed for awhile as the symptoms are fairly common. Symptoms include: fatigue, bruising, excessive sweating, low grade fever, weakness. In Beka's case, she was tired, had swollen ankles, and couldn't seem to get her feet warm. Her CML was caught during a blood test which showed an extremely elevated white blood cell count.
How do you treat CML?
CML patients are placed on a daily chemotherapy pill called Gleevec. Gleevec blocks the chromosome that causes CML and reduces the number of white blood cells, leading to remission.
What is the cure for CML?
Currently the only cure is a bone-marrow transplant which is effective 60-80% of the time. However, since the risks associated with this step are so high, patients manage their CML through Gleevec until they become resistant to the drug and go into "blast crisis" which is essentially acute leukemia. Promising steps have been made towards finding a cure, and fundraisers like this are helping researchers reach that goal.
What can I do to help combat this disease?
First off - Donate to LLS (see Donate Now)! Donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society help patients in a number of ways. They provide necessary funding for research, cover procedures that insurance may not, and offer survivors support networks. You can also raise funds while running a marathon, completing a hike, or taking on a triathlon through Team in Training (www.teamintraining.org). Finally, register your bone marrow. Go to www.marrow.org and find an event near you. If you're a match, you could provide the bone marrow that saves someone's life!
